I wasn’t surprised by the BBC’s recent cuts. After working at BBC Local Radio for more than 25 years, including as a full-time union representative for stations across the UK, we’d grown accustomed to budget reductions.
This week’s reader feedback through TopMob, which focuses on what people want from the BBC, confirms that local and regional news remains highly valued. This makes recent cuts concerning for those who work at the BBC, as many are questioning how much more can be reduced.
Local and regional news is vital to the BBC’s connection with communities throughout the UK – it’s not just an added bonus. And many believe it’s already been reduced to a minimum level.
In 2020, around 450 jobs were cut at BBC Nations and Regions. Viewers may have already seen some of these changes, like the 6:30 pm news on BBC One now having just one presenter. However, some programs and content were completely removed and won’t be returning.
Inside Out was a leading regional news program known for uncovering important stories that often made national headlines. These included investigations into poor working conditions in warehouses and scandals involving drug companies, among other issues. Despite claims that the program was declining in popularity, it consistently performed well when broadcast opposite the popular ITV show, Coronation Street.
Difficult choices are necessary, but some recent decisions seem overly drastic and have gotten rid of good things along with the bad.
In 2023, BBC Local introduced a new plan to prioritize online content, following the direction set by Tim Davie. This meant a significant boost in digital content and hiring more online journalists, but it was funded by reducing the scope of its Local Radio stations.
Although some areas still have local news updates, it’s possible to go nearly four days – from Friday at 2 PM to Monday at 6 AM – without truly local news coverage, excluding sports.
Although people have greater access to news online now, there are fewer chances for them to be involved on the radio itself. Popular broadcasters like Linda McDermott from Radio Merseyside and David FitzGerald from Radio Devon were affected by a difficult round of presenter cuts.
Matt Brittin, the BBC’s new Director-General, has announced reductions in funding for commissioned programs, which may affect local programming. In recent years, local radio has been a key driver in creating some of the BBC’s most successful podcasts.
Andy Whittaker’s ‘Bodies in the Garden’ was an early podcast from BBC Local Radio, and it helped launch the hugely successful trend of true crime podcasts we see today. However, opportunities for similar creative projects like this might become less common in the future.
Journalists are primarily worried about how quickly they can cover urgent news stories. Because many local BBC radio stations now share programs in the afternoons, it’s harder for them to react immediately when something unexpected happens.
After Paul Doyle drove into the crowds celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League win, the sports team at Radio Merseyside continued broadcasting late into the night to keep people informed about what happened. Reducing local programming bit by bit puts this crucial coverage at risk.
People rely on BBC Local Radio and regional TV news the most during difficult times. They want trusted, familiar voices and faces to help them understand what’s happening, follow the investigations, and learn the outcomes in court. This personal connection is hard to find with just online news.
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Recently, the BBC has been heavily promoting shows created throughout the United Kingdom. Their “Made of Here” campaign appropriately showcases excellent programs like Blue Lights, filmed in Belfast, and Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams, which is based in Lancashire.
Some former coworkers have asked me why BBC Radio Lancashire wasn’t promoted in the same way as other local stations. For example, BBC Radio Somerset uses the slogan “Made of Taunton,” and Look East says it’s “Made of Norwich” – highlighting connections to their regions. It’s understandable why some of my colleagues feel their work isn’t appreciated when Lancashire didn’t receive similar recognition.
With its charter renewal looming – a process sure to spark debate – the BBC is in a difficult financial position. After already experiencing cuts late last year, I’d respectfully advise Matt Brittin that further reductions will be extremely challenging.
Local BBC radio stations – including those across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – are a vital part of what makes public service broadcasting work. If they disappear, they won’t be coming back.
Explore more of our news coverage or check out our TV and streaming guides to see what’s currently playing. For even more TV suggestions and reviews, tune in to The TopMob Podcast.
Authors
Kevin Stanley used to work as a journalist and union representative at the BBC. Now, he focuses on communications and teaching journalism.
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2026-06-18 14:42