Our Ref:        FOI-2879-2425

Thank you for your request received on 9 December 2024 asking for information about “political and social” advertisements that have appeared on the London Underground.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked:

The number of advertisements classified as “political and social” displayed in the London Underground during 2024. For the purposes of this request, “political and social” advertisements refer to those related to public policies under discussion or topics of political and public interest, rather than commercial products, services, or corporate promotions. For example, earlier this year, there were billboards related to the discussion of assisted dying, which is the type of advertisement I am referring to.

If Transport for London categorizes this type of advertisement under a different name, I request that my inquiry refer to that category instead. 

Specifically, I request:

1.    The total number of such advertisements displayed during 2024, broken down by month

Please see the attached list of all the campaigns that have run this year under the Government Social Political Organisation category, as classified by our advertising partner. 

Please note that the information provided is for the number of campaigns (a campaign is an individual booking that could be an individual site or multiple sites) that have run on TfL rail services (including London Underground) and not the number of advertising posters that have been displayed on the network during a particular time period as that is not information that we hold. Our advertising partner does not store data at that level and this would require them to manually review every campaign to obtain this information. All adverts which run on our network must adhere with TfL’s advertising policy, Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Guidance and Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) Codes. All advertisements on our network are reviewed on a case-by-case basis against our Advertising Policy.

2.    The subject or theme of each advertisement

Details of campaigns are not stored at that level so we do not hold information about the themes of the individual campaigns.

3.    The amount of money spent on each advertisement

4.    The name of the natural or legal entity that paid for each advertisement

We do not hold this information. 

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.

Yours sincerely 

Gemma Jacob

Senior FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

foi@tfl.gov.uk