London boroughs have hit back at claims they are turning on their local newspapers with more editions of their own publications. Hammersmith & Fulham LBC's publication, H&F News, went from monthly to fortnightly in May, and Greenwich LBC's magazine, Greenwich Times, has gone weekly. The move has prompted criticism from the Newspaper Society and newspaper publisher, Trinity Mirror, that councils are using taxpayers' money to take on the competition. ‘H&F News reaches 84,694 homes and businesses, whereas the three other newspapers in our borough do not even reach 5,000 homes between them,' said Hammersmith & Fulham LBC leader, Stephen Greenhalgh. ‘With a £250m budget it is imperative that we communicate to residents how we are spending their money. ‘We also have a role to promote local community groups, business, sport and art, which we do very successfully.'
