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Written question asked by Clive Lewis (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 March 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 24 March 2017 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Friday, 24 March 2017. A substantive answer was provided by Chris Skidmore (Conservative) on Tuesday, 25 April 2017 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Government Departments: Evening Standard

Question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Government spent on advertising in the Evening Standard newspaper in the last financial year for which information is available.

Answer

In the full 2015/16 financial year, government spending on advertising in the Evening Standard newspaper totalled £297,037 (spending on print advertising and digital advertising where it was bought directly). This equated to approximately 0.22% of all media buying for government advertising in that financial year.

I am aware of the comments that the Hon. Member has made in the media on the appointment of the new editor of the Evening Standard. I would note that any spending on advertising is in line with the Government Communication Service’s Propriety Guidance. In addition, departmental Accounting Officers have a particular responsibility for the propriety of using public resources for advertising, as well as for the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of their use. The resources employed should be proportional to the objectives or policy of the programme involved and justifiable on value-for-money grounds. I believe this provides an appropriate system of checks to avoid any conflict of interest and ensure taxpayers’ money is properly spent.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
68738
Session
2016-17
Related items
Government Departments: Evening Standard
Thursday, 27 April 2017
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Advertising Government departments Evening Standard
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk