Overview
- The multi-year Local News Fund will provide up to £12 million over two years via competitive bids to support digital innovation, strengthen sustainability and revive coverage in identified news deserts.
- Funding for community radio will double to £1 million a year for the next three years, with DCMS saying the support is aimed at nearly 400 stations and underserved areas.
- A pilot Regional Media Forum in the West of England will convene local outlets with councils, emergency services, health services and courts to set best-practice engagement frameworks for potential nationwide use.
- Education and outreach measures include a Newspapers for Schools trial in North West England, efforts to encourage journalism careers, and a commitment to guarantee digital access to local and national news in state schools.
- Central government pledged to make greater use of local and hyperlocal outlets for advertising and public information, as industry bodies welcomed the package and signalled further work on BBC competition and big tech dominance, with grant details to follow in the coming weeks.