It [the LDRS] 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.
The 成人快手 is launching a new tendering process for the trail-blazing Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
The unique scheme supports journalism in the local news sector by funding a network of 165 journalists 鈥� all employed by commercial newsrooms 鈥� to scrutinise the work of local authorities across the UK.
Since the scheme鈥檚 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.
Jason Horton, Director 成人快手 Local, says: 鈥淲e 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.
鈥淚t 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.鈥�
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.
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 成人快手 Charter.
JK
Notes
- A total of 79 of the 118 contracts will continue to be allocated to cover democratic institutions across England, with 17 allocated to Scotland and 11 to each of Northern Ireland and Wales.
- The full breakdown of LDRs allocated to each council area is attached as a PDF to this release.
- Further details on the procurement process and links to the e-Tendering portal are available at: