Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 October 2023
25 Oct 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Culture Sector
The Scottish Government is evidently committed to growing a more sustainable, diverse and impactful culture sector in Scotland. Given that the creative industries are worth billions to Scotland, supporting tens of thousands of jobs, the importance of that commitment has never been greater.
We are fortunate to live in a country with so many talented people and a unique and vibrant culture, which makes Scotland a desirable and diverse place to live, providing opportunity to grow the economy and create skilled jobs and successful businesses.
The Scottish Government’s dedication to funding arts for Scotland’s young people cannot be overlooked. I was pleased that the cabinet secretary talked about the youth music initiative, which ensures that every school pupil in Scotland can access a year of free music tuition by the time they leave primary school, which represents a very sound investment of £9.5 million a year.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-10917, in the name of Neil Bibby, on supporting Scotland’s culture sector. I invite members who wish to p...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Scottish Labour has brought forward this debate because we recognise and revere the enormous contribution that the arts and culture sector makes to Scotland’...
Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Neil Bibby
Lab
I mean no offence in saying this, Mr Brown, but I would be happy to take an intervention from the cabinet secretary, whom I was requesting details from. Let...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I advise members that there is no time in hand and that that will be ruthlessly enforced. I call Angus Robertson, who has up to five minutes. 16:47
The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (Angus Robertson)
SNP
I apologise to you, Presiding Officer, and to members in the chamber that, exceptionally, owing to the change in parliamentary business timings, I will not b...
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the minister give way?
Angus Robertson
SNP
I will make a bit of progress first, if the member does not mind. We have committed to increasing opportunities for participation and creative pursuits in s...
Craig Hoy
Con
Is Mr Robertson aware that the future of the Lammermuir festival in East Lothian is in doubt after Creative Scotland withdrew all funding from the programme ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Briefly.
Craig Hoy
Con
Is it not the case that what Scotland’s arts and heritage organisations need—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Cabinet secretary.
Craig Hoy
Con
—is more funding today and not headline-grabbing promises for tomorrow?
Angus Robertson
SNP
If the member had been here for questions on the culture portfolio earlier, he would have heard my answer on the matter. I encourage him to read it in the Of...
Neil Bibby
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Angus Robertson
SNP
I have to make some progress, and I have so little time. I am sure that Mr Bibby wants me to answer the questions that he has asked. Due diligence and consi...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Alexander Stewart to speak to and move amendment S6M-10917.1. You have up to four minutes, Mr Stewart. 16:53
Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I am delighted to open on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. The motion rightly speaks about the importance of the arts and culture sector and the numero...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I am grateful to the Labour Party for bringing this important and timely debate to the chamber. The playwright George Bernard Shaw once said: “Without art,...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased that Scottish Labour has chosen the culture budget cuts as the topic of its Opposition debate. We need to clear up some of the confusion in the ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
You have very little time.
Angus Robertson
SNP
I have just a quick question. Does Pauline McNeill agree that such decisions need to go through the normal budgetary processes—yes or no?
Pauline McNeill
Lab
Why do you not give us a yes or no answer on whether that is real money and when we will see some detail? You could have answered my question. You could have...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Speak through the chair, please.
Pauline McNeill
Lab
—but you chose not to. I will finish on that point. 17:05
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
The Scottish Government is evidently committed to growing a more sustainable, diverse and impactful culture sector in Scotland. Given that the creative indus...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Several members have now commented that the figure of £100 million appears to have been plucked out of the air. As convener of the Finance and Public Adminis...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Speak through the chair.
Sarah Boyack
Lab
—that that money should be allocated and budgeted and the timescales revealed?
Kenneth Gibson
SNP
I think that that would be set out in the draft budget, as is normal. We are talking about a five-year investment, starting from the spring of 2024, which is...