Published: November 13, 2008
Burnham-On-Sea MP attacks BBC over £68m video news plans

Burnham-On-Sea's MP has hit out at the BBC over its plans to spend £68 million on setting up a new local online video news service across the UK.

David Heathcoat-Amory has written to Andy Burnham, the Secretary of State for Department for Culture, Media and Sport, after it was revealed that the BBC intends to spend tens of millions of pounds on the new online operation.

Mr Heathcoat-Amory wrote: "I write to object to plans by the BBC to spend £68million on setting up on-line video news outlets."

"I believe there is no justification for state-funded intervention on this scale. My area is already well served by local media."

"At a time when local media services are facing the effects of the recession I do not believe that this initiative by the BBC is defensible, or a good use of taxpayers' money. I very much hope that you will be able to get the BBC to reconsider this decision."

Burnham-On-Sea.com was the first local news website in the Burnham area to offer video news coverage. A full archive is available here.