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...