To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Social Media: Advertising
Thursday 4th November 2021

Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much each (1) department, and (2) regulatory body, spends on advertising on (a) Google, (b) Facebook, (c) Twitter, and (d) other social media platforms.

Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

DCMS has spent the following on advertising in FY 21/22:

  • Google - £8,962.41

  • Facebook - £10,443.81

  • Twitter - £100

  • Linkedin - £240

The Gambling Commission and the ICO have given nil returns. DCMS do not have access to this level of information for Charity Commission, Ofcom and the PSA for FY 21/22, since these regulatory bodies are not obliged to give DCMS a breakdown of their expenditure in this way.

The Department has also spent the sums below on advertising job vacancies - all costs are annual, unless stated otherwise:

  • Civil Service Jobs (to post roles to the Civil Service Jobs website): £20,826

  • Vercida (online job board where DCMS has a profile and posts content): £21,800

  • LinkedIn (costs to place a vacancy on the LinkedIn platform): £19,392

Other costs may be incurred for executive level roles where adverts are placed on online platforms, but these are agreed on an ad hoc basis.


Written Question
Football Index
Wednesday 31st March 2021

Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Jersey Gambling Commission regarding capital adequacy and stress tests carried out on Football Index.

Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government is monitoring the situation with Football Index closely and Ministers [the Secretary of State and Minister for Media and Data] have met the Gambling Commission twice to receive urgent reports. A live investigation by the Commission is ongoing. The Commission has been in close contact with the Jersey Gambling Commission throughout this case and continues to work closely with them. Further information can be found on the Commission’s website: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/news/2021/BetIndex-update.aspx

The Gambling Commission does not carry out capital adequacy and stress tests, which would normally apply to banks, or routinely monitor the financial viability of operators. It looks at suitability when licensing an operator, including their financial circumstances, and may review these aspects in the course of its compliance activity. The Commission will investigate where there is evidence that operators have breached licence conditions.


Written Question
Football Index
Wednesday 31st March 2021

Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government on what dates capital adequacy and stress tests were carried out by the UK Gambling Commission on Football Index; and what the outcome was of those checks.

Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government is monitoring the situation with Football Index closely and Ministers [the Secretary of State and Minister for Media and Data] have met the Gambling Commission twice to receive urgent reports. A live investigation by the Commission is ongoing. The Commission has been in close contact with the Jersey Gambling Commission throughout this case and continues to work closely with them. Further information can be found on the Commission’s website: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/news/2021/BetIndex-update.aspx

The Gambling Commission does not carry out capital adequacy and stress tests, which would normally apply to banks, or routinely monitor the financial viability of operators. It looks at suitability when licensing an operator, including their financial circumstances, and may review these aspects in the course of its compliance activity. The Commission will investigate where there is evidence that operators have breached licence conditions.