The UK government has awarded £6 million from its Local News Fund to 50 local news organisations, according to a Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announcement published on 5 November 2026 during Journalism Matters Week. Most recipients are local print, online, TV and radio outlets receiving grants of up to £125,000 to invest in community outreach, digital tools, apps and multimedia services aimed at younger audiences and more sustainable income. The department said grants were spread evenly across England and Wales.

The remainder went to seven organisations, including software developers and major industry players, with grants of up to £275,000 to build infrastructure benefiting the wider sector. The fund sits within the government's Local Media Action Plan, which Media Minister Ian Murray said is intended to help newsrooms adapt to the online world.

The same plan includes the "Inspiring the Future" careers campaign, jointly funded by the News Media Association. Its initial six-month pilot focused on the North West and reached more than 11,000 students across more than 100 schools, with 79% having above national average free school meal eligibility. The government said national rollout would depend on evaluation and funding. A meeting of the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists was also due to agree a refreshed National Action Plan.