Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled up next - the government’s vision for the broadcasting sector published on 28 April 2022, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of postponing the launch of the consultation on individual local television station licenses on (a) businesses, (b) universities and (c) local communities.

The Government remains committed to extending the local television multiplex licence, which is currently due to expire on 25 November 2025. We also outlined our plans in the Broadcasting White Paper to consult on the renewal or relicensing of the 34 individual local television services at the same time.

The Government recognises the important contribution and impact that local television services make to our broadcasting ecosystem and for those across the UK, particularly in their role disseminating relevant news and engaging with local communities.

We will publish a formal consultation paper on the future of local TV in due course.