Midland MP Jesse Norman has been named the new culture, media and sport select committee chair – days after he pledged to push for a “proper hearing” on BBC investment in the Midlands.
Mr Norman (Con Hereford South) emerged victorious from a five-man ballot to succeed John Whittingdale, who is now the culture secretary.
The former Treasure committee member will play a key role in negotiations over the 10-year BBC charter set to take place over the next 12 months.
His appointment comes as pressure rises on the BBC to increase investment in the Midlands to the same level as its other six UK regions.
Last year, the state broadcaster re-invested just 8.5 per cent of the £942 million collected from licence fees in the Midlands.
For every family paying a licence fee in this region, the BBC spends just £12 while it invests £80 in the North, £122 in Wales and £757 in London.
Speaking to the Post earlier this week, Mr Norman said he would seek to raise the issue of the state broadcaster’s regional spending.
He said: “I am a West Midland MP, I am aware of the concern and I think it deserves proper hearing and discussion.
“I am the only Member of Parliament that has talked about localisation in their pitch, so I am taking the issue very seriously.”
He added: “There is an issue here. It needs proper public consideration and I have already drawn attention to that in the pitch I have made.
“Hopefully, the Commons will hear that because I understand there is concern across the Midlands.”
Mr Norman last-minute entrant in the five-man battle for the culture select committee role.
In his pitch for the position, he said it was “important to look at the case for fairer local arts and broadcast media funding”.
His appointment is another boost to the Post’s campaign to see 50 per cent of the money raised for the BBC in the Midlands to be re-invested here.
Earlier this week it emerged there would be an hour-long debate in Parliament next Tuesday called by Tory MP Mark Spencer, who has accused the BBC of “short-changing” the region.
The broadcaster’s £80 million expenditure in the Midlands – a region with a population the size of the Netherlands – was £80 million last year, less than the £89 million it spent on one building – its Broadcasting House headquarters in London.
