The Traitors: BBC Scotland writes to committee about regional production

• Correspondence with Hayley Valentine, Director, BBC Scotland, regarding the work of the BBC in Scotland
• Watch: The work of the BBC in Scotland - Oral evidence
• Scottish Affairs Committee

This follows a letter from the committee’s Chair, Patricia Ferguson, to BBC Scotland, asking for clarity about the BBC’s commitment to regional production in Scotland, and specifically in regard to its reality TV show The Traitors. The show is classified as a ‘Scottish’ production according to rules set by the media regulator Ofcom.  

Under these rules, if a programme meets at least two of three criteria relating to out-of-London activity, it’s considered a ‘regional’ production and allocated to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or one of three English ‘macro-regions’. The Traitors is allocated to Scotland because its production company, Studio Lambert, has a ‘substantive base’ there. The show also meets the criterion that more than 50% of its production staff are based outside of London. 

The Chair’s letter requested the latest available data on the proportion of The Traitors’ production budget spent specifically in Scotland, and the proportion of staff working on the production who are Scotland-based, across the three series that have been broadcast to date. In their reply, BBC Scotland offered only limited information and indicated this data would not be published. 

However, BBC Scotland did confirm – contrary to the findings of a recent analysis by the Speaking Up for Scotland’s Screen Talent (SUSST) campaign group – that the number of Scotland-based production staff had increased between series one and two. 

The letter also detailed how the BBC has begun working with Studio Lambert Scotland, the show’s production company, and Screen Scotland to develop the local creative industry, running training for Scottish reality television production roles.  

On the broader question of the BBC’s commitment to regional production, the letter noted that the BBC’s goal is to deliver its regulatory target of investing at least 8% of BBC network spend in Scotland without relying on series that are only allocated to Scotland because the production company has a ‘substantive base’ there. 

Chair comment

The Scottish Affairs Committee Chair, Patricia Ferguson, said: 

“I’m delighted that one of the most popular shows in the UK is shot in the Scottish Highlands. However, it's key that the BBC makes sure that local creative industry and the economy can benefit from this production.  

“BBC Scotland’s reply doesn’t offer specific numbers about the amount of money it’s spending on The Traitors in Scotland, or the proportion of Scotland-based production staff. However, I’m pleased to hear that the number of Scotland-based crew has increased between series one and two.  

“As we heard in our evidence session last month, there is huge talent in Scotland’s screen sector. I was glad to hear that the BBC is committed to training local creatives for specific work on its specialised reality TV productions, and to ensuring Scottish crew play a leading role in its other Scottish network productions going forward.” 

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Images: House of Commons