The Scottish Government

Recommendations

Action and Progress

1. The Commission recommends the creation of a new Scottish Network: a digital public service television channel and an extensive and innovative online platform. The network should be funded out of the new UK settlement for PSB plurality and should be licensed and given full regulatory support by Ofcom.

Establishing a Scottish Digital Network is the Scottish Government's top priority for broadcasting in Scotland. We have made the case for such a network strongly during the last year, and it is notable that both Ofcom and the UK Government have acknowledged the importance of ensuring a choice of Scottish public service broadcasting content. It is very disappointing that the UK Government's Digital Britain report, published on 16 June 2009, did not contain provisions to meet the growing deficit in public service broadcasting provision for Scotland. The Scottish Government will therefore continue to press the case for a new network.

Ofcom's Statement and Recommendations on Public Service Broadcasting was published on 21 January 2009 and welcomed the thoroughness of analysis by the Scottish Broadcasting Commission. The Statement made it clear that Ofcom recognised the "value of choice in public service content for... the devolved nations" and that the digital network for Scotland was a possible way of achieving this. Ofcom also proposed establishing a fund for public service broadcasting in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This fund could either be used to support a new network or to support public service broadcasting on existing channels.

The interim report on Digital Britain was published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) on 29 January 2009. The interim report recognised "the need to secure adequate provision of content for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in the context of any new PSB model", in addition to the necessity of ensuring a plurality of news coverage in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions. It also acknowledged the "desires in Scotland for a stronger, national voice". This was further acknowledged by Lord Stephen Carter, the then UK Government Minister for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting, in a speech in the House of Lords on 25 February 2009, when he spoke of "the importance…of having news and content that reflects the nation's sense of itself".

The Scottish Government's formal response to the Digital Britain Interim Report was issued on 12 March 2009. It stressed that "establishing a new digital network should be the priority for the UK Government in securing a diversity of public service broadcasting content for Scotland." In a further letter to Ben Bradshaw, the newly appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on 12 June 2009, Mike Russell, the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution, again stressed that a Scottish Digital Network was the Scottish Government's key priority for broadcasting.

The UK Government's Digital Britain report was published on 16 June 2009. The report did not engage with the case for a Scottish digital network, despite the clear recognition in both the interim report, and Ofcom's Public Service Broadcasting Review, that choice in public service content for Scotland was valuable.

The Scottish Government is deeply concerned that the UK Government, despite acknowledging Scotland's public service broadcasting deficit, has failed to provide a solution to it. We will continue to press the UK Government on this matter. We have also commissioned research into public attitudes towards broadcasting which, among other things, will explore attitudes towards different funding mechanisms for a new network.

The Scottish Government has also responded to the UK Government's proposals on establishing a "contained contestable element" of the licence fee - this proposal is also referred to as "top-slicing" the licence fee. The UK Government proposes to set aside 3.5% of the television licence fee to support news provision on Channel 3 and - possibly - other forms of public service broadcasting provision. The Scottish Government has noted that the level of top-slicing proposed would be insufficient to meet non-news public service broadcasting needs. We have therefore proposed that a larger element of top-slicing could be required.

2. The Commission recommends that the remit for the new network should include a commitment to high-quality information and entertainment, including news and current affairs covering Scottish and international issues, and innovative and ambitious cultural content.

Development work on this will take place as and when a firm agreement is reached to establish the new network.

3. The Commission recommends that the new network should seek to maximise its educational and economic impact, through partnerships with further and higher education and with Scotland's creative industries, and by promoting Scottish content in the UK and overseas.

The Scottish Government has had discussions with Learning and Teaching Scotland about using the Glow network as a platform for educational content for schools. Learning and Teaching Scotland is currently working with the BBC, Scottish Screen, Scotland on Screen, the Scottish Film Archive and stv in order to place archive film footage onto the Glow site. Much of this footage could be placed onto the Glow network in a manner which allows it to be downloaded and re-edited by students, as well as being watched.

4. The Commission recommends that broadcasters (including the new Scottish Network) should pay close regard to the views expressed by audiences in Scotland and recorded on the Commission's website

Linda Fabiani MSP, the then Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture wrote to all relevant broadcasters advising them that they should be aware of the publication of Platform for Success.

Responses were received from the BBC Trust, ITV and Channel 4. The BBC Trust's response, in particular, was extremely detailed, and is referred to in relation to several of the recommendations in this report. We have also held meetings with Five and with BSkyB.

The Scottish Government has commissioned further research into audience's perceptions of broadcasting in Scotland which follows on from the research commissioned on behalf of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission which was published in April 2008. We anticipate that this research will be published in November 2009. It will allow us to determine whether audiences' views have changed significantly during the period since the Scottish Broadcasting Commission's report was first published, and so will provide strong evidence as to whether broadcasters are meeting the needs of Scottish viewers. We will ensure that all broadcasters are informed of the outcome of the research.

5. The Commission recommends that BBC Scotland should review its television commissioning policy and funding for Scottish programmes to address concerns about ambition and range.

The BBC Audience Council for Scotland's 2008-09 Annual Review, published in August 2009, noted that "audience perceptions of under-provision in Scotland, identified in BBC research, remained more acute than in any other UK nation…". We believe therefore that there is still a case for the BBC to undertake more detailed research on BBC Scotland's programming, and we will take this matter up with the BBC Trust. However we note and welcome initiatives such as the BBC's "This is Scotland" series, which is currently showing a range of new commissions from Scotland on BBC 4.

6. The Commission recommends that Ofcom seeks to maintain the current non-news programme obligations in the two STV licences, but is clear that maintaining Scottish news and current affairs on those services is an absolute requirement of any new settlement.

The then Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture responded to the Ofcom Review of Public Service broadcasting on 28 November 2008. The response clearly stated the Scottish Government's concern at the proposals for reduction in the public service obligations connected with the two stv licences.

On 21 January 2009 Ofcom announced that it had reduced significantly the non-news public service broadcasting obligations on the two stv licences. Stv is now only required to broadcast 90 minutes of non-news services each week. The Scottish Government is disappointed that Ofcom's decision has reduced the obligations upon stv in this way. It notes however that stv has committed itself to increasing the level of Scottish programming that it produces, and that stv expects to increase its expenditure on Scottish productions by 45% between 2008 and 2009.

The Scottish Government sees plurality in Scottish news provision as being essential, and is aware of the importance many viewers place on stv's news service. We are also aware that doubts have been expressed about the sustainability of local news provision on Channel 3. Mike Russell, the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution, therefore wrote to Ben Bradshaw, the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, on 12 June 2009 to stress the importance of supporting Scottish news services on Channel 3. Mr Russell's letter also stressed the need to improve the news service provided to 250,000 people in Scotland who live in the Border TV area, whose local news programme has been broadcast from Gateshead following the merger of the Border and Tyne Tees news programmes.

The Scottish Government notes that the UK Government's Digital Britain report proposed to pilot independently funded news consortia (IFNCs) in the stv areas of Scotland. IFNCs would be funded in the short term by unspent money set aside for meeting the costs of digital switchover, and could in the long term be funded by "top-slicing" the television licence fee. The Scottish Government recognises that this proposal could be a valuable means of supporting Scottish news coverage on Channel 3 in Scotland. However we also believe that the IFNC proposals should take account of the needs of viewers in the South of Scotland. We are also concerned about the timetable for implementing IFNCs, and have stressed the paramount importance of ensuring that viewers in Scotland have a choice of quality independent Scottish news during the 2011 Scottish election campaign.

7. The Commission recommends that the BBC Trust ensures better news coverage of the devolved nations and requires that services in future are more fully aligned with the needs and wishes of Scottish viewers. Options to be considered should include models for fully integrated news programmes from Scotland combining Scottish, UK and international news.

The BBC Trust's response to the Scottish Government highlights the independent review commissioned by the BBC Trust to assess news coverage for the devolved nations.

This review, led by Professor Anthony King, was published on 11 June 2008. Its report concluded that the BBC was missing opportunities to reflect more consistently the reality of devolution, and that it needed to go further in reporting the changing UK with the range that audiences are entitled to expect. It also set out concerns about the precision and clarity of reporting.

The BBC Executive Board has developed an action plan following this review. The BBC Trust has assured the Scottish Government that it is monitoring closely the BBC Executive's progress in implementing the action plan.

BBC Scotland has also emphasised to us that it has recently increased BBC Scotland's emphasis on business issues, and that it has approved plans to invest approximately £1m each year in local news. This investment will also assist in the development on the Democracy Live online portal, which is due to be launched on 12 November 2009.

8. The Commission further recommends that all broadcasters in the UK should review the performance of their news services in reporting the four nations in a manner that is accurate and relevant for all.

See recommendation 7 in respect of the BBC. Linda Fabiani, the then Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture wrote to broadcasters to seek their support in taking forward relevant recommendations of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission report.

ITV, STV and Channel 4 have responded and officials have met with stv, Sky and Five. Sky (which also provides the news service for Five) has emphasised in subsequent correspondence with the Scottish Government that all of its editorial staff are given guidance warning them to ensure, when covering stories, that they are clear about whether they apply to all parts of the UK.

9. The Commission recommends that the BBC reviews the role, remit and funding of Radio Scotland in light of its unique national status and importance to Scottish cultural life.

Radio Scotland has recently been the subject of extensive audience analysis undertaken by BBC Scotland. The results of that analysis are currently being considered by the BBC.

In addition, a full review of Radio Scotland's performance against the terms of its service licence will take place by 2011 at the latest. The current service licence was put in place in 2006 and will be reviewed at least once every five years.

10. The Commission recommends that regulation and support for community radio should be reviewed by Ofcom in Scotland to strengthen this form of broadcasting and its benefits to the public.

Ofcom held a "Focus on Radio" event in Glasgow on 11 June 2009 which included a session on community radio.

The then Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture wrote to Ofcom and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to seek their support for the Scottish Broadcasting Commission report. Ofcom's response of 25 November 2008 stressed that the Communications Act 2003 requires that only holders of community radio licences can have access to the Community Radio Fund. It is therefore not possible for Ofcom to take a flexible view on this issue - legislative change by the UK Government would be required. We raised this issue in our response to the UK Government's interim report on Digital Britain.

The UK Government launched a consultation on amending the licensing requirements for Community Radio on 16 June 2009. The Scottish Government's response highlighted the fact that stations with a clear community character which hold commercial licenses cannot currently obtain support from Ofcom's Community Radio Fund. The Scottish Government also pointed out that decisions on community radio licenses for Scotland could be taken by Ofcom in Scotland. We hope that the UK Government will act to rectify the two difficulties that we have highlighted.

11. The Commission recommends that the BBC Trust and Executive should fulfil the commitment to secure 8.6% of network television production from Scotland (under the Ofcom definition) by the end of 2012; and maintain that level, in line with population share, as a minimum thereafter.

The BBC Trust's response to the Scottish Government reiterated the BBC's commitment to securing at least 8.6% of network television production from Scotland by 2016 at the latest.

The BBC Trust's view is that insisting on more rapid progress towards meeting this target "might have led to short term opportunistic changes, involving existing programme strands". It argues that "achieving sustainable growth across a wide range of genres and with an appropriate mix of in-house and independent production would take longer, but… steady, sustainable development would be more beneficial." It adds that the Audience Council for Scotland "is optimistic that the target might be achieved earlier than 2016, but notes the importance of achieving sustainability and acknowledges that this is a higher priority than meeting the target early."

The Scottish Government is disappointed that the BBC Trust has decided to retain its original target of 2016, since the target of 8.6% of production should represent the status quo. We are not convinced that their meeting the target by 2012 should necessarily lead to the adoption of unsustainable practices.

The Scottish Government does however acknowledge that the 2016 target represents significant progress from the current unacceptably low level of production; that 2016 is seen as the latest possible date for meeting the target; and that an intermediate target of 12% of production being delivered from the devolved nations has been set for 2012. If Scotland were to secure a proportionate share of the 2012 target, approximately 6% of network production would come from Scotland by 2012.

The Scottish Government also welcomes the implementation plans announced by the BBC Executive on 15 October 2008, which made it clear that it intends to build a sustainable production base in Scotland for entertainment, drama, factual, children's and comedy programming.

On 6 August 2009 Ofcom published its Communications Market Report for Scotland. This showed that network production in Scotland had increased from 3.3% in 2007 to 3.7% in 2008. This is a disappointingly small increase, especially given that the 2006 figure was 3.5%. However the Scottish Government also understands that the BBC expects the figure for 2009 to be between 5% and 6%. This would be a significant - though still insufficient - increase, which would reflect increased commissioning of programmes from Scotland during the last year. It is vital to ensure that an increase in TV production of this kind brings lasting benefits to the wider industry in Scotland, rather than primarily benefiting companies and crew who are ordinarily based elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Ofcom's Communications Market report stated that there had been a significant decrease in the level of domestic TV production by the BBC and stv in 2008 - most of which was a result of a decline in the BBC's figures. Although the BBC has subsequently indicated that a significant part of this decline is due to a reclassification of its expenditure on Gaelic programming and online work, the reduction in its expenditure is concerning. Mike Russell, the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution, will discuss this issue with Ken MacQuarrie, the Controller of BBC Scotland.

We will continue to observe closely the implementation of the BBC's commitments - to make sure that they have a genuine impact on the ground, and to ensure that the BBC implements them as quickly as is practical.

12. The Commission recommends that the BBC should establish and maintain a substantial network commissioning presence in Scotland and transfer the management of one of its four national television services to Scotland.

The BBC Trust's response reiterated the commitment it made on 15 October 2008 to base a number of key commissioning roles in Scotland. Since then, three commissioning executives have been appointed in Scotland for factual, entertainment and daytime programming. Sam Anthony was appointed as Knowledge Commissioning Executive Producer, Scotland in May 2009, and earlier in the year Alan Tyler and Jo Street were appointed with responsibilities for entertainment and daytime commissioning respectively. In addition, BBC Scotland's head of drama now has a responsibility for independent drama production for the BBC across the UK.

We welcome these changes, which represent a good start in ensuring that there is a substantial commissioning presence in Scotland. There is some initial evidence that the presence of commissioners is leading to increased commissioning from Scotland, and is a factor in the increased Scottish network share that the BBC expects to achieve in 2009. It is of course vital that new commissions benefit independent television production companies, as well as BBC Scotland.

The BBC Trust has stated that it considers that moving one of its main TV channels outside London "is not appropriate at present" but that the Director General had made clear that this issue "will be kept under review." The Scottish Government will continue to press the BBC on this issue.

13. The Commission recommends that Channel 4 should have a mandatory target for production from Scotland of 8.6% in line with share of population, and that the Channel should base one of its commissioning departments in Scotland.

On 20 January 2009 Channel 4 announced that it would establish a commissioning editor position based in Scotland, and that it would ensure that a proportion of programmes in all of its key programming strands (for example, Dispatches, Cutting Edge and Comedy Lab) would be made by companies based in the devolved nations.

This follows on from its earlier pledge to establish a Nations' Pilot Fund of £1 million from 2009 to address what it perceives as "the lack of critical mass in the production sector in the smaller nations." In addition, Channel 4's digital media innovation fund, 4iP, is budgeting to invest up to £50 million across an initial three year period, much of it outside the M25. As part of the 4iP initiative it has set up a commissioning hub in Scotland.

The Scottish Government welcomes these initiatives, but is still concerned that there is no firm commitment from Channel 4 to increase the share of network production which comes from Scotland. Furthermore, we are disappointed by Ofcom's decision to set a quota of 3% for Channel 4 network production from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combined. Since the devolved nations account for approximately 17% of the UK's population, this figure seems remarkably low. Although we note that Ofcom pledged to review - and consider increasing - these quotas once the future of Channel 4 had been clarified, we still believe that a higher initial quota would have been preferable. We also note that Ofcom's Communications Market Report for Scotland shows that the proportion of network expenditure in Scotland by Channel 4 has fallen from 2.6% in 2006 to 1.7% in 2007 and 1.4% in 2008. This figure is unacceptably low, and we will continue to raise this issue with Channel 4.

We will continue to engage constructively with Channel 4 to encourage and assess its support for network production, and the development of the broadcasting industry, within Scotland. We will also maintain an ongoing constructive dialogue with Ofcom, during which we will encourage it to review the quota set for Channel 4 at the earliest possible date.

14. The Commission recommends that BBC and Channel 4, and the new Scottish Network once established, work together (with the public agencies) on delivering the strategic aims of strengthening and diversifying the independent production base in Scotland.

The Broadcast and TV Working Group established by Scottish Enterprise (see also recommendation 15) includes representatives from the BBC and Channel 4, as well as independent television producers.

15. The Commission recommends that Scottish Enterprise produces the economic development strategy for the sector by the end of December 2008, together with an action plan for how this is to be delivered, taking full account of this Commission's report.

Scottish Enterprise produced the first draft of the economic strategy for Scotland's broadcasting industry in December last year. Following consultation with certain key organisations and individuals in the industry, Scottish Enterprise published the strategy on 18 March 2009.

Since then, Scottish Enterprise has convened the Broadcast and TV Working Group, chaired by David Strachan of Tern TV and the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT). The group includes producers, broadcasters, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Screen. The group seeks to identify gaps between demand and supply, and offer solutions to those gaps. It has met several times to discuss the SBC and Digital Britain reports; hear feedback from the broadcasters; and consider strategic actions to develop the industry. The group recently held a reception at the Guardian Media International Television Festival in Edinburgh to explain its work to the wider production community.

Scottish Enterprise is developing its relationship with BBC Scotland and has had meetings with senior staff such as Bal Samra (Director of BBC Vision Operations & Rights) and Anne Mensah (Head of Drama, BBC Scotland and Head of Independent Drama, BBC). Scottish Enterprise will shortly meet BBC Scotland commissioners.

The SBC recommended that Scottish Enterprise conducts a market assessment of broadcast, and consider this on an annual basis. This is underway; SE is working with PACT, Skillset and BBC Scotland to ensure this activity does not duplicate existing work (such as the annual Skillset census).

Scottish Enterprise account managers continue to work closely with productions companies exhibiting strong growth potential. There are currently 18 account managed companies. In addition, broadcasters Channel 4 and stv are now partners in Scottish Enterprise managed Seed and Co-Investment Funds.

There has been a noticeable increase in Regional Selective Assistance applications from production companies since the broadcasting commission report was published. Recent awards have been made to Shed Media, Keo Films and Talkback Thames. Further applications are being processed.

16. The Commission recommends that Creative Scotland takes the leadership role in bringing together broadcasters, production companies, economic development bodies, skills agencies, further and higher education to work collaboratively in delivering what is required to ensure a thriving creative content sector.

On 5 February 2009 the Scottish Government published a framework document outlining the roles and responsibilities of key support organisations - Creative Scotland, the enterprise agencies and local authorities - in supporting creative industries. The framework document is published at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCultureSport/arts/CulturalPolicy/creative-scotland .

The Creative Industries Framework Agreement Implementation Group was then established to take forward the detailed implementation of the framework document. The implementation group published its final report, Scotland's Creative Industries Partnership Report, on 18 June 2009 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCultureSport/arts/CulturalPolicy/creative-scotland/partnership-report. The report outlined how Creative Scotland, Scottish Local Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise will work together to deliver effective support to the creative industries. Creative Scotland will chair a series of reference groups to reflect the different sub-sectors of the creative industries (television and radio is one of the thirteen sub-sectors). These reference groups will be formed during the remainder of 2009.

17. The Commission recommends that Skills Development Scotland, Skillset and the further and higher education sectors ensure they are positioned to anticipate changes in the skills requirement in the fast-moving broadcasting environment and realign their activities accordingly to avoid skills gaps in Scotland.

Skillset worked in partnership with the SFC to agree an investment package in Skillset's Screen and Media Academies in Scotland worth £5.8 million into further and higher education in the creative industries for the next five years, from 2009-10 (£3.9/0.4/0.5/0.5/0.5m).

Much of this investment is to improve equipment and facilities in tertiary education during 2009-10. Approximately £400k each year will help to fund an additional 80 postgraduate students each year - 40 in broadcasting and 40 in other creative industries. This additional investment represents a significant and very welcome step in ensuring that further and higher education facilities in Scotland are equipped to meet future skills requirements in broadcasting and the creative industries.

Skillset additionally presented a paper on industry priorities to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning in April 2009. This highlighted a need to support high-end drama skills development; flexible apprenticeship-type provision in craft and technical grades; flexible funding to support CPD needs of the existing workforce; and enhanced management and leadership skills. Skillset is currently discussing the potential for investment in these areas directly with Skills Development Scotland.

18. The Commission recommends that the Scottish Parliament takes an active role in considering the broadcasting industry and services audiences in Scotland receive, in order to provide a visible and public forum for debate.

Ultimately, it is for the Parliament to develop its own ways of looking at broadcasting more actively. The Scottish Government welcomed the debates in the Scottish Parliament on broadcasting on 8 October 2008 and 4 December 2008.

The Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee heard evidence from Mark Thompson, the Director General of the BBC and Ken MacQuarrie, the Controller of BBC Scotland, on 18 June 2009. This is the first occasion on which the Director General of the BBC has given evidence to the Scottish Parliament. The Committee has also indicated that it plans to take evidence from Ofcom and Channel 4 again later this year.

19. The Commission recommends that Scottish Ministers should have greater responsibility, within the UK framework, for those operational functions directly affecting Scotland.

The Scottish Government will continue to discuss this with the UK Government. Following the publication of the Calman Commission report on 15 June, the Scottish Government has made it clear that it would like the recommendation relating to broadcasting to be implemented immediately. This recommendation - for the Scottish member of the BBC Trust to be appointed by Scottish Ministers rather than by Ofcom - is a sensible, though extremely limited, step. It does not require legislative change, and its implementation is not dependent on other recommendations included in the Calman Commission's report.

The Scottish Broadcasting Commission also recommended that Scottish Ministers assume responsibility for approving the appointment of Board members of MG Alba. It is unfortunate that this recommendation was not also included in the Calman Commission's recommendations - however the Scottish Government believes that it would be a straightforward way of giving Scottish Ministers slightly greater responsibility for broadcasting within Scotland.

Finally, the Scottish Broadcasting Commission recommended that Ofcom's board should include a specific representative for Scotland, and that greater decision-making powers should be devolved to Ofcom Scotland.

The changes which relate to the boards of MG Alba and Ofcom would require legislative change at Westminster. Mike Russell has written to Ben Bradshaw, the UK Government Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, proposing that the Digital Economy Bill would be an appropriate vehicle for these changes. The Digital Economy Bill is due to be introduced at Westminster during the 2009-10 Parliamentary session and will include provisions relating to public service broadcasting. Mike Russell's letter also reiterated the Scottish Government's belief that the Calman Commission's recommendation in relation to the BBC Trust should be implemented as soon as possible.

The Scottish Government is taking forward work on broadcasting as part of the National Conversation on Scotland's Future. It is today publishing a National Conversation paper on the opportunities and challenges for Scottish broadcasting arising from constitutional change, and it hopes that this paper will stimulate and provoke debate.

20. The Commission recommends that the relevant public agencies in Scotland, the BBC Trust and Ofcom monitor and report annually on the broadcasting industry and services to audiences in Scotland, in line with their respective responsibilities.

The BBC Trust's response to the Scottish Government stated that it "would be happy to discuss with the Scottish Government how it can improve dialogue with the Scottish Parliament and with MSPs." As indicated in the summary of recommendation 18, Mark Thompson, the Director General of the BBC, gave evidence to the Enterprise, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee on 18 June.

Ofcom wrote to the conveners of the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee and the Enterprise and Transport Committee on 5 March 2009 and proposed giving evidence on its activities on an annual basis to a joint session of both committees (in addition to its broadcasting responsibilities, Ofcom also regulates the telecommunications industry). On consideration, the Committees have taken the view that they would prefer to continue to take evidence from Ofcom separately on their specific areas of interest.

Ofcom has also stressed that it produces a large number of research reports which are publicly available, including its annual Communications Market Report for Scotland, which can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/features/cmrscot.

21. The Commission recommends that the influence and responsibilities of Ofcom Scotland should be strengthened and there should be specific representation for Scotland on the Ofcom Board (at UK level).

Ofcom's initial response to the letter sent by the then Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture stresses that "Ofcom Scotland plays a major role in our policy making".

Ofcom states that the issue of representation on the Ofcom Board is for the UK Government to consider. As indicated in the information provided for recommendations 10 and 19, we have emphasised to the UK Government that officials at Ofcom in Scotland should take decisions on community radio licences granted in Scotland, and that the forthcoming Digital Economy Bill would be an appropriate legislative vehicle for making changes to the composition of the Ofcom Board.

22. The Commission recommends that Scottish Ministers report overall progress on implementing our report to the Scottish Parliament in September 2009, 2010 and 2011.

This report is the first of these annual reports. Further reports will be produced in September 2010 and September 2011.