ITV GRANADA POLITICAL REPORTING

Early day motion 2164, tabled 6 October 2008 by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour). Signed by 29 members.

That this House notes with grave concern the decision by ITV to remove both political programmes based in the North West from its schedule and current affairs dedicated staff based in the North West; notes that this will result in a monthly programme being produced in London; believes that this will have a detrimental impact in terms of the quality of reporting on politics and current affairs which is relevant to the North West, in addition to a breakdown in the link between events in Parliament and the North West of England; further notes that this will break the agreement with Ofcom which states that 52 half hour programmes of current affairs with 20 half hours dedicated to politics should be provided; and calls on the Government to work with Ofcom to ensure that ITV does not break its franchise agreement so that ITV Granada maintains a dedicated current affairs team in the North West reporting on current affairs and politics.

Signatures by party: Labour 19, Liberal Democrat 5, Conservative 4, Independent 1.