Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the BBC on the potential impact of reductions in local BBC news correspondent posts on local coverage of specialist areas, including health, social affairs, transport and business.

The department engages with the BBC on a number of issues, including through the ongoing BBC Charter Review which is ensuring the BBC can serve all communities and regions of the UK effectively. This Government recognises the importance of local radio and news in supporting local democracy and to community engagement, particularly in rural areas. However, with regard to specific changes to BBC local radio services, it is for the BBC to make decisions on the provision of its services as an operationally independent organisation. It is then for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of the BBC, to hold the BBC to account on this responsibility.

The Government's BBC Royal Charter Review, launched through our Green Paper last year, is considering the BBC's role in supporting a sustainable, trusted media system across the United Kingdom, including how it can support local news and the sustainability of the UKs creative, broadcast and media industry. This forms part of the Government's broader commitment to a sustainable, trusted public service media system across the United Kingdom including our commitment in the Local Media Action Plan to ensure through Charter Review that the BBC supports the diversity of local media and news services in the UK. Our full plans to do so will be set out in our White Paper.