CABINET MINISTER TO VISIT BORDERS TO SEE DIGITAL SWITCHOVER PREPARATIONS

2.18.05pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 10th Jun 2008

The Culture, Media and Sport Secretary of State, Andy Burnham MP, is to visit the Borders at the invitation of local MP Michael Moore to see for himself the preparations being made for the switchover to digital television.

Mr Moore met with the Secretary of State at the House of Commons on Monday to discuss the issues which have emerged from the digital switchover process in the Borders in the last few months. In particular, he raised the issues of "Freeview Lite", the future of regional television in the context of the ITV plans to axe Look Around on ITV Border, and the information campaign which Digital UK and the help schemes are undertaking in the region at present.

Mr Moore highlighted the unfairness of the "Freeview Lite" situation which means that nearly half the people in the Borders will receive an inferior Freeview package after switchover, with only half the number of stations that will be available to other viewers. The MPs discussed the obligations on the commercial broadcasters to put their multiplexes into the relay transmitters which serve a huge proportion of the Borders population. Mr Burnham undertook to speak with his officials in the department and write to Mr Moore in the near future.

The meeting allowed Mr Moore the opportunity to highlight the combination of broadcasting issues which will have a profound effect on rural areas like the Borders. He pointed out that the lack of a full Freeview service for many people, the loss of regional identity through the merger of ITV's news operations, and the market-driven approach of Ofcom, which risks leaving rural areas out as new services develop, will all combine to disadvantage the Borders.

Mr Moore welcomed Mr Burnham's willingness to visit the Borders to see things in action for himself. His proposed visit follows that of his predecessor, James Purnell MP, who visited the Borders at Mr Moore's invitation last August.

After the meeting, Mr Moore said:

"It is clear to me that Mr Burnham appreciates the seriousness of the issues facing the Borders and wants to understand them first hand. He is also clearly committed to the success of the digital switchover process, and for that reason I believe it is important that he studies the Borders experience carefully.

"Digital television switchover is a major development which should be positive, but there remain some key areas such as "Freeview Lite" and the future of regional broadcasting which need to be sorted. I welcome the Secretary of State's close interest in these matters."