Government is 'blowing £270m a year on army of 6,500 spin doctors'

Labour is being urged to slash the 6,500-strong army of government spin doctors instead of cutting public services.

New figures reveal that some Whitehall departments and quangos are employing more than 100 civil servants in press offices, marketing and social media.

With an average salary of £41,800, it could mean the total annual bill for the 6,500 staff in the Government communication service is a staggering £271 million.

And the costs to taxpayers of the state spin machine are set to rise further still as the Government is advertising a £1.7 billion contract for media and advertising.

Last night, Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart told the Mail: ‘This is an absurd waste of taxpayers’ money.