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Bad news for hacks hoping to quench their yuletide thirst at the Wales Office. The traditional Christmas party for MPs and media has been cancelled.

This is not down to Secretary of State Cheryl Gillan's Scrooge-like aversion to Christmas but due to the age of austerity we find ourselves in.

"The Secretary of State doesn't think it is appropriate to be spending money on Christmas receptions this year when we have taken a 25 per cent cut in our budget," said a spokesman.

"We are trying to make savings in non-staff related areas to keep as many jobs as possible."

On past form, cancelling the reception will save around £2,594 - the cost of the London Christmas reception in December 2007. A similar do in Cardiff cost £2,464 so having neither will save the taxpayer around £5,000.

The 50-60 staff who work at the department will still be allowed to celebrate Christmas, although not at the taxpayers' expense. I understand Cheryl Gillan and her deputy, David Jones, will be dipping into their own pockets to buy their staff drinks.

I should also point out, lest the party cancellation lead to "Scrooge" quips, that she has agreed to switch on her local Christmas lights in .

And before we hacks dust off our "snub to Wales" headlines, the Wales Office says there will be a reception to mark St David's Day, an event to be used to promote Welsh produce in London.

UPDATE: A colleague points out that the Welsh First Minister and his deputy, Carwyn Jones and Ieuan Wyn Jones, are pressing ahead with their media reception at a Cardiff Bay cafe bar on December 6. Guests aren't even asked to bring a bottle!

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