The BBC is launching a new tendering process for its Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
The LDRS funds and supports journalism in the local news sector through a network of 165 journalists – all employed in commercial newsrooms – to scrutinise the work of local authorities across the UK.
Since the scheme’s inception, it has produced more than more than 440,000 stories for over 1,100 different news outlets.
The latest tendering process to manage LDRS reporter contracts opens today (Monday, December 2).
Jason Horton, director BBC Local, said: “We recognise that there are critical challenges facing the news industry today and we are determined to play our part in addressing them. The LDRS is an important part of how we can do this. It was first launched in 2017 following more than two years of talks and planning with experts from across the UK media industry.
“It now supports more than 1,100 print, broadcast and online news outlets by providing free access to news content generated by 165 Local Democracy Reporters and we are committed to its future as a key part of our responsibility to provide trusted, independent and impartial news for all audiences.”
A total of 118 contracts are to be tendered, with a maximum of three reporters being employed under each contract.
The funding for the delivery of the service will include a 6.5% increase from July 2025. Funding and stipulated minimum salary levels have traditionally increased by 1.5 per cent per annum, but the one-off increase acknowledges the impact of inflationary pressures during the current contract period which started in July 2021. It will also be reflected in a similar rise to stipulated minimum salary levels for Local Democracy Reporters.
The pay rises come in the wake of an NUJ FOI request earlier this year that found that some junior local democracy reporters employed under the scheme are paid as little as £16,998 PA for their work, while some “senior” reporters outside London are paid the BBC-set minimum of £24,055. This is despite publishers receiving funding from the BBC this year of £37,733 per filled LDR role (£39,953 London).
All existing news organisations which have approved access to LDRS content will be invited to bid to manage the contracts, with successful applicants expected to be revealed in April 2025.
The new contract period will then begin on July 1, 2025, initially running for a two-a-half-year period to the end of the current BBC Charter. Full details of the tender process can be found on the BBC website.
