‘Right to record’ given protection

The move will stop any council trying to prevent filming on grounds such as health and safety.

Mr Pickles, a former leader of Bradford Council, said: “Half a century ago, Margaret Thatcher championed a new law to allow the press to make written reports of council meetings.

“We have updated her analogue law for a digital age.”

He added: “Local democracy needs local journalists and bloggers to report and scrutinise the work of their council, and increasingly, people read their news via digital media.

“There is now no excuse for any council not to allow these new rights.

“Parliament has changed the law, to allow a robust and healthy local democracy.”