Oral Answers to Questions

Liz Twist Excerpts

Thursday 15th June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Andrew]

I am happy to say that we are mindful of the great contribution that horse-racing makes to this country’s economy, and it is followed throughout the world. We are doing the review into the levy. We are speaking to the industry and asking for its evidence, so that we can make a considered decision.

[Liz Twist (Blaydon) (Lab)]

5. What discussions she has had with the BBC on the proposed changes to local radio services.

[Richard Foord (Tiverton and Honiton) (LD)]

17. What discussions she has had with the BBC director general on planned changes to local radio services.

[The Minister for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries (Sir John Whittingdale)]

I remain disappointed that the BBC is planning to reduce part of its local radio output. This is a matter for the BBC. Ministers met the BBC chair and director general towards the end of last year to express our concerns about their plans, as did I in a previous capacity in this House. I will raise the issue again when I meet the BBC director general soon.

[Liz Twist]

Local radio services are vital to our local communities, especially for those with visual impairments or older people who may not make the shift to online. This will really disadvantage them, and there does not seem to have been any equality impact assessment done. Will the Minister join me in asking the BBC to scrap these plans or, at the very least, pause them, so that such an assessment can be done and there can be further discussions?

[Sir John Whittingdale]

The BBC is under a duty under the charter to serve local communities. Obviously, how it delivers that is a matter for the BBC, but it is also subject to the oversight of Ofcom. I understand exactly the point that the hon. Lady makes, and I encourage her to continue to put it to the BBC.