PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Social Media (21 February 2022)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in his Department are managing ministerial social media accounts as either (a) their primary responsibility or (b) as part of their role.

Asked by:
Fleur Anderson (Labour)

We are now in a digital age, where social media and digital communications are an essential part of government, helping inform the public directly about matters which may affect their lives or interests.

In addition to the Civil Service Code, the Government Communications Service offers propriety in digital and social media guidance and is available to discuss questions relating to social media when working with ministers.

Defra employs an in-house social media team to use digital channels and create content to communicate departmental policies online. It is often appropriate for content relating to Government policies, guidance and announcements, created by civil servants, to be amplified or posted on other channels including ministers' own social media accounts where this helps drive wider engagement from the public.

Answered by:
Victoria Prentis (Conservative)
4 March 2022