Telegraph Newspapers

Baroness Stowell of Beeston Excerpts

Wednesday 5th March 2025 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Stowell of Beeston]

To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to intervene to force a sale of Telegraph newspapers, in accordance with Chapter 3A of Part 3 of the Enterprise Act 2002, to prevent the ownership, control, or influence of a foreign power.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Twycross) (Lab)]

The public interest intervention notice on the Telegraph sale that was issued by the previous Government is still in place. This means that the Culture Secretary has to make decisions on this in a quasi-judicial capacity, and it would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment on specifics. The Telegraph has a long and proud tradition as a valued national newspaper, and the Government are committed to seeing that continue and the newspaper thrive.

[Baroness Stowell of Beeston (Con)]

My Lords, it is a year since this House voted to put beyond doubt the possibility of a foreign Government or power owning a British newspaper, yet ownership of the Telegraph remains unresolved. The newspaper continues to function, and all credit to those involved, but the situation is unsustainable because the business needs the freedom to move on. I hear what the Minister says, but after all this time, when there is no sign of a deal, can she tell us how long the Government intend to wait before using their powers to intervene and force a sale, however regrettable such an intervention would be? When will the Government bring forward the secondary legislation to provide a capped exemption for indirectly controlled foreign state investment funds, which is important to the sustainability of all parts of the news industry?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I hear the frustration from the noble Baroness. I know she has been campaigning on this for some time. The Government have not issued a foreign state influence notice because RedBird IMI has signalled its intention to sell in compliance with the new law prohibiting foreign state ownership of newspapers, so the Government are allowing it to conduct the sale.

On the SI to which the noble Baroness referred, there has been a general election in the interim since the legislation was passed by the previous Government. Ministers recognise the high importance of foreign states not being allowed to influence the policy of UK newspapers, but there should be a balance to encourage investment into the press sector. Therefore, we are carefully considering a response to the consultation. We hope to publish a response very soon and lay the SI shortly after that.