Multiple outlets report that David Lammy’s ministry pays a total of £176,000 to social media influencers to promote Labour policies. The reporting says the arrangement involves online content creators producing promotional material intended to increase public awareness of the government’s policy agenda. According to the coverage, the funded promotion includes references to the ministry’s “soft justice” measures. The articles describe the payments as coming from public funds and frame the work as part of a broader communications or public engagement strategy using influencer marketing. While the reports emphasize concerns about the use of taxpayer money for influencer promotions, they do not provide, in the supplied excerpts, additional details such as the number of influencers involved, the specific contracts, selection criteria, or measurable outcomes. The information presented focuses on the headline figure of £176,000 and the purpose of the influencer activity: promoting Labour government policies, including the department’s soft justice approach.