Some U.K. council jobs deemed 'laughable'

NEWCASTLE, England, April 19 (UPI) -- Some jobs created by city councils in Britain and Scotland are "laughable" despite being an apparent drain on local resources, a pressure group says.

TaxPayers' Alliance Chief Executive Matthew Elliott faulted local governing bodies such as the Newcastle City Council in Britain and Scotland's Angus Council for their make-work efforts, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

"There has been a huge boom in the number of unnecessary and bizarre jobs in local government in recent years," Elliott said.

"Many of the posts are laughable, but they have a serious financial impact for taxpayers."

Among the positions in place in Newcastle is a so-called breastfeeding peer support coordinator who is responsible for advising new mothers on feeding their infants.

Another council worker earns nearly $35,000 a year in Newcastle supervising a compost farm for garden waste.

Meanwhile, the Angus Council has come under scrutiny for a $19,200 annual salary offered to an individual with the title of bouncy castle attendant, the Telegraph said.