Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if her Department will undertake an investigation into the (a) commissioning and (b) approval of the Government's Universal Credit Uncovered advertisements that were published in The Metro in May and June 2019.

The Department takes its responsibility to ensure people understand the benefits they may be entitled to seriously. Officials went to great lengths to ensure the factual accuracy of the Metro partnership through extensive consultation within the Department. They also consulted with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and their sister organisation team the Committee of Advertising Practice prior to the launch and continued to do so throughout the campaign lifetime.

The Department did not intentionally mislead the public through the partnership and whilst disappointed with the outcome, they have provided assurance to the ASA that the advertising that was the subject of their investigation will no longer appear in its original form.

Following the ASA ruling, the Government Communications Service reviewed the actions taken by DWP throughout the advertising partnership and was satisfied that they did not intentionally mislead the public. However, we continue to recognise the importance of working closely with the ASA to inform future campaigns and establish best practice.