UK Inquiry Tracker

The future of Gaelic Broadcasting

Scottish Affairs Committee Open Inquiry

Opened: 22 Jun 2026 Parliament page

Gaelic remains an important part of Scotland’s cultural identity and, despite a long-term decline in its use, the latest census indicates an increase in the number of people with Gaelic language skills. However, MG Alba, the Gaelic Media Service that delivers BBC ALBA, has warned that Gaelic broadcasting “faces a … Read more Gaelic remains an important part of Scotland’s cultural identity and, despite a long-term decline in its use, the latest census indicates an increase in the number of people with Gaelic language skills. However, MG Alba, the Gaelic Media Service that delivers BBC ALBA, has warned that Gaelic broadcasting “faces a time of great jeopardy” due to underfunding of the service and has called for a stronger statutory footing and greater funding stability to secure its future. This inquiry will explore the value of Gaelic broadcasting for the revival of the Gaelic language and culture. The Committee will examine the statutory and funding issues faced by the industry and will look at how the BBC can better support minority language broadcasting, like Scottish Gaelic. Read the call for evidence for more details about the inquiry. The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday 31 July 2026. Craoladh Gàidhlig san àm ri teachd Rannsachadh Tha Gàidhlig fhathast na pàirt chudromach de dhearbh-aithne chultarail na h-Alba agus, a dh’aindeoin crìonadh ann an cleachdadh a’ chànain fad ùine mhòr, tha an cunntas-sluaigh as ùire a’ sealltainn àrdachadh ann an àireamh nan daoine aig a bheil sgilean sa Ghàidhlig. Ach tha MG Alba, Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig a tha a’ lìbhrigeadh BBC ALBA, air rabhadh a thoirt seachad gu bheil craoladh “ann an cunnart mòr aig an àm seo” mar thoradh air dìth maoineachaidh dhan t-seirbheis agus tha iad air iarraidh gum bi bunait reachdail nas treasa ann agus barrachd seasmhachd a thaobh maoineachaidh gus am bi e seasmhach san àm ri teachd. Coimheadaidh an rannsachadh air an luach aig craoladh na Gàidhlig airson ath-bheothachadh na Gàidhlig agus a cultair. Nì a’ Chomataidh rannsachadh air na cùisean reachdail is maoineachaidh a tha mu choinneamh a’ ghnìomhachais agus coimheadaidh iad air mar as urrainn dhan BhBC taic nas fheàrr a thoirt do chraoladh ann am mion-chànanan, leithid Gàidhlig na h-Alba. Leugh an gairm fianais airson barrachd fiosrachaidh mun rannsachadh. Is e 5f air Dihaoine 31 Iuchar 2026 an latha mu dheireadh airson tagraidhean Show less

19 Written submissions

2 Oral sessions

2 Events

Activity timeline 21 events

9 Sep
2026

Written evidence · FOGB0009

Dr Enrique Uribe-Jongbloed, Centre for the Creative Economy, School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff Uiversity

9 Sep
2026

Written evidence · FOGB0010

Dr Craig Willis, European Centre for Minority Issues

9 Sep
2026

Written evidence · FOGB0011

MacTV

9 Sep
2026

Written evidence · FOGB0012

BBC

9 Sep
2026

Written evidence · FOGB0013

MR ISHTIAQ HUSSAIN, IAAPA — Independent Analysis and Policy Architecture

9 Sep
2026

Written evidence · FOGB0014

Astar Media Ltd

9 Sep
2026

Written evidence · FOGB0015

Screen Scotland (on behalf of Creative Scotland, inclusive of Screen Scotland)

9 Sep
2026

Written evidence · FOGB0016

Scottish Government

9 Sep
2026

Written evidence · FOGB0017

Iain Campbell

9 Sep
2026

Written evidence · FOGB0018

Bòrd na Gàidhlig

9 Sep
2026

Written evidence · FOGB0019

MG Alba

9 Sep
2026

Written evidence · FOGB0020

Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions

2 Sep 2026

View on parliament.uk

Gaelic Broadcasting – Session 2

Deirdre Ní Choistín · TG4 Delyth Evans · S4C Donald Campbell · MG Alba Geraint Evans · S4C John Morrison · MG Alba Luke McCullogh · BBC Scotland Luke McCullough · Nations, BBC Margaret Mary Murray · BBC Scotland Trevor Ó Clochartaigh · TG4

1 Jul 2026

View on parliament.uk

The future of Gaelic broadcasting - Session 1

Conchúr Ó Giollagáin · University of the Highlands and Islands Dr Ingeborg Birnie · University of Strathclyde Ealasaid MacDonald · Bòrd na Gàidhlig Robert Dunbar · Bòrd na Gàidhlig

Written evidence 19 submissions recorded

Submission metadata is shown here; use the source links to read the evidence on Parliament’s website.

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Reference	Date	Submitter
FOGB0009 Full text not held	9 Sep 2026	Dr Enrique Uribe-Jongbloed, Centre for the Creative Economy, School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff Uiversity
FOGB0010 Full text not held	9 Sep 2026	Dr Craig Willis, European Centre for Minority Issues
FOGB0011 Full text not held	9 Sep 2026	MacTV
FOGB0012 Full text not held	9 Sep 2026	BBC
FOGB0013 Full text not held	9 Sep 2026	MR ISHTIAQ HUSSAIN, IAAPA — Independent Analysis and Policy Architecture
FOGB0014 Full text not held	9 Sep 2026	Astar Media Ltd
FOGB0015 Full text not held	9 Sep 2026	Screen Scotland (on behalf of Creative Scotland, inclusive of Screen Scotland)
FOGB0016 Full text not held	9 Sep 2026	Scottish Government
FOGB0017 Full text not held	9 Sep 2026	Iain Campbell
FOGB0018 Full text not held	9 Sep 2026	Bòrd na Gàidhlig
FOGB0019 Full text not held	9 Sep 2026	MG Alba
FOGB0020 Full text not held	9 Sep 2026	Highlands and Islands Enterprise
FOGB0001 Full text not held	2 Sep 2026	The Highland Council
FOGB0002 Full text not held	2 Sep 2026	Ms Christine Morrison, Corcadal Productions
FOGB0003 Full text not held	2 Sep 2026	Arthur Cormack, Macmeanmna Ltd
FOGB0004 Full text not held	2 Sep 2026	Christopher Gilmour
FOGB0005 Full text not held	2 Sep 2026	Dr Ingeborg Birnie, University of Strathclyde
FOGB0007 Full text not held	2 Sep 2026	Mr Ronan Docherty
FOGB0008 Full text not held	2 Sep 2026	Patricia Fort, n/a

The future of Gaelic Broadcasting

Activity timeline 21 events

Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions

Written evidence 19 submissions recorded

The future of Gaelic Broadcasting