Hi Siobhan,

Agree with the emphasis on innovation and local talent. Should be encouraged, and we need more risk taking — particularly from BBC Scotland itself. However, don’t use BBC ALBA -tiny budget as part of BBC’s whole — as a scapegoat for BBC Scotland’s failings! If you get rid of the Gaelic channel, what do Gaels have? Nothing. Surely you would agree Gaelic speakers deserve some kind of Gaelic TV service? In broadcasting terms, the hard facts are that the BBC in its annual report has £3.7 Billion. That will cut slightly. Contrast small spend on Alba with (for example):

Radio Scotland £21 million; BBC Radio 5 Live £49 Million per year; BBC 1 XTRA 6.2 Million; CBBC £77 Million; CBeebies £27.7 million; and…. Orchestras and Performing Groups £26.3 million. ‘Orchestras and Performing Groups’ get 4 times as much as Alba. The stats are all in the Annual Report 2014–15.