Pickles takes aim at "propaganda on the rates" lobbying

The Communities Secretary has pledged to stop local authorities hiring lobbyists, describing the practice as “propaganda on the rates” and “corrosive”.

Eric Pickles said he will launch a consultation on changes to the Local Authority Publicity Code, which guards against campaigning with public funds.

The guidance will be strengthened “to stop taxpayers’ money from being spent on private lobbying contractors to persuade the public or government to take a particular view on specific policies”, the Department for Communities and Local Government said.

The Communities Secretary has already ordered the DCLG’s quangos – such as the Audit Commission, Ordnance Survey and the Tenant Services Authority – to cancel their contracts with lobbying firms.

The government will continue to conduct business with local government through existing direct channels, the DCLG insisted.

Eric Pickles said: “Taxpayer-funded lobbying and propaganda on the rates weakens our democracy. So-called town hall newspapers are already closing down scrutiny from independent local papers. Now lobbyists are being used to sidestep transparency laws and shadowy figures are peddling more regulation and special favours.

“Local activism and localism don’t need lobbyists. If local politicians want to change the way government operates, their council should send a letter or pick up the phone. Councillors can campaign for change at a personal or party political level, rather than throwing away other people’s council tax on the corrosive and wasteful practice of government lobbying government.”