To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which public affairs firms have been given contracts by (a) his Department and (b) public bodies sponsored by his Department in the last five years; and what the purpose was of each contract. (118444)

The Department uses private sector contractors to deliver public relations and promotional work in support of communications campaigns on benefits, pensions and other departmental delivery areas. These contractors may include public affairs advice and strategy as part of their offer to private sector and other organisations but the Department does not use these services.

Information on public bodies for which the Department is responsible is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.