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Councils 'spin budgets' condemned Council 'spin budgets' condemned
(about 8 hours later)
Councils across Britain are spending an average of more than £970,000 per year on publicity, a campaign group says.Councils across Britain are spending an average of more than £970,000 per year on publicity, a campaign group says.
The TaxPayers' Alliance, which obtained the figures, called for cuts in "propaganda and spin doctors".The TaxPayers' Alliance, which obtained the figures, called for cuts in "propaganda and spin doctors".
The 445 authorities to provide figures spent more than £430m on running press offices, promoting services and paying for adverts in the last financial year.The 445 authorities to provide figures spent more than £430m on running press offices, promoting services and paying for adverts in the last financial year.
But the Local Government Association said it was "absurd" to suggest such spending was a waste of money.But the Local Government Association said it was "absurd" to suggest such spending was a waste of money.
This is the second time the TaxPayers' Alliance has examined town hall's spending on publicity, using statistics obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. This is the second time the TaxPayers' Alliance has examined town halls' spending on publicity, using statistics obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
It said the average spend was up nearly £18,000 on last year and that the figure had doubled over a decade.It said the average spend was up nearly £18,000 on last year and that the figure had doubled over a decade.
Chief executive Matthew Elliott said: "It is incredibly disappointing that, despite the economic downturn and the loss of millions in Icelandic banks, local authorities are still spending nearly half a billion pounds a year on publicity.Chief executive Matthew Elliott said: "It is incredibly disappointing that, despite the economic downturn and the loss of millions in Icelandic banks, local authorities are still spending nearly half a billion pounds a year on publicity.
"In the middle of a recession, councils need to cut back on propaganda and spin doctors and deliver savings to taxpayers." BIGGEST SPENDING COUNCILS Birmingham - £9,200,000Liverpool - £7,540,000Surrey - £6,200,000Bradford - £6,016,000Kent - £5,683,000Manchester - £5,118,000Sunderland - £4,926,854Southwark, London - £4,776,000Essex - £4,775,000Lincolnshire - £4,716,121 Source: TaxPayers' Alliance"In the middle of a recession, councils need to cut back on propaganda and spin doctors and deliver savings to taxpayers." BIGGEST SPENDING COUNCILS Birmingham - £9,200,000Liverpool - £7,540,000Surrey - £6,200,000Bradford - £6,016,000Kent - £5,683,000Manchester - £5,118,000Sunderland - £4,926,854Southwark, London - £4,776,000Essex - £4,775,000Lincolnshire - £4,716,121 Source: TaxPayers' Alliance
Its report revealed that while just under half the councils had cut spending on publicity - saving taxpayers £25m - the remainder had spent more.Its report revealed that while just under half the councils had cut spending on publicity - saving taxpayers £25m - the remainder had spent more.
Six of the 445 authorities that provided figures spent more than £5m on publicity and the spending of 133 topped £1m.Six of the 445 authorities that provided figures spent more than £5m on publicity and the spending of 133 topped £1m.
The biggest spending councils were Birmingham (£9.2m), Liverpool (£7.5m) and Surrey (£6.2m).The biggest spending councils were Birmingham (£9.2m), Liverpool (£7.5m) and Surrey (£6.2m).
However, a spokesman for the Local Government Association, which represents more than 400 councils in England and Wales, said: "People need to know how to access the £100bn worth of vital services that councils provide every year.However, a spokesman for the Local Government Association, which represents more than 400 councils in England and Wales, said: "People need to know how to access the £100bn worth of vital services that councils provide every year.
"Lumped into advertising figures are statutory notices that councils by law have to advertise, such as job adverts or site notices for planning applications."Lumped into advertising figures are statutory notices that councils by law have to advertise, such as job adverts or site notices for planning applications.
"The amount makes up 0.0043% of councils' total spend.""The amount makes up 0.0043% of councils' total spend."
Shadow Communities Secretary Eric Pickles warned that the bill was likely to increase because the government was loosening regulations on town hall publicity.Shadow Communities Secretary Eric Pickles warned that the bill was likely to increase because the government was loosening regulations on town hall publicity.
Under accounting rules for town halls, publicity is defined as "any communication, in whatever form, addressed to the public at large or to a section of the public".Under accounting rules for town halls, publicity is defined as "any communication, in whatever form, addressed to the public at large or to a section of the public".