Question
Asked by
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the UK Border Agency spent on (a) external public relations consultants, and (b) public affairs consultants, in each of the past three years; and for what purposes. [HL2285]
The UK Border Agency has spent the following (see table attached) on external public relations consultants in the past three years.
The UK Border Agency has not spent anything on public affairs consultants in the past three years.
Amount Purpose 2007-08 None identified N/A 2008-09 £251,270 Use of partnership marketing agency overseas to promote compliance with visa requirements by foreign nationals. 2009-10 £126,226 Specialist international PR support to produce customer information material to support rollout of the new points-based system. Production of material for overseas deterrence campaigns, for example to warn applicants about making forged and fraudulent visa applications.