Save Our Sound UK Latest News

Save Our Sound UK has recently received a letter from Communications Minister Stephen Timms as a response to SOS UK’s approach to Lord Mandelson on November 9. As well as acknowledging the contribution that the PMSE community makes to the social, cultural and economic well-being of the UK, the Minister stated that: "You have set out your case for a wider basis for financial support, beyond that proposed by Ofcom and we are currently giving this careful consideration, in consultation with Ofcom."  
 
2.   Peter Luff MP grills Ofcom Chief Executive at oral evidence session
 
At his Select Committee oral evidence session on Ofcom’s Annual Plan, Chairman Peter Luff MP questioned Ed Richards on compensation for PMSE and called for proposals to be changed. Ofcom Chief Executive Richards pointed to the Government as final decision-maker but confirms that expected costs for PMSE would be a ‘small proportion’ of likely auction revenues. 
Whilst the transcript is not yet available, watch events unfold on Parliament TV: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=5266 (starts 01:17:46)
 
3.   SOS UK supplies estimates to the Government as eyes turn to the Pre-Budget Report
 
SOS UK last week informed officials at the Department for Business that, on the basis of the investment in existing equipment, then if the campaign’s revised criteria were adopted then the estimated cost would be a shade under £75 million. It is worth noting that, of this £75 million, only £7-8 million would be needed to cover those being evicted from channels 31-37 and 61-68 since the bulk of affected equipment tunes to channel 69 anyway.
 
An indication of the Government’s intentions on the issue is expected to be included in the Pre-Budget Report this Wednesday (December 9). 
  
4.   Select Committee Chairmen table Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons
 
Peter Luff, the MP who has been leading the campaign for PMSE in Westminster, last week tabled a Motion calling on the Government to provide a compensation package that covers all fifteen spectrum channels being cleared, and at levels that cover the full costs of replacing existing equipment with like-for-like alternatives http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=39883&SESSION=903
 
Peter Luff MP is the Chairman of the Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee. John Whittingdale MP, the second signatory of the EDM and co-sponsor, is Chairman of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee. Select Committees scrutinise the work of the relevant Government department on behalf of Parliament and as such are extremely influential.

Save Our Sound UK is now writing to all MPs to urge them to sign the Motion.  
 
5.   The Bishop of Manchester makes the case for compensation
 
During a debate on the Digital Economy Bill on Wednesday December 2, the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, raised concerns about the impact on voluntary organisations: "As part of the overall policy on the digital economy and the sale of the audio spectrum, Ofcom is going to move the channels on which community groups and churches operate their radio mics, rendering the old equipment useless. I am aware that Ofcom is now looking at compensation for that, but are the Government aware that from the point of view of many charities, not just churches, there is a potential problem and a possible case for compensation for equipment that is still serviceable but is no longer useable? I am concerned about unreasonable costs being faced by some voluntary organisations." http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/91202-0004.htm