BBC vows to better reflect working-class audiences across UK

A review found the BBC is more inclusive and authentic than a few years ago but says it must urgently measure social class on and off air. The report urges the broadcaster to do more to connect with working-class audiences and people outside London and the south of England.

The review finds the BBC has become more inclusive and authentic in portraying UK communities compared with a few years ago. It nevertheless identifies persistent gaps in how working-class people and those outside London and the south of England are connected with and portrayed. The authors welcomed recent BBC announcements that align with the review’s priorities. They also recommended changes to how diversity is measured and monitored across programmes. Key findings: - The report says the BBC is more inclusive and authentic now than in past years, but further work is needed. - It calls for class to be measured on and off air as an urgent priority. - The review identifies two persistent issues: the need to connect better with working-class audiences and with people living outside London and the south of England. - It finds the BBC often focuses diversity efforts on race, disability and, to some extent, gender, while geography and class receive significantly less attention. - The report recommends that the geographical background of presenters and contributors be recorded as a diversity characteristic and that commissioners be held accountable. - It also notes that portrayals of working-class communities can be uneven, sometimes leaning on themes such as poverty, crime, addiction and de-industrialisation, with fewer positive role models. Summary: The review highlights that representation has improved but that the style and understanding of working-class portrayal need further attention, especially in news and factual content. It recommends urgent measurement of class, monitoring of presenters’ geographical backgrounds, and greater accountability for commissioners; recent BBC announcements were described as aligning with these priorities.