Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many staff of his Department are employed in media relations and communications roles; and how much has been spent on the salaries of such staff members.

The Department for International Trade became a legal entity in November 2016. The department currently employs 15 civil servants in media relations and communications roles. From November 2016 to February 2017, £253,566 has been spent on their salaries.

UK Export Finance currently employs 6 civil servants in media relations and communications roles. From November 2016 to February 2017, the spend on their salaries was £70,188.