Chamber and committees

The BBC and Public Service Broadcasting in Scotland

Submitted by: Màiri McAllan, Clydesdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 November 2026
Motion type: Motion For Debate
Motion reference: S7M-01962
Current status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, 10 November 2026

That the Parliament opposes the BBC's proposal to close the linear BBC Scotland channel and to discontinue Reporting Scotland: News at Seven; expresses concern that proposed changes could reduce access to Scottish news and public broadcasting, particularly for audiences who rely on traditional television services, and could impact jobs and investment in Scotland; highlights the contribution of broadcasting to Scotland's economy through investment in skilled jobs, the screen sector and the creative industries workforce; notes the importance of fair and sustainable support for Gaelic media and the continuing disparity in funding between Gaelic-language and Welsh-language broadcasting; believes that licence fee revenues raised in Scotland should be reinvested in full in Scotland; recognises the opportunity presented by the ongoing BBC Charter Review to deliver greater accountability, representation and investment for Scotland; believes that BBC television and radio must authentically reflect the lives of people in Scotland, and calls on the UK Government to devolve responsibility for broadcasting to the Scottish Parliament.

Supported by: Siobhian Brown, Alyn Smith