The Government are committed to retaining a strong regional dimension to public service broadcasting. That is why the Communications Act 2003 provides safeguards for quality regional programming-making and regional programming and requires Ofcom to set appropriate targets for the provision of news and current affairs programmes.
I have no plans to hold any discussions with ITV on this specific issue as the responsibility for regulating ITV's public service obligations falls to Ofcom. However, I expect these issues to form an important aspect of Ofcom's current PSB review.