TfL advertising spaces Westminster and St James' Park tube stations
Request ID: FOI-2767-2324 Date published: 01 December 2023
You asked
Hi there,
In addition to the above, I would like to add a further set of questions relating specifically to Westminster Tube and St. James' Park Tube. This request falls under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
1. Which companies took out advertising space in Westminster tube station in 2022?
2. How much did each company that took out advertising in Westminster tube station in 2022 spend on purchasing that space?
3. Which companies took out advertising space in Westminster tube station in 2023 so far?
4. How much did each company that took out advertising in Westminster tube station in 2023 spend on purchasing that space?
5. Which companies took out advertising space in St. James' Park tube station in 2022?
6. How much did each company that took out advertising in St. James' Park tube station in 2022 spend on purchasing that space?
7. Which companies took out advertising space in St. James' Park tube station in 2023 so far?
8. How much did each company that took out advertising in St. James' Park tube station in 2023 spend on purchasing that space?
If some parts of this request are easier to fulfil than others, please could you share these answers when they are ready rather than delaying the whole request.
We answered
TfL Ref: 2767-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 3 November 2023 asking for information about TFL advertising spaces at Westminster and St James’ Park Tube stations.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked a set of questions relating specifically to Westminster Tube and St. James' Park Tube in connection with advertising by oil and gas companies.
Your questions and our replies are as follows:
Please note the following:
In February 2023, the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) issued environmental guidance about ‘carbon neutral’ and ‘net zero’ claims in advertising to ensure advertisements are not misleading. TfL now requires all advertising copy relating to fossil fuel extraction, or copy submitted for brands associated with fossil fuel extraction, to be referred for consideration. In addition, TfL requires all advertising copy which includes an environmental claim to be referred for review. Advertisers must ensure that their advertising complies with the latest CAP Code and ASA guidance, and TfL asks its media partners to continue to verify compliance. CAP advice must be sought on all advertising related to fossil fuel extraction and environmental claims prior to coming to TfL for consideration.
Oil and Gas isn’t a category that either of our media partners record data by, so a manual search has been carried out to extract this information, therefore there is a possibility that some companies may have been missed from the list provided below.
For the station specific questions, the information shown does not show any details for general distribution bookings, and only for companies who specifically asked for Westminster and St James’s Park. Campaigns that are booked as general distribution do not have their locations recorded so we cannot provide details of these.
Which companies took out advertising space in Westminster tube station in 2022? In 2022 BP, EDF and Shell ran advertising campaigns at Westminster station
How much did each company that took out advertising in Westminster tube station in 2022 spend on purchasing that space?
In accordance with the FOI Act we are not obliged to supply data on individual advertisers and their spend as this is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). The disclosure of the negotiated rates would prejudice our ability to maximise future revenue from advertising. These figures are subject to negotiation with each advertising partner, and the disclosure of any negotiated rate would prejudice our ability to maximise future revenue from advertising.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that we are able to obtain the best value for public money outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes. We also consider that in this case the public interest supports withholding this information in order to protect our advertising revenue as we reinvest every pound of income in the transport network, to the benefit of fare and tax payers. Through sustained investment we are improving the transport network for the millions of people who rely on it every day.
Which companies took out advertising space in Westminster tube station in 2023 so far? So far in 2023, BP, EDF and SSE have advertising at Westminster station
How much did each company that took out advertising in Westminster tube station in 2023 spend on purchasing that space? Please see our answer to question 2 as above.
Which companies took out advertising space in St. James' Park tube station in 2022? In 2022 Shell and British Gas ran advertising campaigns at St James’s Park station
How much did each company that took out advertising in St. James' Park tube station in 2022 spend on purchasing that space? Please see our answer to question 2 as above.
Which companies took out advertising space in St. James' Park tube station in 2023 so far? No Oil or Gas companies have taken campaigns out specifically at St James’s Park station this year
How much did each company that took out advertising in St. James' Park tube station in 2023 spend on purchasing that space? Please see our answer to question 2 as above.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
