Paul Holmes (Chesterfield, Liberal Democrat)

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much was spent by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills on marketing itself during its existence.

Patrick McFadden (Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills; Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills brought together the science, innovation, higher and further education agendas together for the first time.

In order to promote the new Department, it spent a total of £171,441. This included two events for stakeholders and delivery partners, a leaflet to explain the training offer for businesses and the inclusions of DIUS stands and publicity at key events for employers and universities.

In addition the Department spent £953,911 on the creation of a new website. This included the design of both an initial website launched shortly after the creation of the Department and a later improved version. This total covers the purchase of hosting and content management system as well as project management and content migration (i.e. staff) costs.

As well as promoting the Department these activities were also used to inform employers and individuals of the support services it funds to help them. These continue to be managed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.