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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of government support for local newspapers; and if he will make a statement.

Local newspapers are an important source of information for local communities and a vital part of a healthy democracy. For this reason, the government will consult in due course on whether to introduce a business rates relief for local newspapers in England to support them as they adapt to new technology and changing circumstances.