The Department for Communities and Local Government has issued a notice to five London councils warning them that Secretary of State Eric Pickles might take further steps against their council-run newspapers. Good.
Councils shouldn't be wasting our money on 'Town Hall Pravdas', local propaganda rags handed out for free. They amount to unfair competition for real local papers and government officials should restrict themselves to providing only facts and information, even if the outlets are not subsidised with our cash.
It's good news that the Government is taking action. Greenwich, Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest should cut back their spending on spin, declare a War on Waste and give the savings back to residents by cutting Council Tax.