Blog

  • PRESS RELEASE : Local journalism to benefit from new government funding to reach new audiences [July 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Local journalism to benefit from new government funding to reach new audiences [July 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 7 July 2026.

    Local news outlets can now apply for grants of up to £125,000 to support their long-term financial sustainability.

    • Local News Fund is part of the government’s Local Media Action Plan – a strategy backing the essential role of local media in our towns and communities 
    • Second year of the Fund will also be used to tackle ‘news deserts’, by helping to revive a local news presence in communities that currently lack one.

    Local news outlets can now bid for a share of up to £12 million in government funding over the next two years, which will ensure communities can continue to benefit from trusted, high-quality local journalism.

    Part of ‘Amplify: The Local Media Action Plan’, the Fund will provide £6 million in 2026/27 and up to a further £6 million in 2027/28, which will help ensure the long-term provision of high-quality local news by enabling organisations to continue innovating towards a digital and sustainable future.

    The Plan demonstrates the government’s commitment to the future of local journalism, ensuring it can continue to enrich our national conversation, strengthen communities and social cohesion, rebuild social trust, and support local growth.

    The majority of the 2026/27 Fund will be awarded to local news outlets in print, online, or independent local TV and radio stations, through a competitive bidding process, with £125,000 the maximum available to a single organisation. The funding can be used to invest in the tools and services – such as apps or innovative use of multimedia channels – needed for sustainable innovation which can help local media tap into new or younger audiences and generate new sources of revenue.

    The remainder of the Fund will be allocated through a separate bidding process which also opens today, reserved for organisations which are developing the infrastructure that can benefit the industry as a whole, with bids allowed up to £275,000. 

    Evidence shows that up to 37 local authority districts now have no print, online, TV or radio outlet dedicated specifically to that area – leaving as many as 4.4 million citizens in local ‘news deserts’, which disproportionately occur in the most deprived urban areas.

    That’s why in the second year of the Fund, £1 million will be dedicated to tackling these local news deserts in collaboration with key community stakeholders, to revive or establish a local news presence in areas of need. This will help address news inequality, as local news closures disproportionately affect deprived urban districts, while new enterprises are concentrated in more affluent communities.

    Subject to availability, up to a further £5 million in 2027/28 will provide continued support for the financial sustainability and innovation of the sector. 

    To qualify for local news outlet funding, prospective bidders must be able to demonstrate a track record in the provision of local news to audiences in England or Wales. 

    Media Minister Ian Murray MP said: 

    Local media is a cornerstone of our civic life and when it declines, communities lose access to accurate information, scrutiny of decision-makers and a vital local voice. That’s why we’re launching the Local News Fund – with up to £12 million available over the next two years, it marks an important step towards securing the future of local media across the UK. 

    I encourage local news organisations, publishers and innovators to come forward with ambitious proposals that will help to strengthen local media for the long term, ensuring communities continue to benefit from high-quality, trusted local reporting.

    Polly Curtis, Co-Chair of the Local News Fund Steering Board, said:

    Strong local news creates stronger communities. This £6 million fund is an investment in civic life, democracy and the trusted journalism that helps bring people together. 

    We encourage everyone who is working in local news to put forward their most innovative ideas to help build shared resilience for the future for local journalism.

    Jeremy Clifford, Co-Chair of the Local News Fund Steering Board, said:

    The local news industry has a track record of innovating and responding to the many challenges it has faced down the years. However, often those innovations fail to get off the ground because they cannot be funded. 

    We strongly believe this fund can help to ignite that innovative thinking and be the catalyst for delivering some exciting and imaginative experiments.

    Laura Davison, NUJ General Secretary, said:  

    The NUJ welcomes the launch of the Local News Fund. For many years the union has campaigned for government grants to preserve and bolster local journalism subject to appropriate safeguards. 

    The Fund is recognition that the industry cannot be left to the vagaries of the market and that our members working in local news play a pivotal role in upholding social cohesion and democracy.

  • Jon Sopel – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage and By-Election

    Jon Sopel – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage and By-Election

    The comments made by Jon Sopel on 8 July 2026.

    People versus the establishment?

    Are you kidding?

    Nigel Farage is the son of a stockbroker who went to Dulwich College and then follows his dad into the city, gets gifted millions, promotes crypto and gold bullion, been in politics for decades – he IS the establishment.

  • Count Binface – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage and By-Election

    Count Binface – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage and By-Election

    The comments made by Count Binface on 7 July 2026.

    Labour, Tories, Lib Dems and Greens: I demand you stand down in Clacton. I will be a unity candidate and pledge to build at least one affordable house.

    Nigel Farage says he wants The People versus the Establishment. So be it.

    Leave him to me.

  • Wes Streeting – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage and By-Election

    Wes Streeting – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage and By-Election

    The comments made by Wes Streeting, the Labour MP for Ilford North, on 7 July 2026.

    I’ve always believed that people deserve a Labour choice at an election, but I’m glad we’re not taking part in Farage’s Clacton clown show.

    He’s subject to the same rules as every other MP – he just whinges when he’s held to those same standards.

  • Karl Turner – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage and By-Election

    Karl Turner – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage and By-Election

    The comments made by Karl Turner, the MP for East Hull, on 8 July 2026.

    I am not an expert but as I understand it if an MP who is being investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards resigns their seat before the investigation is completed, the investigation is generally suspended rather than abandoned. If that person is then re-elected to the House of Commons, the investigation resumes from where it left off. That is the rule.

    Nigel Farage cannot circumvent the rule and will likely face a second by-election.

  • NEWS STORY : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates – Geraldine McCafferty

    NEWS STORY : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates – Geraldine McCafferty

    STORY

    Mrs Geraldine McCafferty has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates in succession to Mr Edward Hobart.

    Mrs McCafferty will take up her appointment during August 2026.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Geraldine Mary McCafferty

    YearRole
    2022 to presentBeijing, Deputy Head of Mission
    2019 to 2022FCDO, Director, Policy
    2015 to 2019Bogotá, Minister Counsellor
    2012 to 2015Copenhagen, Minister Counsellor
    2010 to 2012FCO, Private Secretary
    2007 to 2009FCO, Team Leader
    2005 to 2007Sarajevo, First Secretary
    2004 to 2005FCO, Pre-posting Training, including Bosnian Language Training
    2001 to 2004FCO, Desk Officer
    2000 to 2001FCO, Russian Language Training
    1998 to 2000Nicosia, Second Secretary Economics
    1996 to 1998FCO, Desk Officer
    1996Joined FCO
  • NEWS STORY : West Sussex criticised over delays in child’s education support [July 2026]

    NEWS STORY : West Sussex criticised over delays in child’s education support [July 2026]

    STORY

    West Sussex County Council has been found at fault for delays during a child’s Education, Health and Care needs assessment and for failing to make a timely decision about alternative education. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman said the council’s handling of the case caused avoidable uncertainty and distress for the family.

    Councils have statutory deadlines for deciding whether to issue an Education, Health and Care Plan and must consider their duty to arrange suitable education when a child cannot attend school. The investigation found delays in the assessment process and shortcomings in the way the authority considered its responsibilities under section 19 of the Education Act 1996.

    The Ombudsman recommended action to remedy the injustice and improve the council’s procedures. The case adds to wider concern about pressure on special educational needs services, with councils reporting rising demand, workforce shortages and significant financial strain in the high-needs system.

  • NEWS STORY : Southwark Council defeats challenge to housing waiting list scheme

    NEWS STORY : Southwark Council defeats challenge to housing waiting list scheme

    STORY

    Southwark Council has successfully defended its choice-based lettings and direct allocation policies after the High Court rejected a challenge alleging that the system was unlawful and insufficiently transparent. The judge found that the London borough could have explained parts of the process more clearly but had operated the scheme lawfully.

    The claimant argued that she had been treated less favourably than households placed below her on the waiting list and could not understand why her family had not received enhanced priority. She also alleged that the council had failed to follow its direct offer procedure and had breached the public sector equality duty.

    The court concluded that there had been no unlawful discrimination or failure to comply with transparency requirements. The judgment underlines the discretion councils retain when allocating scarce social housing, while also indicating that clearer information about priority categories and direct offers could reduce confusion and disputes.

  • NEWS STORY : MEPs assess Ukraine, Moldova and Serbia membership progress

    NEWS STORY : MEPs assess Ukraine, Moldova and Serbia membership progress

    STORY

    The European Parliament is considering annual reports on the progress made by Ukraine, Moldova and Serbia towards membership of the European Union. The assessments cover democratic institutions, the rule of law, economic reform, foreign policy alignment and each country’s ability to implement EU legislation.

    Ukraine and Moldova received candidate status following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and have since begun accession negotiations. MEPs are expected to support continued progress while stressing that membership remains conditional on reforms, particularly in the justice system, anti-corruption measures and the protection of fundamental rights.

    The report on Serbia is expected to focus on democratic standards, media freedom and Belgrade’s relationship with Russia as well as the normalisation of relations with Kosovo. European Parliament resolutions are not themselves sufficient to admit a new member, but they influence the political direction of the enlargement process.

  • NEWS STORY : European Parliament advances military mobility proposals

    NEWS STORY : European Parliament advances military mobility proposals

    STORY

    The European Parliament has moved towards negotiations on new military mobility rules intended to make it easier to transport troops and equipment across the European Union. The proposals seek to reduce legal, administrative and infrastructure obstacles that could slow the movement of armed forces during a crisis.

    MEPs and member states have been developing a framework covering permits, customs procedures, cross-border co-ordination and the suitability of roads, railways, ports and bridges. Supporters say Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated that Europe must be able to move military resources quickly between countries.

    Parliament’s position requires plenary approval before formal negotiations with the Council can proceed. The measure forms part of the EU’s wider defence preparedness agenda and is designed to complement NATO planning, although decisions on the deployment of national forces would remain with member states.