Taxpayers funded coaching for ministers to promote their controversial welfare cuts to the general public
Taxpayers funded the training ministers underwent when they were trying to sell their unpopular welfare cuts to the public, it can be revealed.
Official records show £12,000 of public money was given to PR giant Freud Communications, whose chairman backed Labour at the election.
The cash was given by the Department for Work and Pensions to provide ‘media training for six ministers to be able to deal confidently in front of TV and radio’.
It signed the two-month deal just as the Government began to ‘roll the pitch’ for the hugely controversial £5billion cuts to sickness and disability benefits.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, an MP since 2010 and former Labour leadership contender, did a round of interviews with four of the main broadcasters on the day she presented her reforms to the Commons.
Last night shadow paymaster general Richard Holden told the Mail: ‘Labour splashing thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ cash on vanity media training to defend their shambolic and rushed welfare cuts tells you everything you need to know about this Government.
‘They are clearly more concerned with massaging their egos, and protecting their reputations then delivering.’
John O’Connell, TaxPayers’ Alliance chief, said: ‘This is a completely unacceptable use of taxpayer cash, even putting aside the dire straits the economy is in.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall used tax-payer’s money for ‘media training for six ministers to be able to deal confidently in front of TV and radio’
Disabled activists protested last week against the controversial cuts to the benefits
Shadow paymaster general Richard Holden said Labour ‘are clearly more concerned with massaging their egos, and protecting their reputations then delivering’
‘It’s certainly no surprise that ministers are scrambling for media training as they increasingly struggle to defend their Government’s failing agenda.’
It is only the latest contract arranged for Labour ministers to enjoy taxpayer-funded training since the election.
The Treasury also used Freud Communications – whose chairman Matthew Freud was one of dozens of business leaders to sign a letter to The Times before last year’s election claiming: ‘Labour has shown it has changed and wants to work with business to achieve the UK’s full economic potential.’
Details provided to Parliament show the Treasury has spent £9,700 ‘on media training for members of the ministerial team’ since last July.
A government spokesman insisted: ‘It is perfectly routine for ministers to receive media training, and this has occurred extensively under previous administrations.’
