UK Newspapers and News Magazines: Foreign Investment

Lord Beamish Excerpts

Thursday 27th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I can only apologise for having the same answers, but the issue has not yet been resolved. We are working to resolve it as soon as possible, but, as I mentioned, there are complex issues that need to be dealt with effectively. It remains the case that I am confident I will be able to report back to your Lordships’ House in the near future. Clearly, I would have liked to have been able to have done so before today.

[Lord Beamish (Lab)]

My Lords, the debate around the Telegraph is obviously important, but local newspapers are key to local democracy. In my own region of the north-east the Northern Echo and the Newcastle Journal are struggling. What will the Government do to ensure the survivability of local and regional newspapers, which are vital to our local democracy?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

My noble friend is right that local journalism is vital to local democracy. We are developing a local media strategy in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. DCMS and the Secretary of State hosted a round table recently with a group of local news editors to discuss our proposed approach to the strategy and how we can collaborate with industry for the benefit of communities across the country.