Broadcasting Policy in a Devolved UK

This project will provide a unique and novel forum for discussion, knowledge exchange and cooperation on current and future broadcasting policy in an evolving UK, with a focus on the devolution of broadcasting powers to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The question of whether broadcasting powers should be devolved from Westminster to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, is one that has been debated for many years. Following the election of the New Labour government in 1997, the Scottish Parliament was re-established in 1998, and Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies were set up. At that point, and since, the three nations of the UK have seen significant powers devolved to them: from health and social care, education, to transport, justice and policing and sport, and, in some cases, the arts. Despite this devolution in many policy areas, the legislative and ministerial powers for broadcasting are retained at Westminster; and held by the Secretary of State for the UK-wide Department for Culture, Media and Sport. For example, BBC Royal Charters are agreed with the UK Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Ofcom, the communications regulator, operates under the UK-wide Communications Act 2003. There have been calls from political parties in each of these jurisdictions for broadcasting powers to be devolved, most recently in the Plaid Cymru and Scottish National Party manifestos for the 2024 General Election. However, in the area of broadcasting, devolution to the UK’s three nations in this area has never been introduced. This project will include England within the debate. There, the establishment of directly-elected Metro Mayors – in Manchester, Liverpool, Yorkshire etc. – has seen a degree of limited devolution occur within England. In this uneasy constitutional settlement – following the Brexit referendum vote in 2016, a referendum for Scottish independence in 2014, and with increasing momentum for Irish reunification – there is growing interest in English regional devolution. As such, this is an apposite moment to consider the broadcasting settlement for the entire of the UK. The objectives of this timely project will be: To identify and engage with the main arguments for the devolution of broadcasting powers, and explore how these arguments differ in the four nations under consideration; To consider how debates around devolution of broadcasting powers intersect with debates around: independence for Scotland and Wales; in the case of Northern Ireland, Irish reunification; in the case of England, devolution to the English regions or to England as a whole. To consider how well the current system is working – so as to ask – what would the benefits be if broadcasting powers were devolved; To ascertain the legal and technical options and barriers around the devolution of broadcasting powers. The applications and benefits will include: producing the first comprehensive, four-nations study on this topic; providing an evidence base so as to exchange knowledge and information to inform political and civic debate; engaging with policy makers, politicians, broadcasting organisations, and the public on an issue of real democratic importance.