From the archive: SNP vows to cut back ‘brochure blitz’

Published on 28/01/2013 00:00

29 January, 2008

MINISTERS have vowed to cut the cost of official publications in Scotland as it emerged the total bill is now running at 
£10 million.

The Scottish Government has pledged to make £2m of savings over two years. Reducing the number of glossy reports, making some publications available only online and cutting down on reprints are among the key measures.

But critics have questioned the SNP’s commitment to reducing the “brochure blitz” and warned of the dangers to democracy of reducing access to official reports and consultations.

Some 1,300 official publications were produced in 2006-7. John Swinney, the finance minister, insisted all publications aimed at the general public would still be available in hard copy, subject to a nominal charge of postage and packaging.