UK Newspapers and News Magazines: Foreign Investment

Lord Moore of Etchingham Excerpts

Thursday 27th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The purchase of UK newspapers and news magazines by foreign states, as the noble Baroness will be aware, runs the risk of eroding trust in the press. We agree that it is right that the UK has explicit protections in relation to this. Since the consultation closed in July last year, DCMS Ministers and officials have been considering the responses carefully. The consultation raises complex issues and involves multiple interests across government. We are committed to considering this carefully and ensuring we understand the implications of such changes, including on the industry. It is important that we get this right.

[Lord Moore of Etchingham (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, I declare an interest as a Telegraph employee. I regret the way the Minister appears to be just reading out the same answer. It is important in a news business that we can get on. The most important word in the Question rightly repeated by the noble Baroness, Lady Stowell, is “when”. Are we not entitled for a term to be brought to this absurdly long process?

[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.