BBC Charter Review: Letter to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Dear Lisa,

I write to you further to my letter of 13 October, in relation to broadcasting in Scotland and the ongoing BBC Charter Review process, to which I have not yet received a response.

I am very keen to discuss with you how Scotland’s interests can be appropriately reflected in the Charter Review process and in your upcoming White Paper. As you know, my predecessor made a number of representations in relation to the formulation of the Green Paper, and in the Scottish Government’s response to it. I have also reiterated these priorities in my aforementioned correspondence to you.

To date, these representations have not been taken into account, and I remain deeply concerned that the public service broadcasting ecosystem in Scotland will be further eroded by a renewed Charter which does not address the needs of Scottish audiences and creative professionals. These concerns are compounded by the UK Parliament's Culture, Media and Sport Committee Report, as I have previously set out.

As you know, the next Culture Inter-Ministerial Group meeting for the four nations is in the process of being organised, and I look forward to discussing this crucial issue in that forum. However, I would also be grateful for your written response to the concerns I have set out to date, as well as details of your publication plans for the White Paper, per the Plan for Engagement between our two governments.

Yours sincerely,

MÀIRI MCALLAN