The BBC has announced a 6.5pc funding increase for the Local Democracy Reporter scheme as the tendering process for the latest round of contracts gets under way.

The corporation funds a network of 165 journalists employed in commercial newsrooms to scrutinise the work of councils across the UK.

Current contracts to manage the LDRs in particular areas expire in June and the tendering process for the next round of contracts has now begun.

A total of 118 contracts will be issued, limited to a maximum of three reporters per contract, and will run for the two and a half year period to the end of the current BBC Charter in December 2027.

Since the scheme’s inception in 2017, it has produced more than more than 440,000 stories for over 1,100 different news outlets.

Funding for the service will increase by 6.5pc from July 2025 which the BBC says will also be reflected in a similar rise to minimum salary levels for LDRs.

Jason Horton, director BBC Local, said: “We 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 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.”

All news organisations which have approved access to LDRS content will be invited to bid to manage the contracts, with the successful applicants expected to be revealed in April 2025.

Most of the current contracts are held by the ‘big three’ regional publishers Reach, Newsquest and National World, but some smaller and hyperlocal publishers have previously succeeded in winning contracts in particular areas, for instance Brighton and Hove News, Raxio Exe, Caerphilly Media and Social Spider.