Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much his Department spent on (a) focus groups and (b) polling services in 2021.

Research and insights into United Kingdom public attitudes enables the government to listen to the views of taxpayers and customers, tailoring the delivery of public services to suit the needs of its users, and ensuring that communications are targeted and effective, and improve people's lives.

In 2021, the total expenditure on research, including focus groups and polling services, was £164,171 in the central Department and £449,765.50 in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities which includes the former Public Health England until 1 October 2021.