§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department spent on advertising campaigns in 2000–01. [160113]
§ Mr. RookerThe Department has spent £21,150,000 on advertising campaigns for the financial year 2000–01. The figure includes advertising, supporting literature and other material, telephone response lines, research and some direct mail for the following campaigns: Minimum Income Guarantee; pensions education; inherited SERPS; Winter Fuel Payments; Bereavement Benefits; anti-fraud; and New Deal for Lone Parents. This is a very small amount (around 0.02 per cent.) of the amount paid out in benefits. As not all invoices have yet been cleared the final confirmed figure may vary, but the variation is expected to be minimal.
The figures given in recent parliamentary answers regarding advertising expenditure may vary, depending on whether advertising costs or advertising campaign costs have been requested. Inevitably the inclusion of helpline, literature, and other related costs will result in higher top-line figures than advertising costs alone. For example, the spend on advertising media and production alone for 2000–01 was £18,429,000.
I have become aware of an error in a recent answer on advertising expenditure to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 7 March 2001, Official Report, column 233W. The correct information is as follows. I have written separately to the hon. Member about this matter, and placed a copy of the letter in the Library.
Advertising, media and production costs £ Year Cost 1997–98 1,430,698 1998–99 4,671,862 1999–2000 2,788,062 2000–01 18,429,000 Average Yearly Cost 6,829,905