Council spends £7,000 on video saying it has no money
Liberal Democrat councillors condemn 'expensive and self-serving' decision
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Haringey council spent £6,800 on a video explaining how it had been badly hit by severe budget cuts.
The animated video, aimed at the borough's residents, said that government cuts had pushed the Labour controlled council "to breaking point".
"It's vital that we work with you to ensure that every penny we spend goes on things residents need and value," the video adds.
The 15 Liberal Democrats who also sit on the council have criticised the spending decision.
“The police are a service that is needed and valued by Haringey residents. Expensive and self-serving pieces of publicity like this video are not," said Paul Dennison, a Liberal Democrat councillor.
"In fact, they are an insult to everyone struggling due to overstretched public services."
“Haringey spends £1.4 million a year on publicity. Some of this goes on useful things like advertising jobs or encouraging people to become foster parents.
"But too much goes on what amounts to Labour councillors promoting themselves.”
The Liberal Democrat councillors are calling for the council's publicity budget to be capped at £1m a year.
"This would save taxpayers £400,000 a year," the group said in a statement.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments