A COALITION of more than 100 organisations has congratulated a Burton MP for backing a new Bill aimed at greater transparency over public spending.

Janet Dean has signed a House of Commons Early Day Motion in support of publishing reports detailing how taxpayers' money is spent locally.

She has also backed the Sustainable Communities Bill, a law that requires the Government to help councils protect local services, such as post offices and shops.

The coalition, called Local Works, has thanked the MP for her backing.

Local Works includes the Association of Chief Police Officers, Citizens Advice Bureau, the Countryside Alliance and Friends of the Earth.

Local Works campaign co-ordinator Steve Shaw said: "People want to see how their taxes are spent in their communities.

"We therefore congratulate Janet Dean."

Mrs Dean said: "It has never been more important to involve people in decision making. The Sustainable Communities Act does just that, by putting local people in the driving seat on the action the Government takes to improve their communities, because local people are the experts on their own problems and the solutions to them."