RE your Comment column “Fairness in austerity” (Echo, Aug 26) about accusations of political bias made against The Northern Echo since the General Election.

I think a regional/local newspaper such as the Echo has probably got the political balance right when, over a period of time, all the political parties complain they do not get a fair hearing.

I have to say the two local newspapers that I read (the Echo being one) do appear to be fair and balanced on political reporting.

As to the same column’s reference to the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) report on the coalition Government’s Budget being regressive and hitting the most vulnerable in society – the IFS is highly respected in the world of statistics and economics, hence the media gave its observations a high news profile. The BBC had the IFS report as its main news item throughout the day on Wednesday.

Councillor George R Dunning (Labour), Leader, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.