The UK government has increased funding for community radio stations by £600,000, bringing total support to £1 million for 2025/26. The uplift, delivered through the Community Radio Fund (CRF) and overseen by Ofcom, will help stations create jobs, train volunteers, and expand audiences.
With over 300 community radio stations across the UK, this funding strengthens their ability to provide local content and connect communities. Most of the fund (£900,000) will be distributed as grants, while £100,000 will be used by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support sector initiatives like audience research and new services in underserved areas.
Media Minister Stephanie Peacock emphasised community radio’s vital role in informing and entertaining local audiences, reaffirming the government’s commitment to its growth and sustainability.
Since its launch in 2005, the CRF has helped more than 150 community stations remain viable. The funding increase enables more stations to secure grants ranging from £5,000 to £30,000, supporting new roles and long-term operational success.
Ofcom will announce details on the funding application process, with submissions opening in September.
Quotes:
Media Minister Stephanie Peacock said:
Community radio plays an important role in the lives of many people across the UK, helping to keep them informed, entertained and connected to the world around them.
We are committed to ensuring the growth and sustainability of the sector, which is why we have boosted funding to help stations create more jobs, build their businesses and reach even more listeners.
Mark Jones, Chair of the Community Radio Fund, said:
With the fund more than doubling for this year, we’ll be able to support new roles at even more stations. This will help community radio stations operate sustainably and continue to serve their local areas with creative and distinctive programming.
Vijay Umrao, Chair of the Community Media Association, said:
The increase in funding will help the Community Radio Fund achieve its primary role of providing grants to help fund the core costs of running Ofcom-licensed community radio stations, enabling the stations to continue their pivotal work of serving their local communities, something the sector has been doing for 20 years.
Martin Steers, Director of the UK Community Radio Network, said:
We welcome this uplift in support of the vital work community radio stations are doing across the country, now quite often the only local radio stations serving local communities, providing a platform for their issues, encouraging community cohesion, and holding local councils and others to account.