This morning [12 January] Jonathan Djanogly, MP for Huntingdon and a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), raised the concerns of local residents with the BBC’s Director-General, Tim Davie CBE, following the decision to axe the Look East regional TV news programme’s office in Cambridge.

Speaking at the start of the PAC’s BBC Digital Inquiry, Jonathan highlighted how the final broadcast of the regional programme in December of last year is widely considered to reduce local news gathering capability, and thus the quality of news delivered to Cambridgeshire residents.

Whilst acknowledging the need to embrace positive change and technological advances, Jonathan has concerns for the BBC’s duty to all members of society – not just those who access the news through social media and the internet.

Speaking in response, the Director-General defended the BBC’s decision to cut the Cambridge office but reassured Jonathan that its impact, including on the level and quality of local journalism, would be monitored.

Commenting on the inquiry session, Jonathan said:

“Whilst positive change and technological advances should be embraced, and the BBC digitisation plans are to be broadly welcomed, the broadcaster must uphold its news quality. This includes for those who may not access it through social media and the internet, and this morning’s Public Accounts Committee session with the Director-General was a useful opportunity to press him further on how this duty is to be met as the plans continue to be rolled out.

“I know from corresponding with local residents that some concerns remain following the final broadcast of Look East’s Cambridge programme in December, and the fact is that the remaining studio in Norwich is a long way from Huntingdon and access is not so easy.”