BBC Local Radio Debate

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BBC Local Radio

David Simpson Excerpts
Wednesday 26th October 2011

(12 years, 6 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Robin Walker Portrait Mr Walker
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I thoroughly agree. As my hon. Friend knows well, the BBC’s local presence also provides a route into journalism for hundreds of people and gives hundreds of journalists the chance to work in their own communities.

David Simpson Portrait David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP)
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Does the hon. Gentleman agree that perhaps the BBC should look to its massive budget for presenters’ salaries, and its provision of fancy hotels for overnight accommodation and first-class travel?

Robin Walker Portrait Mr Walker
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There are many areas of the BBC other than local radio where the savings it needs to make can be found. The hon. Gentleman’s point is well made.

People who work in local radio are already multi-tasking, with the same person producing a breakfast show, reading the news later in the day and then doing outside broadcasts at another moment, doubling up the roles of producer and presenter. As the hon. Gentleman just pointed out, those are not the obvious people to cut in an organisation that has a large head office and many highly-paid presenters.