Culture Secretary prepared to legislate if Channel 4 resists move

Channel 4's London headquarters

The Culture Secretary Karen Bradley has reiterated her support for Channel 4’s relocation outside London after being pressed in Parliament on the lack of progress.

After a review into its future, the state-owned broadcaster was told in March that it needed to move large parts of its organisation out of London.

Channel 4 has been resistant to relocating, but there is a long list of regional cities hoping to give the broadcaster a home, including Leeds, Nottingham, Liverpool and the West Midlands.

Wolverhampton South West MP Eleanor Smith asked Bradley about what “recent discussions” she had had with Channel 4.

Bradley said: “The Government have made it clear that Channel 4 must have a major presence outside London. As a publicly owned broadcaster, it is essential that it reflects and provides for the country as a whole.”

Pressed for more details, Bradley added: “We are discussing with Channel 4 the appropriate way forward and what is appropriate for it to do. I make no comment on an appropriate place for it to relocate to.

“This is a decision for the board, but clearly if we cannot reach an agreement, we would need to legislate, and I welcome the fact that there is cross-party support for the private Member’s Bill on this matter.”

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close