Local News Fund: £12 million allocated to support regional reporting

Up to 4.4 million people in the United Kingdom currently live in local news deserts. These are areas where no dedicated local news outlet operates, leaving residents without a regular source of regional reporting. The figure represents a significant portion of the population that relies on national media or digital feeds for information about their immediate surroundings.

The government has announced the creation of a Local News Fund to address this gap. The fund will provide up to £12 million over the next two years. This allocation is part of a wider Local Media Action Plan designed to support local journalism across England and Wales. The initiative aims to ensure that trusted local reporting remains a central component of community infrastructure.

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, highlighted the necessity of this support. He stated that his government will work to ensure trusted local journalism remains at the heart of communities. Burnham noted that while power is shifting away from Westminster toward local areas, that shift requires local accountability. He argued that local reporters are essential for attending council chambers, courts, and planning meetings to ask questions on behalf of the public.

Burnham pointed to specific instances where local media played a critical role. He cited the period following events in Southport and more recent incidents in Belfast. In both cases, trusted local reporters challenged misinformation spreading online. He also referenced his time in Manchester, where the Manchester Evening News campaigned for free bus travel for homeless children in temporary accommodation. He described that campaign as an example of journalism bringing people together to drive necessary change.

The new funding package includes specific grants for individual outlets. Local newspapers, websites, and independent television and radio stations in England and Wales can bid for up to £125,000. These funds are intended for investments in new technology, multimedia journalism, and strategies to reach younger audiences. Outlets may also use the money to develop new revenue streams to ensure long-term viability.

Beyond individual outlet support, the government has made up to £275,000 available for projects that strengthen the wider industry. In the second year of the fund, an additional £1 million will be released. This portion is designated for communities where local journalism has disappeared. The goal is to revive dormant titles, expand neighboring publications, or establish new community-owned outlets.

Current data indicates that access to good local journalism is becoming unequal. Ninety-five percent of adults access local news, but market forces alone are not sustaining it in every region. Up to 37 local authority districts currently have no dedicated outlet of their own. Burnham stated that these news deserts are disproportionately located in some of the most deprived urban communities in the country.

The government frames this investment as a response to the need for local scrutiny. Burnham argued that people in every part of the country deserve trusted local news and a strong voice for their community. The Local Media Action Plan seeks to prevent the loss of this infrastructure by providing financial stability to those who cover local issues. The funds are now available for bidding by eligible organizations in England and Wales.