Pounds and Pounds More Government PR in Britain

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"Spending on [British] Government spin has trebled under Labour," reports Graeme Wilson, "and taxpayers are now supporting an army of more than 3,200 press officers." Moreover, "the amount being spent on Government advertising, marketing and public relations has risen three-fold since" Tony Blair became prime minister, to £322 million last year. "Critics have expressed concern that Government spending on advertisements and public relations tends to peak in election years, prompting suspicions that Labour is using public money to sell its key policies to voters." Britain's Central Office of Information defended the spending, the details of which were released by the Conservatives, by saying the Labour government is "radical and reforming" and must "explain its policies, decisions and actions" and "inform members of the public about their rights and liabilities."