Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Local Radio Services: Discussions with BBC

Thursday 15 June 2023 · 5 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministers met the BBC chair and director general to express concerns about planned reductions in local radio services.
  • The BBC is under a duty to serve local communities and is subject to oversight by Ofcom.
  • The Minister encourages constituents and Members to continue putting their concerns to the BBC directly.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Context

The BBC is planning to reduce part of its local radio output, causing concern in the constituency.

Question

I am concerned about the discussions regarding the reduction of local radio services by the BBC. What discussions has she had with the director general on these planned changes?

Answer from John Whittingdale

I remain disappointed that the BBC is planning to reduce part of its local radio output. This is a matter for the BBC. Ministers met the BBC chair and director general towards the end of last year to express our concerns about their plans, as did I in a previous capacity in this House. I will raise the issue again when I meet the BBC director general soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific information on any concrete commitments or actions taken by the government beyond expressing disappointment and past meetings.

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Q2 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Local radio services are vital for communities, especially those with visual impairments or older individuals who may not shift to online media.

Question

Local radio services are crucial for our local communities. This change will disadvantage certain groups such as the visually impaired or older people who rely on radio. Will the Minister join me in asking the BBC to scrap these plans or at least pause them so an equality impact assessment can be done?

Answer from John Whittingdale

The BBC is under a duty under the charter to serve local communities. Obviously, how it delivers that is a matter for the BBC, but it is also subject to the oversight of Ofcom. I understand exactly the point that the hon. Lady makes, and I encourage her to continue to put it to the BBC.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific ask regarding scrapping or pausing plans but shifted focus to the duties of the BBC under its charter.

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Q3 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The former Culture Secretary froze the BBC's licence fee until 2024, affecting afternoon appearances by a Member on Three Counties Radio.

Question

A constituent wrote to me about his blind friend who is likely to be left isolated and depressed due to changes in local radio programming. Could the Minister explain how the freeze on the BBC income will affect my right hon. Friend's afternoon appearances on Three Counties Radio?

Answer from John Whittingdale

Again, that is a matter for the BBC. I would say that the decision to freeze the licence fee was to reflect the significant pressures on the cost of living for many people—it would have been wrong to expect them to pay a significant increase at that time. That period is coming to an end shortly, but nevertheless the licence fee delivers a very large amount of money to the BBC. How it spends it is a matter for the BBC, but in my view, local radio remains an important part of the BBC's output.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific impact on broadcast appearances and instead focused on the rationale behind the licence fee freeze.

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Q4 Andrew Selous Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Concerns raised about the lack of public consultation on proposed changes to local BBC radio services.

Question

Would the Minister kindly ask the BBC to consult local people on its proposed changes to radio services? The programme 'BBC Three Counties' is very popular, and my constituents want it to continue as before. Could the BBC take into account the views of those it broadcasts to?

Answer from John Whittingdale

I recall the debate that has already taken place in this House on this matter, which was very widely attended. We heard from across the Chamber how much local radio is supported in each of the various areas represented by Members who spoke. The BBC does do a lot of consultation, but I agree that it is very important that local people should be able to make their views known on that proposal.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Acknowledged the importance of consultations but did not provide any specific direction or commitment from the Minister urging such actions.

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Q5 Stephanie Peacock Lab Barnsley South
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The proposed changes by the BBC are causing concern regarding its ability to fulfill its duties under the charter, especially in terms of representing diverse communities.

Question

The BBC has a duty to reflect and serve diverse communities. The proposal to change local radio programmes so that they become regional after 2 pm does not include any public consultation. Losing local radio could weaken the BBC's ability to fulfill its purposes. Is it too late for the BBC to reconsider?

Answer from John Whittingdale

The BBC is not proposing to scrap local radio, but rather make changes that will mean parts of the country are part of a larger broadcasting area during certain times. The BBC has met hon. Members recently and I encourage them to continue reflecting their constituents' views directly with the BBC.

Not addressed: Did not address whether it is too late for reconsideration but instead discussed ongoing engagement between Members and the BBC.

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