PR firm paid more than £600k to promote Scotland’s LEZs – Scottish Business News

A MANCHESTER-based public relations firm banked more than £600,000 in just 38 days to promote new Low Emission Zones (LEZ) across Scotland.

Republic of Media, which also has an office in Edinburgh, ran the campaign on behalf of the Scottish Government from February 22 until the end of March this year.

It’s in addition to the £1.5million already paid out to other PR firms to promote LEZs.

The controversial new measures have been in place in Glasgow for a year with business criticising the impact they have on footfall, while in some location, air quality has worsened.

The PR campaign was put in place by Transport Scotland to “raise awareness and make sure businesses and households are prepared for LEZ enforcement beginning in Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh in summer 2024”.

LEZs came into force in Aberdeen and Edinburgh on Saturday, June 1, 2024, as well as in Dundee two days prior.

Thousands of cars are now no longer compliant with the zones, effectively locking them out of city centres.

Drivers who take non-compliant vehicles into city centre’s face £60 fines, which is doubled each subsequent time (capped at £480).

A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: “Through our communications work more than nine out of ten people are now aware of Lezs.”