Newcastle City Council says that its pension fund does invest in the payday loan company Wonga, but it has no control over it.
It added that the council has voiced its dislike that the pension fund invests in companies which it believes 'harms the city'.
One of the region's biggest employers has launched a new initiative to offer more support to staff suffering at the hands of an abuser.
Newcastle City Council is training managers to recognise the signs among their colleagues and provide practical help at a traumatic time.
Helen Ford reports.
Fiona Bowman, domestic abuse campaigner.
Newcastle City Council has launched a strategy to support staff who are suffering domestic abuse.
The council wants its managers to recognise the problem among colleagues and offer help. It is estimated that one in 10 working people suffers abuse.
The aim is to make the workplace a safe haven from violence suffered at home.
A contract will be signed later today between Newcastle City Council and the broadband provider BT.
The partnership is aiming to provide super fast broadband across the city.
Newcastle City Council has become one of the first in the country to block access to the websites of payday loans companies via its own computer system. The council is also planning to try to stop the lenders advertising on some billboards in the city.
However, not everyone is against the loans companies - a survey by uSwitch found half of people who had taken out a payday loan found it a positive experience.
Have you taken out a payday loan? Tell us your experience on Facebook.
Gregg Easteal reports.
Newcastle City Council has blocked access to payday loans websites from any computer in its network.
The leader of the council, Cllr Nick Forbes, said the move was necessary because the number of the city's residents struggling with high debts was going up and up.
Newcastle City Council has blocked access to the websites of payday loans companies across its entire computer network, including offices, libraries and council-owned community centres. It is also looking at how to prevent them advertising on some billboards in the city.
However, a survey published by uSwitch found 50% of people who had taken out a payday loan found it a positive experience. Almost a third would take out another loan.
Councillor Mick Henry of Gateshead spoke to Ian about what the council's announcement - that it is combining with six other authorities across the region - will mean for the North East.
Councils in the North East have voted to form a new Combined Authority, that would gain more powers and funding from central government.
The seven local authorities, from Northumberland to Durham, will establish the new Authority, to make decisions jointly in areas from public transport to training for young people.
Watch the full report from Lucy Taylor below.
