And OFCOM also gave PPRuNe the following direct interpretation of the law (similar to the above).
Quote:
In short you can use a scanner to listen to anything broadcast for general reception, radio amateurs, CB, weather and navigation broadcasts. Unless you are a police officer or work in the emergency services you are not allowed to listen to their communications.
You can only listen to other services if you have the permission of the sender. The air show is a good example where the control tower frequencies are publicised and that would be considered permission.
Ofcom seem to have only given half the story. If the transmissions are "intended" for your reception then theres is no problem "permission is implicit in the intention" The statement they made is in relation to transmisions for which you were not the intended recipient. You could also argue that any routine ATC message is a "Flight Safety" message and as such is for general reception by those with a vested interest.