AMBER Valley MP, Nigel Mills, has criticised Derbyshire County Council for using public money to spread "political propaganda" through a new leaflet.

It follows the posting of a council tax flyer by the authority to every household in the county which claims that households in Derbyshire are getting £55 less in Government funding when compared to Hampshire.

But the Government confirmed this week that each home covered by Derbyshire County Council will receive £70 more than their equivalents in Hampshire over 2015/2016.

It is thought that authorities at Matlock could have broken the code of conduct which says publicity on central government policies and proposals should be 'balanced' and 'fair.'

The Conservative Group at Derbyshire County Council has now written to Eric Pickles – Communities and Local Government Secretary – asking him to intervene.

It is not the first time Mr Mills has taken the authority to task over wasteful spending.

Last year the Conservative MP revealed Labour figures at the council had splashed out £150k of taxpayers' money to hire London-based PR consultants to offer advice on messaging and communications.

The Campaign Company was founded by a former Assistant General Secretary of the Labour Party.

Nigel Mills said: "Labour coming up with these half-baked figures is bad enough but then to post them out to every household really is unacceptable.

"It is completely right for the Conservative Group to lodge an official complaint as taxpayers are having to fund this political propaganda which is more at home in North Korea than North Wingfield."

"Maybe the County Council should remind local people about the thousands of pounds they have wasted on paying off their Chief Executive, upping Cabinet pay and hiring spin doctors."

"It is hardworking families who then have to pick up the bill with council tax rises.

"This whole episode shows once again Labour isn't up to the job of governing in a responsible manner at either a local or national level."