BBC U-turn on local radio cash

THE BBC has made a dramatic U-turn on its threat to cut local radio services, after deciding they have become more important amid the rise of ‘fake news’.

Director-general Tony Hall ‘cancelled’ the £10million savings targets for English local radio services last night, insisting he instead wanted to protect them and invest in their future.

Despite BBC Trust concerns that local radio budgets were ‘very tight’, the targets were announced last summer and were to take effect this financial year.

But last night, Lord Hall said: ‘For many years the BBC has been reducing its investment in local radio. The development of new technology and the growth of smartphones has seen many people getting their local news, weather and traffic information digitally.

‘But the rise of digital technology has also seen the rise of fake news, not just on a global level but on a local one as well... The role of BBC local radio is actually becoming more important, not less.’