MPs voice concerns over cuts to BBC local radio and plan to spend £700m outside of London

A committee of MPs says it has concerns over the impact of cuts to local BBC radio stations.

A newly-published report from the Public Accounts Committee, which examines value for money of Government projects, programmes and service delivery, also says the BBC 'lacks a clear plan' to successfully deliver benefits from its new proposal to spend £700m outside of London.

The report says budget reallocations to online platforms 'effectively reduces services' for some BBC radio listeners. Today's report focuses on the BBC's Across the UK (ATUK) programme, under which the corporation is aiming to move a further £700m of its spending outside of London by March, 2028.

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It says the committee finds the BBC's spending switch proposal is being taken forward without a clear plan.

The PAC's inquiry also finds ATUK is overly focused on moving spending outside of London as a measure of success in itself, rather than robustly tracking what positive change it is achieving by having done so - like improving the relevance of is content to local audiences, or creating new, local jobs.

There's 'particular concerns' over the BBC moving budgets from its local radio to local online services, which the PAC says in effect reduces services for older people or those less able to access online platforms - said to be a key part of the original ATUK programme.

"The BBC’s reporting of ATUK – including in relation to local radio cuts – does not provide Parliament nor the public with a complete picture of progress," said a statement.

"The PAC is concerned that the BBC claims benefits for ATUK publicly for activities not part of the programme when it is