Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has led a campaign to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, asking that they support local and independent media through an increased share of public health communications spending.

The letter has been backed by 40 MPs from across Parliament, including former Cabinet ministers and shadow ministers, and highlights the importance of local press in communicating trustworthy information and the financial strain faced by local journalists in light of the coronavirus.

Mr Carmichael said:

“Local press are some of the most trusted sources of news for our communities and we must support them in this challenging time. They are vital to our efforts to respond and recover from the coronavirus and yet they are facing significant financial difficulties.

“This letter is about getting a fair share of government advertising spend for local and independent press, to reflect both their importance in our communities and their financial needs. The Secretary of State for Health has an important role in deciding where these advertising funds go.” 

He continued:

“If the Government takes seriously the need to get valuable and timely information about coronavirus to people in every part of the country then they should get behind this campaign, which is backed by MPs from all sides of Parliament.”

In addition the campaign has the support of the following MPs

Richard Fuller MP for NE Bedfordshire

Kieran Mullan MP for Crewe & Nantwich

Bob Seely MP for Isle of Wight

Joanna Cherry MP for Edinburgh South West

Kate Osamor MP for Edmonton

Feryal Clark MP for Enfield North

Chris Clarkson, MP for Heywood & Middleton