§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much(a) his Department and (b) each agency and non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department spent on (i) advertising and (ii) information campaigns in each year since 1995–96; what his estimate is for 2003–04; and if he will make a statement. [149722]
§ Maria Eagle[holding answer 21 January 2004]: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001. Between that date and March 2003, the Department spent a total of £35,031,354 alerting people to their rights, responsibilities and entitlements through information campaigns. Of this sum, £18,788,328 was 602W spent on advertising using television, radio, cinema and press media. Expenditure by the Department, broken down by year is in the table.
The Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies use advertising for various reasons, ranging from public information and recruitment to advertising opening hours of local offices. On each occasion, national and/or regional media may be used as well as various local newspapers. A breakdown of expenditure by agency and non-departmental public body could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
£ Total publicity costs Advertising costs June 2001 to March 2002 22,727,979 13,787,594 April 2002 to March 2003 12,303,375 5,000,734 Total 35,031,354 18,788,328 Notes:
1. Machinery of Government changes during the period 1997 to 2001 mean that like-for-like figures are not obtainable without disproportionate cost. During this time communications activity was accounted for under different systems in the agencies, Headquarters and the Department for Education and Employment, part of which transferred to the Department for Work and Pensions.
2. All costs exclude VAT.
3. Advertising costs are total publicity costs excluding all production costs.
4. Information campaigns costing under £250,000 have not been included as a disproportionate cost would be incurred in compiling these figures.