MERGER OF ITV BORDER AND TYNE TEES NEWS

That this House notes with concern the plans by ITV to amalgamate regional news services across the United Kingdom, in particular to merge ITV Border with Tyne Tees leaving a much more limited news operation in Carlisle to cover the franchise area in the south of Scotland and the north of England; regrets that there have been no details provided about future news coverage for the south of Scotland; believes that the proposals represent an undermining of ITV's public service broadcasting obligations; further notes that the proposals do not comply with the current ITV Border franchise agreement and will therefore require approval by the regulator Ofcom; welcomes the willingness of Mr Michael Grade, and other senior managers at ITV, to meet hon. and right hon. Members representing constituencies in the region; urges ITV to re-consider the proposals; and further urges that if ITV does not revise its plans, Ofcom reject them.