UK Newspapers and News Magazines: Foreign Investment

Lord Fox Excerpts

Thursday 27th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[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.

[Lord Fox (LD)]

My Lords, perhaps it might help your Lordships’ House if, rather than giving a specific answer, the Minister were able to give a process answer. Given that the purpose of this is to distinguish between two different sorts of investor, perhaps she could tell the House how the Government are going about making that separation of two different sorts of investor. Is the Government’s view as to how that process will be delivered materially different from the view that was clearly being formed by the previous Government?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I am going to frustrate and potentially annoy your Lordships’ House by not responding directly to that question. We are clear that we need to address the complex issues raised during the consultation. This is not about us not recognising how important the issue is; it is actually the opposite.