Edinburgh Evening News: Tax watchdog welcomes probe into city's PR bill

THE Taxpayers' Alliance today welcomed a forthcoming independent review of the city council's public relations department.

The measure, which is designed to ensure that communication workers are delivering a cost-effective service, was announced in the Lib Dem/SNP administration's budget.

According to figures published recently by the Taxpayers' Alliance, the local authority spends more on publicity and spin doctors than any other council in Scotland. It spent £3.37 million on public relations in 2006/7 – up 118.4 per cent on 1996/7.

Mark Wallace, campaign director of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "If this is a genuine review that is seriously looking to make savings, it is great news for Edinburgh's taxpayers.

"People deserve to know how their money is being spent, and taxpayers should be allowed to make up their own minds as to whether their local council's spending is justified."