It was an honour to lead last week’s excellent debate on the future of BBC local radio. There is, quite simply, strong belief across the House that the BBC is taking the ‘local’ out of local radio.
Local radio is very close to my heart and throughout my time as MP for Hemel Hempstead BBC Three Counties Radio have been with me every step of the way.
From the Buncefield explosion, which occurred in my first six months as an MP, to local campaigns such as fighting for a new hospital or supporting Dexion pensioners, they have always been there. Sometimes supportive, sometimes critical, but that is how it should be.
There are 39 local radio stations covering England, Jersey and Guernsey. They vary considerably from very rural to urban metropolitan areas. The combination of entertainment and investigative journalism provide a lifeline to so many people who enjoy listening to live radio with a genuine local input.
They are there in times of need. When major local events occur, they can react quickly and give up to date information and support. They were the first to call me on the day of the Buncefield explosion and I know, from last week’s debate, the critical service they have provided in areas across the country in times of flood or heavy snow for example.
Local charities and events such as 10k runs, fetes and carnivals, also rely on local radio for support, advertising and sponsorship.
And that, is the whole point. With 39 local radio stations, radio offers a whole extra level of local input than regional programming can ever do. They can go deeper into local stories and get to the bottom of local issues. Hold local elected representatives – whether they be MPs, Metro Mayors or County and District Councillors – to account. No one else does that to the same degree. It is the unique selling point of BBC local radio and its big advantage over regional television.
The BBC is proposing that, after 2pm, content will be shared between neighbouring stations, or more specifically there will be 18 programmes shared between all 39 stations. This is a massive change. It could mean, in my area, that BBC Three Counties puts out content made as far away as Norwich. It wouldn’t be BBC Three Counties, more like BBC Eight Counties… You simply cannot pretend that there will be any meaningful local programming in the afternoon anymore.
The impact on local radio journalists, reporters and editorial staff will be, and already has been, devastating. Many are well-know local names and have a real deep knowledge of their areas. This expertise has been built up over many news cycles of reporting local stories and interviewing local people – business owners, charity bosses and local elected representatives. You simply cannot afford to wipe away all of that in one fell swoop.
The BBC argues that its network of Senior Political Reporters will cover local politics. I can tell you, that won’t work. Even if they do cover a truly local story – say in Hemel Hempstead – it makes no sense to broadcast it across an area stretching from the midlands to the east coast.
I am genuinely concerned, and in fact upset, that the BBC is turning its back on one of its great success stories. I don’t think this has been thought through. There will be a knock-on impact within the BBC. Traditionally, national radio journalists, cut their teeth in local radio. That vital ‘training ground’ will be lost.
It seems that there has been so little consultation and certainly not enough feedback from the target demographic. Local radio has always been aimed at the over-55 age group. For many in this age group, digital alternatives are not accessible. These people, who are increasingly finding themselves cut off from society, continue to rely on local radio for information and news.
My views are not unique. There is a lot of support for local radio right across Parliament, from all political parties and from all areas of the country.
The debate was well-attended and the House unanimously supported the motion to call on the BBC to reconsider its decision. This was a substantive motion and I will be taking it up further with the BBC to ensure the BBC listens to the unanimous views of our national Parliament.
About Sir Mike
Sir Mike Penning was elected MP for Hemel Hempstead in 2005. He joined the army as a boy soldier and served in the Grenadier Guards including tours in Northern Ireland, Kenya and Germany. After leaving the army, he worked as a firefighter and a political journalist. He has served as a Minister in seven departments including as Minister of State for Northern Ireland, and Minister of State for the Armed Forces. He was knighted for political service in 2017.