Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has spent money on social and digital influencers since July 2024.

Today’s media landscape is unrecognisable compared with even a decade ago, and the way the public receives information and communicates has changed drastically in this time. Government has a duty to engage with the public where they are, using channels and voices they trust to ensure all citizens can access government services, information and support - meeting audiences where they are.

The total spend since July 2024 is £114,831.95, which includes agency and wider fees.

Social media content creators are paid fairly for their services, time and expertise in content creation. Their work reaches people directly on the channels they use daily. Without targeted campaigns to inform the public on subjects like renters’ rights reform or social housing tenants’ rights, millions of citizens would miss out on the services and support to which they are entitled. Guidelines for influencer and content creator marketing were created by the Government Communication Service and first published internally in November 2023.