City MP Gisela Stuart has hit out at the BBC for only holding interviews for would-be journalists in London and Salford.

Ms Stuart has written to director general Tony Hall to complain that the BBC Journalism Trainee Scheme would solely see candidates interviewed in those cities, despite overtures about taking Birmingham seriously.

The Edgbaston Labour MP was a major figure in campaigning for more BBC investment in the city last year and with head of business development Tommy Nagra departing the role she said she had been disappointed with the results thus far.

The broadcaster announced last May that its talent centre, the BBC Academy, was moving to the Mailbox, claiming it would mean more young people would start their careers in the city.

But the journalism scheme, a paid initiative to give journalists experience to broaden their broadcasting skills, will be held elsewhere.

Ms Stuart said: “Given that this was supposed to be heralded as great news, having apprenticeship admissions in Birmingham and now they are not even coming to Birmingham to interview, I find it very disappointing.

“I have written to Tony Hall to point out that what they are doing in Salford and London they should be doing here too.”

Previous BBC trainee scheme graduates include past and present BBC director generals Mark Thompson, news presenter Huw Edwards, Radio Two presenter Jeremy Vine, The Office co-creator Stephen Merchant, as well as Mr Hall himself.

Ms Stuart has campaigned hard for the BBC to spend more in Birmingham, with Midland TV licence fee payers stumping up more of the broadcaster’s budget than any other region despite it lying at the bottom of its spending table.

She said she was convinced the city was a priority for the broadcaster after meeting Mr Hall and James Purnell, the BBC’s director of strategy and digital.

However, speaking to the Post this week, she said nowhere near enough progress had been made.

She said: “So far the project has been very disappointing.

“There is so far insufficient visible evidence that transformation has occurred in Birmingham.

“We always said we didn’t want to rob Peter to pay Paul but when new things happen they should look at bringing them here.”

A BBC spokesperson said last year more than 100 BBC local journalism and technology apprentices from across the UK to do their training in BBC Birmingham.

She added: “On this particular trainee scheme, work placements will definitely include BBC Birmingham.

“This is one of a number of UK-wide initiatives that The Academy will roll out over the next year.

“On a local level, The Academy has already made a significant investment in apprentices and trainees in Birmingham.

“In technology, we have 14 apprentices and trainees in total, and we are delighted that Birmingham City University is a teaching provider on this course.”