To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the timetable is for changes to the Guidance on Local Authority Publicity; and whether an impact assessment has been produced in relation to its potential effect on local newspapers.

The recent consultation on proposed changes to the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity closed on 12 March and the Department is currently considering the responses. The outcome of the consultation will help us decide what if any changes are to be made to the publicity code, and it will be at this point that we will undertake any impact or regulatory assessment before finalising the decision.