You asked
I would like to know:
1) How much money has been paid to Pink News (either directly or via a 3rd party) in the period 2019 to present?
2) What assessment was done of the risks posed by such a partnership to the perceived impartiality of the ONS?
We said
Thank you for your request.
1)
The supplier appointed to conduct our campaigns activities was appointed following a rigorous procurement exercise in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations (2015). The prices paid to individual organisations are in accordance with our contractual agreement and are exempt under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000, as disclosure would prejudice the commercial interests of ONS and the supplier used for these advertising services.
The use of this exemption is subject to the public interest test.
Whilst we recognise arguments in favour of transparency and accountability regarding information pertaining to government public spending, we also value the public interest in our own capability to negotiate and to compete in a commercial environment.
Disclosure of the requested information would jeopardise our ability to negotiate future contracts and procurements at an advantageous price for us, which would be in the public interest as this will help to preserve public funds.
Additionally, it is also in the public interest for public authorities to be able to maintain the trust and confidence of the suppliers with which we work. Disclosure of the cost of these adverts would negatively impact a third party's ability to generate higher levels of income in the future, as their ability to experience open and fair competition for their advertising services would be compromised. This would therefore render this supplier and other companies unwilling to work with us in the future. We would therefore have a reduced pool of suppliers with which we could negotiate. This damage to our reputation therefore directly and negatively impacts our commercial interests.
We find that the public interest in withholding this information outweighs the benefit of release.
2)
The supplier appointed to conduct our campaigns activities was appointed following a rigorous procurement exercise in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations (2015). As part of this process, supplier vetting is conducted.