Westminster urged not to use licence fee cash to fund regulator
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has called on the UK Government to ensure that money from the television licence fee is not used to fund regulator Ofcom.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has called on the UK Government to ensure that money from the television licence fee is not used to fund regulator Ofcom.
Ms Hyslop said it was vital the communications watchdog is adequately funded before taking over regulation of the BBC from the BBC Trust next spring.
She urged UK Government ministers to make a firm commitment not to ask the corporation to divert cash away from programme-making.
The Scottish Government wants further decentralisation within the BBC to bring decision-making on output to Scotland closer to viewers and listeners, which it argues will require closer scrutiny by Ofcom.
Ms Hyslop said: "The decision to appoint Ofcom as the BBC's external, independent regulator means it now has a pivotal role to play in ensuring that the BBC delivers for Scotland and that this nation is treated much more fairly than it has in the past.
"Positive change can only be achieved if Ofcom is adequately resourced to manage the wide-ranging nature of its responsibilities.
"The UK Government must commit to adequate funding for Ofcom, but this must not be funded by the licence fee.
"People across Scotland pay their licence fee to allow the BBC to deliver high-quality productions, not the regulation of the BBC. Instead, this funding should be provided by the UK Government.
"I'm committed to ongoing engagement with BBC Scotland and continue to offer my full support and assistance so that the corporation can realise its true potential and deliver more for the people of Scotland.
"I have already made an offer to meet with senior figures from the BBC and Ofcom to continue to progress the position supported by the Scottish Parliament and the wider sector in Scotland, and will continue to press the UK Government for clarity on the funding mechanisms for Ofcom."
A Department for Culture, Media & Sport spokesman said: "The BBC currently funds its regulation by the BBC Trust and has done since its inception.
"As regulation moves to Ofcom, it is appropriate that the BBC continues to fund its regulation."