Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Native Advertising in UK Newspapers: Departmental Spending

Thursday 25 March 2021 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department has spent funds on paid advertising in up to 600 newspapers across the UK since January, including support for 105 Scottish titles that reach over half the population of Scotland.
  • The Minister did not directly address the question of paying for an advert in the East Lothian Courier, instead inviting the questioner to support a local candidate.
  • The Minister stated that there is no evidence of flouting the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) code and that they are willing to investigate any complaints.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Law SNP Dundee Central
Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Procedure
Context

Concern over government expenditure and its transparency regarding advertisements in UK newspapers.

Question

How much his Department has spent on native advertising in UK newspapers since the end of the transition period. The questioner wants to know about the specific financial details of these ad campaigns and their impact.

Answer from Michael Gove

We have spent funds on paid advertising in up to 600 newspapers across the UK since January, including 60 titles predominantly directed towards ethnic minority communities. We also supported 105 Scottish titles that reach over half the population of Scotland. Regional and local newspapers received at least 60% of the funding from January to March 2021. All titles in the press partnership were selected independently by OmniGov. Spending on gov.uk is published monthly as part of Government transparency arrangements.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a specific amount spent, only a description of how funds are allocated and used.

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Q2 Kenny MacAskill
Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Food producers in East Lothian are facing additional costs, paperwork and procedures due to Brexit.

Question

Would the Minister care to pay for an advert in the East Lothian Courier setting out the facts of Brexit, not the fiction that has been promoted in other paid outlets and adverts?

Answer from Michael Gove

The hon. Gentleman is welcome to come to Haddington to support Craig Hoy, a strong voice for East Lothian at Holyrood. However, he does not directly address the question of paying for an advert in the East Lothian Courier.

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to paying for an advertisement setting out facts about Brexit.

How: Redirecting

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Q3 Martyn Day SNP
Brexit
Context

Concern that the Government's advertisements focus on a limited number of companies rather than a broader range.

Question

In relation to these native adverts regarding the so-called benefits of Brexit, why are only certain companies highlighted?

Answer from Michael Gove

There is a limitless list of businesses that believe the Government's approach is right. However, he does not address which companies are highlighted or if others would be willing to comment on the benefits of Brexit.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide details about why certain companies were chosen and whether other companies could speak on the matter.

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Q4 Stewart Hosie SNP
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Concern over Government advertisements not clearly identifying themselves as such, potentially misleading the public.

Question

Why have the Government chosen to flout the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) code by omitting their identity in ads?

Answer from Michael Gove

I have been furnished with no evidence of flouting the code. However, if there are complaints, we will investigate them. He also notes that the Scottish Government spends money on advertising in newspapers like The Press and Journal and The Courier.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not confirm or deny whether they were flouting the ASA code, instead noting if there are complaints, they will investigate.

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Q5 Stewart Hosie SNP
Standards & Ethics
Context

Further concern over Government advertisements not clearly identifying themselves as such, potentially misleading the public.

Question

Why have the UK Government chosen to mislead the public by omitting their identity in ads?

Answer from Michael Gove

I am happy to put my name and that of the UK Government to all this material. We work in conjunction with devolved Administrations to place content appropriately, including during the covid pandemic. The Scottish Government also advertises in newspapers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the specifics of ASA code compliance and whether they are misleading the public by omitting their identity.

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Q6 Chris Law SNP Dundee Central
Brexit
Context

Concern that the Government needs to buy news stories to promote Brexit, suggesting it is a failing project.

Question

Does the Minister not agree that needing to buy news stories for Brexit indicates its failure?

Answer from Michael Gove

No, I would not say that. We work with devolved Administrations to place content appropriately, including during the pandemic. He and I will disagree on policy questions, but we agree on keeping media vital.

Not addressed: The Minister did not address whether promoting Brexit through advertisements indicates its failure.

How: Redirecting

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