A political row has erupted over the �1,200 cost of a Haringey Council poster advertising a fund set up to tackle inequality.

Lib Dem equalities minister Lynne Featherstone photographed the controversial hoarding at Westminster Tube station this week and has criticised it as a waste of money.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP said: “Haringey Council complains that it has no money for key services yet it seems it can spend money advertising at what must be one of the most expensive sites in London. What is the Council playing at?”

But the Labour-run town hall has hit back, insisting the �1,200 paid for securing the spot was value for money as they are trying to attract consultants to spearhead the council’s research into social inequality.

Finance boss councillor Joe Goldberg said: “The advert clearly does not publicise council services, nor ask for comment as Lynne Featherstone claims.

“It seeks to attract new ideas from among the brightest and most influential policy makers to help us tackle inequality and improve services in Haringey. In that sense, it’s a good sign that Lynne has noticed the advert.

“It is a shame however that as local equalities minister, Lynne Featherstone continues to outright dismiss a fund directly set up to tackle the root causes of inequality and improve how we deliver services to residents.”

The 1.5million One Borough One Future fund has been set up to help shield Haringey residents from the rising tide of inequality which some have associated with the government’s budget cuts.