The Digester

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper agreed an extra £11m a year for three years to the BBC World Service to help counter global disinformation, ending a period of funding uncertainty while officials say the increase will barely outpace inflation by the settlement's end.

The government will provide an extra £11m a year to the BBC World Service for the next three years, agreed by foreign secretary Yvette Cooper.
The increase is about 8% on last year but is likely to only keep pace with inflation by the end of the settlement.
The deal ends months of funding uncertainty just weeks before the previous funding was due to expire.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the settlement raises World Service funding 42% above 2024-25 levels.
BBC leaders say cuts have already been made while rivals such as China and Russia expand global media spending.
The BBC launched an emergency radio service for Iran after internet shutdowns, and one in four Iranians sought World Service access before the cutoffs.
The Commons public accounts committee warned that freezing funding would risk opening the door to propaganda from hostile states.
Full funding details will be published Thursday as part of the government announcement on its three-year aid spending plan.

UK adds £11m a year to BBC World Service in three-year deal

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