Politicians call for extended newspaper rates relief
Click here for more news from the Airdrie and Coatbridge AdvertiserFormer journalist Mr Simpson told fellow MSPs that a vibrant newspaper sector was “essential for local democracy” and said: “The commitment to continue to invest in Scottish news publishers has not been renewed; by contrast, the UK Government’s initial package of £35 million has been extended twice to a total of £77m.”Trade minister Ivan McKee said newspapers had been supported in other ways including through the spending of £3m on public health publicity last year, which he said had a particular focus on the local press.He said: “We see advertising support as being the most effective way to direct resources into the sector – it enables support to be targeted more