On Thursday 30 April, the IPT was delighted to take a group of MPs to BBC Quay House in Salford. The delegation included Kim Johnson MP, Patrick Hurley MP, Jeff Smith MP, Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Gill German MP, and Iqbal Mohamed MP.

The visit opened with a tour of the studio used for BBC Breakfast, News at One and BBC Sport, where we got to see the programmes’ iconic curved sofa. Richard Frediani, Editor of BBC Breakfast and the News at One, walked the group through how the BBC shapes its news broadcasts to connect with audiences and strengthen engagement.

Led by Julie Cullen, Managing Editor of 5Live, we were after taken into the radio studios, where the team shared insights into their routes into broadcasting and the realities of producing live radio. They explained how they manage fast‑moving news and sports coverage, how they find callers, and the steps taken to ensure on‑air voices reflect a genuinely broad range of perspectives.

We then met with Kate Squire, Senior Head of Content for the North West and North East, who spoke about the role of BBC Local – and BBC Radio Manchester in particular – in amplifying local voices and supporting jobs across Greater Manchester and the wider region. The group also heard from members of the team responsible for sourcing stories for BBC Radio Manchester, who outlined how they identify local narratives and what makes a story resonate on air.

Following this, we paused for lunch and heard from Heidi Dawson, Head of BBC North of England, who outlined the impact of relocating major BBC operations to Salford – both in strengthening representation of audiences across the UK and in driving growth in the local economy. The session included time for a Q&A, giving MPs the opportunity to learn more about the strategic value of the BBC’s northern presence in more depth. Tom Messenger, BBC Head of Political and Parliamentary Engagement, also spoke to the delegation on the Charter Review process, including the BBC’s Green Paper response to the Government’s consultation on the organisation’s future.

We then toured BBC Sport, led by Neil Land, Head of Business for BBC Sport. As a pioneer in sports livestreaming, the team gave us a behind‑the‑scenes look at the technology used to monitor live events and how BBC Sport brings its coverage together in real time.

After this, the group heard from Alistair Hughes, Executive Lead for BBC Children’s and Education, who outlined the role of BBC Bitesize as a trusted educational resource for parents, teachers and young people. He highlighted the growing spread of misinformation among children on social media, and explained how initiatives such as Bitesize’s Other Side of the Story are helping to strengthen media literacy and support teachers in understanding the challenges facing young people across the UK. He also spoke about the continued popularity of CBeebies, while noting the shift in children’s viewing habits towards online streaming. This has driven the BBC’s digital-first approach for children’s content, including the BBC’s new partnership with YouTube, to ensure that content is meeting audiences where they are and remaining universal in a rapidly changing media landscape.

Finally, the group toured Dock10, the shared production hub at MediaCityUK, where we were able to see a range of facilities used by the BBC – including the rehearsal space for the BBC Philharmonic and the studios where Match of the Day is filmed. Led by Alice Webb, CEO of MediaCityUK, the group heard more about the value of this collaborative space and the impact MediaCityUK has on the local area and the North West’s creative economy.

We would like to thank the BBC for hosting such an impactful visit, as well as the six MPs who joined us on the day. We look forward to continuing engaging MPs and Peers with industry through the IPT Fellowship Programme and our upcoming Industry Visits.