Request ID: FOI-2961-2223 Date published: 08 March 2023
You asked
I would like to know how much has been spent or will be spent each month in 2022 and 2023 (including forecasts or budgeted amounts) on advertising relating to the proposed ULEZ expansion. In particular, I would like to see spend on radio advertising showing the breakdown by radio channel? Thanks.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-2961-2223
Thank you for your request received on 14 February 2023 asking for information about the cost of advertising the expanded Ultra-low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require. You asked:
I would like to know how much has been spent or will be spent each month in 2022 and 2023 (including forecasts or budgeted amounts) on advertising relating to the proposed ULEZ expansion. In particular, I would like to see spend on radio advertising showing the breakdown by radio channel?
In 2022 TfL ran a public consultation on the proposed ULEZ expansion June-August 2022. When we run a consultation we look to raise awareness of this with all of the diverse communities that may be impacted by the proposed changes. By doing so we hope to receive feedback from these communities to help us in making the best decisions regarding the future of our projects, programs and policies for London’s transport. A key part of raising awareness, particularly where a proposal impacts people over large parts or all of London, is how we use marketing to promote the consultation. For these large consultations we often use press, digital and radio advertising to ensure communities are aware of what we are consulting on, when we are consulting and how to respond to a consultation. The table below provides the breakdown by month and includes some media activity related to the outcome of the consultation in December 2022 for all actual spend.
Total advertising spend including radio
Radio spend
2022
January (actual spend)
£0
£0
February (actual spend)
£0
£0
March (actual spend)
£0
£0
April (actual spend)
£0
£0
May (actual spend)
£0
£0
June (actual spend)
£63,132.29
£12,568.58
July (actual spend)
£143,486.38
£58,972.47
August (actual spend)
£243,907.68
£33,386.19
September (actual spend)
£0
£0
October (actual spend)
£0
£0
November (actual spend)
£0
£0
December (actual spend)
£2,850
£0
In January 2023, TfL launched a multi-channel campaign to raise awareness of the ULEZ across all London boroughs following the Mayor of London’s decision to progress with the expansion. The campaign targets drivers to raise awareness and to explain who is affected, where the expanded zone will operate and how the scheme operates including hours of operations, daily charge and how to pay. The campaign aims to encourage vehicle checking to help drivers prepare ahead of when the scheme expands from 29 August 2023. The table below also provides the breakdown by month for actual and forecasted spend. The campaign will enable TfL to reach over 3.3m vehicle owners in London six or more times as well as 6.5m vehicle owners in the home counties six or more times so those who drive in London are aware of the upcoming expansion including boundary and how the scheme operates.
Total advertising spend including radio
Radio spend
2023
January (actual spend)
£335,114.51
£73,647.28
February (actual spend)
£402,863.96
£63,904.28
March (actual spend)
£488,661.69
£82,517.28
April (forecast spend)
£387,179.10
£81,898.98
May (forecast spend)
£432,896.66
£90,377.23
June (forecast spend)
£261,035.14
£90,377.23
July (forecast spend)
£507,774.74
£33,388.86
August (forecast spend)
£713,807.40
£61,125.56
September (forecast spend)
£534,631.06
£66,777.73
October (forecast spend)
£44,476.93
£19,520.52
November (forecast spend)
£27,923.96
£5,652.17
December (forecast spend)
£22,271.79
£0
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to provide information on the spend by each radio station as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2) – prejudice to commercial interests. In this instance the section 43(2) exemption has been applied as disclosure would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests as well as those of our media partners, by affecting our ability to achieve best value from our advertising estate as we are still to negotiate and book media. 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 can benefit the public purse by achieving the best value from our advertising estate outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes. If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free 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
