The SNP has attacked a major inquiry into the future of public service broadcasting claiming it is “weighted heavily towards southern England”.

The 'Future for Public Service Television' inquiry is led by Labour peer and former deputy chairman of Channel 4 Lord Puttnam and a team of experts who appear to have little or no experience of Scottish media.

Based at the University of London, the inquiry will examine the challenges facing broadcasters, including budget cuts and the migration of a younger viewers to digital platforms.

The ‘Advisory Committee’ - accused of being too 'anglocentric' - will provide guidance on how best to frame the remit, along with a separate ‘Broadcast Panel’ said to be “composed of leading industry voices”.

However, only one member – former Executive Chair of the Edinburgh International TV Festival, Tim Hincks – appears to have worked north of the border.

As part of the inquiry, events will be held in order to examine “critical issues in the culture, economics, institutions and creative practices of the contemporary television environment”. But all of the events arranged so far are to be held in London, according to the ‘A Future for Public Service Television’ website.

Meanwhile, there appears to be no Scottish representation on any of the panels, with the chair of Arts Council England and a University of Sussex professor among the speakers.

The SNP’s culture, media and sport spokesman at Westminster, John Nicolson MP, who is a former BBC journalist, said: “There is a vigorous debate going on about the future of the television industry in the UK, but everyone accepts that public service broadcasting has a key role to play. Good quality, well informed commission is vital.

“I am therefore surprised to note that none of the principle organisations nor people appointed appear to have any Scottish experience. It is important that Scotland's voice is clearly heard and not overlooked in a review which seems to be weighted heavily towards southern England.

“If this inquiry is to provide an accurate picture, Scotland must be represented fairly.”

The Scottish Government’s culture minister, Fiona Hyslop MSP, urged those leading the inquiry to widen the scope to take in Scottish views.

She said: “Scotland is being under-served by the BBC. The BBC receives £335 million licence fee income for the BBC from Scotland, but the current spend in Scotland is under £200m, with only an estimated £35 million spent on Scottish TV production for Scotland.

“Through the Smith Commission, the Scottish Government has a formal role throughout the process of BBC Charter Renewal for the first time and is working hard to ensure that all of our stakeholders’ voices are heard.

“The people of Scotland have been very active in this debate, and through a broad range of consultations - from the UK Government green paper, to the Scottish Parliament, to the BBC Trust, to our own stakeholder events – there has been a wide range of opportunities to make their views known. It would be helpful if the inquiry considered this as part of their work.”

Des Freedman, who is ‘Project Lead’ for ‘A Future for Public Service Television’ said it is “very early days” for the inquiry but insisted members “fully intend to engage with Scottish audiences”.

He also pledged to organise an event in Scotland “as part of our evolving series of events”.

Freedman said: “We will be delighted to work with and take evidence from, amongst others, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop MSP.

“Additionally, we would strongly welcome any submissions from groups and individuals who want to add non-English voices and perspectives to the inquiry which was specifically set up to embrace debates that are sometimes marginalised in discussions about television.”