MSPs have been debating whether or not to lift the obligation on councils to publish public information notices in newspapers. It is estimated that advertising costs for public information notices cost the taxpayer £6 million a year in Scotland. The Scottish Government is running a consultation on the matter at the request of Scotland’s local authorities.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament (Thursday 28 Jan), SNP MSP for Glasgow Bob Doris asked for all parties to engage constructively with the consultation. Mr Doris raised concerns about the current system as well as pointing out the potential pitfalls of lifting the current statutory obligation.

Mr Doris said: "Our local newspapers play a vital role within the community and I think the whole issue needs to be looked at from a wide angle. New initiatives need to be considered which could enhance the role of newspapers in publicising public information notices.

"I am wholly committed to supporting our network of local newspapers. As an MSP who covers the whole of Glasgow I rely on them as a valuable source of community information and I know my constituents do also.

"UK Government research has shown that as little as only 2% of newspaper readership get information from public information notices. That should start alarm bells ringing. I do however think that any switch directly to internet publishing may marginalise some sections of the community who may be less likely to access the internet. For instance 80% of women of working age use the internet but that falls to just 33% for those aged 60 to 75.

"Only 60% of Scottish households access a local newspaper and public information notices are clearly not read widely. I have suggested a number of reforms which could assist the wider reading of these notices including making notices far more readable, perhaps using spot colour and graphics and signposting readers to other sources such as the internet or a council hotline for further information.

"Reform is clearly needed but the consultation must ensure that any changes take account of widening access to information and does not diminish the role of our local newspapers."