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Written question asked by Ruth George (Labour) on Monday, 14 October 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 17 October 2019 (named day). It was answered by Will Quince (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 October 2019 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Department for Work and Pensions: Metro Newspaper

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the letter of 31 July 2019 from the Minister for Family Support, Housing and Child Maintenance placed in the Library disclosing the cost of the Department’s partnership with Associated Newspapers, if she will provide (a) costs of the advertising consultancy and (b) all other costs incurred in the Universal Credit Uncovered advertising campaign which ran in May and June 2019 in The Metro and online.

Answer

We are the biggest Government Department with a day to day operation on which around 22 million citizens depend. The Department has a responsibility to communicate policy and essential information to claimants and other key audiences.

The Metro partnership was designed to increase understanding of Universal Credit and ensure people have the right factual information they need to make a claim and understand their potential entitlement.

We went to great lengths to ensure the factual accuracy of the campaign through extensive consultation within the Department, including the Government Legal Department. We also consulted with the Advertising Standards Authority Copy Advice Team prior to the launch and continued to do so throughout the campaign lifetime.

The letter of 31 July 2019 placed in the House of Commons Library disclosed the full cost of the Department’s partnership with Associated Newspapers. There were no advertising agencies, consultancy or additional costs associated with the campaign and detailed planning was taken forward by Departmental officials.

We have already shared a copy of the memo of 2 May 2019 from the Director General of Universal Credit and Director of Communications to DWP staff with the Work and Pensions Select Committee but can also commit to placing a copy in the House of Commons Library.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
316
Session
2019-19
Related items
Deposited Paper DEP2019-0984
Thursday, 17 October 2019
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Advertising Costs Department for Work and Pensions Internet Universal credit Metro (newspaper)
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk