Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 31
31
Acknowledged
BBC struggles to demonstrate clear pathway from structural changes to improved audience outcomes.
Conclusion
The BBC highlighted its ongoing audience research and engagement, aiming to avoid institutions feeling “distant” from the people.75 The BBC also told us about persistent differences in engagement and the extent to which people across geographies and socio-economic backgrounds feel represented in 68 Q 73 69 Q 72; Committee of Public Accounts, Twenty-sixth Report of Session 2023–24, The BBC’s implementation of Across the UK, HC 426, 17 April 2024 70 Q 72 71 Q 73 72 Q 73 73 Q 72 74 Q 59 75 Q 59 17 BBC content. We pressed the BBC to set out the pathway from structural change to demonstrable audience outcomes. As examples of “reflections”, the BBC referenced productions from Scotland and dramas set in the north of England, alongside the Asian Network’s move to Birmingham–steps intended to mirror diverse audiences more closely.76
Government Response Summary
The BBC agrees to communicate how its Across the UK programmes and other initiatives will lead to better representation of the UK’s local communities as part of its Annual Report and Accounts.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
6. PAC conclusion: The BBC is a trusted institution but its relevance across the UK is under pressure. 6. PAC recommendation: As part of its response to this report, and in its Annual Report and Accounts, the BBC should clearly communicate how its Across the UK programmes and other initiatives will lead to better representation of the UK’s local communities, to sustain trust and relevance in the future. 6.1 The BBC agrees with the recommendation. Target implementation date: 2026 aligned with BBC Annual Report and Accounts publication, and to expand further in subsequent years. 6.2 The BBC welcomes the view of the Committee that it has responded to its past recommendations and that the key benefits of the programme are now clearly quantified. The BBC has responded in full to the Committee’s previous recommendations. 6.3 Improving the audience portrayal is one of the key driving forces and benefits of the Across the UK programme. To date, the BBC has moved significant network programming and commissioning to the devolved nations and regions of England. The BBC believes that this has led to a greater diversity of voice and perspective in its content, representing more regions from across the UK, as well as investment in regional creative economies. The BBC intends to build on this as it develops its future plans. 6.4 The BBC has also increased the level of content commissioning from the Nations and Regions for Network services which has ensured greater representation of all parts of the UK on BBC services. In December 2025, the BBC announced it will reprioritise its budget to double investment in portrayal content from 2027/28. Improving audience portrayal and relevance is a long-term process, but the BBC is encouraged by early improvements in the Midlands and across the North of England as noted by the Committee. It has seen audiences to Nations’ content grow as the portrayal commissioning builds in its impact and value. 6.5 However, there is further work to do to ensure that the BBC increases its relevance, reach and impact across every Nation and Region in the UK. The BBC will use audience measurement developed as part of the Across the UK programme to inform future 47 commissioning priorities and decision-making, as well as the BBC’s corporate priorities in the longer-term. The BBC has also announced in December 2025 that it plans to move more Commissioners to bases across the UK. 6.6 The BBC can commit to sharing further information on an annual basis as part of the BBC Annual Report and Accounts which identifies the level of investment in its content from the Nations and Regions of the UK as well as audience data. 6.7 The BBC notes the Committee’s comments on changes within BBC Local and the importance of smaller communities staying connected to the BBC. While the BBC Local strategy differs from Across the UK: Local Value for All, both share the goal of improving audience performance and ensuring BBC content remains relevant to all licence fee payers. 6.8 The BBC recognises that change can be challenging, particularly as content evolves to meet shifting audience habits in a digital world. All Local Radio stations continue to provide bespoke weekday Breakfast and Mid-Morning programmes - where audiences are strongest - alongside local news bulletins and sports coverage. The BBC remains fully committed to serving local communities and strengthening the performance of its services.