You asked
Please may you release the number of individuals travelling inbound an outbound for medical tourism in 2019 from the IPS.
We said
Thank you for your request for data from the International Passenger Survey (IPS).
You have requested estimates of international visits for medical purposes in 2019, both to the UK by residents of other countries, and visits overseas by UK residents.
Unfortunately, the final figures for overseas travel and tourism in 2019 have not yet been published, so we are currently unable to provide them. However, they will be published shortly, on 22nd May at 9.30am. The information requested is therefore regarded as exempt according to Section 22 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, whereby information is exempt from release if there is a view to publish the information in the future.
This exemption is subject to a public interest test. Whilst we recognise the desirability of information being freely available, we also acknowledge that public authorities must have the freedom to be able to determine their own publication timetables. This allows them to deal with the necessary preparation, administration, and context of publication. Furthermore, public interest is best served through the public having confidence that the information published by ONS is accurate and final. Release on an ad-hoc basis would not achieve this aim and will cause unnecessary confusion if they were to be misrepresented. In this case, exempting the information clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
We are happy to send you the figures requested on the day of publication.
Please note that the estimates are compiled on the basis of visits, rather than individuals, and it is possible for one person to complete more than one visit.