The News Media Association has urged the government to take “swift legal action” against councils publishing fortnightly newspapers in defiance of official guidelines after an apparent climbdown by ministers.

The trade body for the regional and national press has written to Communities Secretary Sajid Javid, pictured, to seek assurances on the matter.

The NMA’s intervention comes after it was revealed that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government had scrapped a deadline for two councils, Hackney and Waltham Forest, to comply with the guidance.

Mr Javid had previously threatened both authorities with court action for publishing newspapers more than quarterly, but has been accused of “going soft” on town hall pravdas by local newspaper editors working in Hackney and Waltham Forest following the deadline’s withdrawal.

Hacknet Council’s fortnightly title Hackney Today covers an area already served by the Hackney Gazette and Hackney Citizen, while Waltham Forest News is published in an area already served by both the Waltham Forest Guardian and Waltham Forest Echo.

In a letter to Mr Javid, NMA deputy chief executive Lynne Anderson wrote: “Having campaigned long and hard against council newspapers, we are deeply concerned that the government may be retreating from its clear position on closing down these publications, known as town hall pravdas, which have been exposed as nothing more than pernicious propaganda and a waste of taxpayers’ money.

“All local authorities which flout the publicity code and use public funds to compete for scarce advertising revenues with independent local newspapers must be stopped or councils across the country which have complied with the code will take this as a sign that they can relaunch their council newspapers with impunity.

“It is clear that both councils have had ample opportunity to respond to the government. According to the directions issued in November, Hackney council had then made nine representations dating from April 2014 through to September 2017, while Waltham Forest council had made seven representations between April 2014 and October 2017.

“Independent local newspapers are the only voices holding local authorities to account but they face tough economic conditions with many fighting for survival.

“We seek assurances that the government will take swift legal action to stop Hackney, Waltham Forest and other remaining council newspapers to ensure that the undoubted progress which has been made to remove this blight on local democracy is not fatally undermined.”

MHCLG declined to comment on the NMA’s letter, but has previously said it is “considering what next steps to take.” HTFP has approached both Hackney Council and Waltham Forest Council for a comment.