Meeting of the Parliament 14 January 2025
Sandesh Gulhane’s point is timeous, given the concerns that have been raised around the commissioning of public service broadcasting in Scotland. If he has an interest in that area, I would be interested to hear not just his views but those of his constituents who have raised their concerns. I share some of those concerns about public service commissioning in relation to productions in Scotland. No doubt we will hear more about that in the weeks and months ahead.
I turn to the budget issue, which everybody agrees is key. I am sure that everybody is aware of the Scottish Government’s proposals for a draft budget, which, if the Scottish Parliament passes it in February, will be transformational for the culture sector. A significant uplift has been achieved despite the fiscal challenges that all portfolios face, which reflects the value that the Government places on culture in Scotland. With a £34 million boost in 2025-26, the budget brings the Scottish Government halfway to reaching its five-year commitment to provide at least £100 million more annually for the sector by 2028-29. I can also confirm that, for 2026-27, subject to the normal budget processes, our aim is to deliver a further £20 million increase for the sector.