SOCCER scrooges at Barnet Council are refusing to fly the Cross of St George in support of the England football team.

Despite the Prime Minister David Cameron announcing yesterday that he would fly the flag over Number 10 during the football World Cup in South Africa, killjoys at the council claim they have “greater priorities to deal with”.

They have rebuffed proposals to hoist the flag on the vacant pole above Hendon Town Hall, in The Burroughs, saying it was not possible during these times of “tough economic pressures”.

Instead, the right-hand pole will remain bare and the building will continue to display only the Union flag during this summer's football tournament, which kicks-off tomorrow.

Mr Cameron said during PM's Questions that his decision would not cost anything and he hoped it would unite the nation behind the England team.

Other councils have said they would proudly fly the flag of St George, and Grant Shapps, Minister for Local Government, has written to local authority leaders and chief executives stating communities across England would want to wave the flag “with pride”.

He said: “The World Cup is a great opportunity for communities of all backgrounds to pull together.

“Councils should do their bit in helping reclaim the English flag as a proud symbol of our nation's identity.”

But Tory bosses at Barnet Council have ignored this rally call and deputy leader, Councillor Andrew Harper, said: “The Town Hall is the civic heart of the borough and the only flag which should be flown at the building is the Union flag.

“Personally, I’ll be following the World Cup with great interest, as I’m sure will many Barnet residents.

“But in times of tough economic pressures, the council as an organisation has greater priorities to deal with.”

However, council vehicles and taxis will not be banned from displaying the flag.

What do you think? Should Barnet Council fly the Cross of St George during the World Cup? Leave your comments below...