Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 12 November 2025.
Jackie Dunbar
Scottish National Party
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its latest engagement with STV regarding the broadcaster’s plans to cut jobs and regional news programming. (S6O-05125)
Angus Robertson
Scottish National Party
Following my written correspondence with Scottish Television, I met the broadcaster on 6 November to emphasise the critical importance of protecting jobs that are based in the media industry in Scotland and the vital outputs of regional news services. During the coming weeks, I will also meet the regulator, ofcom, and the National Union of Journalists to discuss the implications of the proposals.
I recognise the anxiety of the situation for many affected staff members and communities, particularly those in northern Scotland, and I reaffirm the Scottish Government’s commitment to protect sustainable jobs, maintain regional representation and uphold the broadcaster’s public service obligations.
Jackie Dunbar
Scottish National Party
STV claimed that falling viewer figures and advertising revenue were to blame for it slashing 60 jobs and axing north of Scotland news. However, we have now learned from STV North’s own accounts that profits rose by almost 24 per cent last year on the back of increased income from advertising. The cuts simply do not make sense and they fail communities and viewers in Aberdeen and the north-east. Does the Cabinet secretary agree that local journalism is a vital part of a democratic society? Can he provide an update on the latest engagement with STV in the light of that news?
Angus Robertson
Scottish National Party
I agree with Jackie Dunbar that local journalism is a vital part of our democratic society. That is why I will continue to emphasise our strong Opposition to the proposals, which put sustainable Scottish jobs and the outputs of vital news services at risk. I met Scottish Television last week to press the importance of protecting jobs for media professionals across Scotland. I will also meet ofcom and the National Union of Journalists in the coming weeks to discuss STV’s proposals and set out the Scottish Government’s deep concerns, which Jackie Dunbar has raised.
I have heard important points from members across the chamber about advertising income and its future projections. That is a matter for STV to explain to us all.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.
Ofcom Web Site http://www.ofcom.org.uk
The cabinet is the group of twenty or so (and no more than 22) senior government ministers who are responsible for running the departments of state and deciding government policy.
It is chaired by the prime minister.
The cabinet is bound by collective responsibility, which means that all its members must abide by and defend the decisions it takes, despite any private doubts that they might have.
Cabinet ministers are appointed by the prime minister and chosen from MPs or peers of the governing party.
However, during periods of national emergency, or when no single party gains a large enough majority to govern alone, coalition governments have been formed with cabinets containing members from more than one political party.
War cabinets have sometimes been formed with a much smaller membership than the full cabinet.
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The cabinet normally meets once a week in the cabinet room at Downing Street.
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