FishNChipPapers

Email: [FOI #2913 email]

Our reference: FOICR 10212/08

7 October 2008

Dear FishnChipPapers,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your email of 9 September in which you ask for information on the marketing budget for the National Identity Scheme.

We are now in a position to offer a full reply to your request.

I am pleased to be able to disclose the information that you requested to you.

1) The value of the contract with M&C Saatchi and the activities

     that are the subject of that contract

We understand that the release of this information would facilitate accountability and transparency in the spending of public money. However whilst public interest exists in the disclosure of the value of the contract, this information cannot be disclosed as the terms of the contract are strictly commercially confidential. Under section 43(1) and section 43(2) - Commercial Interests of the Freedom of Information Act the contract value is exempt from release. The release of the contract value may affect the commercial position of both the Central Office of Information and their suppliers. Although it should also be noted that no marketing activity has been undertaken.

M&C Saatchi is an advertising agency that provides advertising services to the Home Office. M&C was appointed to work with the Home Office on ID cards and the recent Point Based System campaign in line with rules governing the awarding of government contracts. We have a long standing relationship with M&C dating back to 2004. This particular piece of work is a natural progression of the immigration brief focused towards business. Businesses rightly expect they will have all the information they need from the Home Office about how the card will work.

2) The budget for the

     marketing campaign to begin in November

The final costs for the campaign has not been finalised, but we will do whatever we can to ensure that businesses have an opportunity to fully understand what the new cards will mean for them.

3) The budget allocated for

     the MyLifeMyId.org initiative

We believe that the information that you have asked for is already reasonably accessible to you. It can be accessed on the Identity and Passport Service website at http://www.ips.gov.uk/passport/publications-research.asp

Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act exempts the Identity and Passport Service from complying with the duty to supply you with this information on the grounds that it is already in the public domain. Should you have difficulties in accessing this information by the means listed above please do not hesitate to contact me again.

However if you are dissatisfied with this response you may request an independent internal review of any aspect of our handling of your application by submitting your complaint to the address below quoting reference FOICR 10212/08 :

Information Rights Team
Information and Record Management Service
Home Office
4th Floor, Seacole Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF

Email: [email address]

During the internal review the department's handling of your information request will be reassessed by staff who were not involved in providing you with this response.

Should you remain dissatisfied after this internal review, you will have a right of complaint to the Information Commissioner as established by section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act.

In keeping with the spirit and effect of the Freedom of Information Act, all information is assumed to be releasable to the public unless exempt. The department therefore, will be simultaneously releasing to the public the information you requested together with any related information that will provide a key to its wider context.

I hope that you find this information of interest, and would like to assure you that you have been supplied with all relevant information that the Identity and Passport Service holds.

Yours faithfully,

On behalf of James Hall, Chief Executive

Identity and Passport Service

Passport Adviceline: 0300 222 0000 (24 hours a day, seven days a week).

Email us at [email address]. Visit our website at www.ips.gov.uk.

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Headquarters

Parliamentary & Correspondence Management Team

8^th Floor, Globe House

89 Eccleston Square

London

SW1V 1PN

Tel (0300) 222 0000

Fax (0870) 336 9175

Email [email address]

Web www.ips.gov.uk