quote .....
Although it is not illegal to sell, buy or own a scanning or other receiver in the UK, it must only be used to listen to transmissions meant for GENERAL RECEPTION. The services that you can listen to include Amateur and Citizens' Band transmissions, licensed broadcast radio and weather and navigation broadcasts.
It is an offence to listen to any other radio services unless you are authorised by a designated person to do so.
end of quote
the above quote is taken from the web add'y quoted above .... as a matter of interest does this mean that all U.K. plane spotters using a radio to pick up ATC messages are operating outside of the law?