Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department spent on press and public relations in each financial year since 2019-20.

Government departments rightly have an obligation to work with and support the media in their reporting.

Like any large organisation, they will employ staff to work with journalists, to help communicate their work and policies to the public.

This is primarily carried out by media relations staff employed by departments. Like all areas of government spending - costs are reviewed regularly to ensure value for money.

The Government Communications Service works with all central government organisations to ensure that, where taxpayers’ money is being spent on government communications, it is cost-effective and reflects best practices.

Cabinet Office spend on press and public relations since 2019-20 are below. These figures represent the departmental spend on the Cabinet Office press office (including pay and relevant contracts):

• 2019/20: £976,994.11

• 2020/21: £1,185,192.91

• 2021/22: £1,111,282.00

• 2022/23: £1,181,350.41