DWP Central Freedom of Information Team
e-mail:
freedom-of-information-
xxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx
Our Ref: FOI2019/12109
5 April 2019
Dear Alexander Tiffin,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information (FoI) request received on 23 March. You asked:
I am writing to request how much was paid to the production company of Channel 4
programme Gogglebox for their collaboration with you.
This is in regards to the collaboration with Gogglebox which was promoted by Amber Rudd
and also your Director of Communications
The service advertised was the workplace pension.
Furthermore, I request to know if any DWP input was given on the scripting of this advert.
Were the participants told or briefed in anyway about the workplace pension prior to filming?
DWP Response:
I confirm that we hold the recorded information to answer your request.
A.
I am writing to request how much was paid to the production company of Channel 4
programme Gogglebox for their collaboration with you.
The production company of Channel 4 programme Gogglebox was paid £315,000 for their
work with DWP.
B. Furthermore, I request to know if any DWP input was given on the scripting of this advert.
Were the participants told or briefed in anyway about the workplace pension prior to
filming?
Gogglebox features real families not actors and their conversations are unscripted. However,
as with any commission regarding communications activity, DWP provided Gogglebox’s
production company with context and background information – in this case about the
Workplace Pension campaign.
If you have any queries about this letter, please contact the Department quoting the reference
number above.
Yours sincerely,
DWP Central FoI Team
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Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act
If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing
freedom-of-information-
xxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, Caxton House, Tothil Street, SW1H 9NA. Any
review request should be submitted within two months of the date of this letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the Information
Commissioner’s Office for a decision. General y, the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have
exhausted our own complaints procedure. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF
https://ico.org.uk/Global/contact_us or telephone 0303 123 1113 or 01625 545745
