Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how much his Department has spent on promoted content on (a) Twitter, (b) Facebook and (c) Instagram in each month since June 2017.

Digital advertising is a cost-effective way for the government to share important information the public needs to be aware of.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) buys media space through its appointed media buying agency, Carat. Carat data shows that the department has purchased media space to the value of £333,165 with these platforms since June 2017, which amounts to approximately 0.1% of overall annual communications spend across Government this year. Ad hoc spend may not be included in this amount.

DIT uses these platforms and other social media channels to communicate with specific target audiences on government approved campaigns.