BBC Radio: Local Broadcasting

(asked on 8th November 2022) - View Source

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the potential cuts to BBC local radio on (a) people who are housebound and (b) people who live in rural area’s ability to access local news.


Answered by
Julia Lopez Portrait
Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
This question was answered on 14th November 2022

The Government recognises the important role that radio plays in terms of the provision of local news and information, and of community engagement, including for those who are housebound, and those living in rural areas. The Government is disappointed that the BBC is planning to reduce parts of its local radio output.

The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from the government as set out in its Royal Charter, and decisions on service delivery are a matter for the BBC. However, my officials engage the BBC and Ofcom on these issues. I have also raised them, including reflections on recent parliamentary discussions, with the BBC.

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