Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

BBC Local Radio: Proposed Cuts

Thursday 27 April 2023 · 7 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department for Culture, Media and Sport regularly meets the BBC to discuss various issues, including proposed cuts to local radio services.
  • Ministers have expressed the House's shared concerns about the BBC's plans to reduce parts of its local radio output.
  • The government does not plan to protect specific BBC local radio services through primary legislation but will include measures on radio services in the media Bill, including measures on smart speakers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The BBC announced plans to reduce parts of its local radio output, including BBC Radio Humberside.

Question

What discussions has the government had with the BBC on its proposed cuts to local radio services?

Answer from Julia Lopez

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport regularly meets the BBC to discuss a range of issues. Ministers have met the BBC on several occasions since the announcement, where we have expressed the House's shared concerns about the BBC's plans to reduce parts of its local radio output.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific commitments or actions taken with the BBC

How: Under Review

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Q2 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Local presenters have had to apply for their jobs, facing gagging clauses and fear of losing redundancy pay if they speak out.

Question

Will Ministers do what Burnsy suggested and get BBC managers to reconsider the proposed cuts to local radio services?

Answer from Julia Lopez

I shall do my best to get some heads wobbling. I know that the right hon. Lady is a big supporter of Radio Humberside and her local BBC television service, “Look North”. The BBC has told us that these are cost-neutral changes and that it is moving resource into digital and providing some additional resource in relation to original journalism.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to getting managers to reconsider cuts

How: Under Review

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Q3 Damian Green Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Minister mentioned that the House will be considering a media Bill in coming months.

Question

Will the media Bill include measures to protect essential BBC local radio services?

Answer from Julia Lopez

I thank my right hon. Friend for his contribution. We are not going to protect specific parts of the BBC by primary legislation, but we have a number of important measures on radio services that we feel strongly about including in that legislation, and that includes measures on smart speakers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to protecting local radio services through primary legislation

How: Under Review

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Q4 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Democracy & Elections Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Local newspapers are not running political stories due to commercial challenges.

Question

Will the Minister consider the role of local media in providing essential news coverage?

Answer from Julia Lopez

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to highlight the importance of local news reporting to the health of our democracy, and I met news publishers recently to discuss how we might support a more thriving local newspaper ecosystem.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific commitments or actions

How: Under Review

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Q5 Andrew Selous Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Roberto Perrone's drivetime programme is at risk of being axed.

Question

Will the Minister use the Department's power to have another word with the BBC about its proposed cuts?

Answer from Julia Lopez

I wish my hon. Friend a very happy birthday, as I am sure does the whole House. He asks us to speak again to the BBC about this matter. This issue has been running since the autumn, and the appetite of the House to raise it in the Chamber has not waned.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to speaking to the BBC

How: Under Review

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Q6 Stephanie Peacock Lab Barnsley South
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The BBC's plans to redirect resources into online local news may impact existing local news sites.

Question

What steps are being taken to discuss the impact of these cuts with the BBC and support local journalism outlets?

Answer from Julia Lopez

The hon. Lady raises an important point about the impact of the BBC, and the care that it needs to take in relation to the impact that it can have on commercial services. We do not want the support that the BBC gets from the licence fee to be seen as something that crowds out market competition.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or commitments

How: Under Review

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Q7 John Nicolson SNP
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Disquiet among BBC staff about the tenure of Richard Sharp, whose appointment is under scrutiny.

Question

What reassurances can be given to BBC staff and public that plum positions will not go to individuals involved in lavish donations?

Answer from Julia Lopez

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the appointment of Richard Sharp is the subject of an Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments report. We do not control the timetable for that, but it will hopefully shed some light on the appointment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide reassurances or specific measures to ensure transparency

How: Under Review

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