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<p>The Government recognises the strength of feeling about the importance of BBC Local
Radio. These services help bring communities together, and play a vital role in delivering
news, sports coverage and other content that is locally relevant.</p><p>While it is
up to the BBC to decide how it delivers its services, the Government is clear that
the BBC must make sure it continues to provide distinctive and genuinely local radio
services, with content that reflects and represents people and communities from all
corners of the UK.</p><p>The Government remains disappointed that the BBC is planning
to reduce parts of its local radio output, and Ministers expressed their concerns
to the Chairman of the BBC Board and the Director General when they met towards the
end of last year.</p><p>The Government understands that the BBC have made a recent
announcement adjusting their previous proposal, and we will seek to understand what
this means in practice for its audiences.</p><p>The Government expects Ofcom to ensure
the BBC is robustly held to account in delivering its public service duties.</p>
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