Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 03 September 2025
03 Sep 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Edinburgh’s Festivals (Economic Impact)
Deputy First Minister Responsibilities, Economy and Gaelic
Such is the success of Edinburgh’s festivals that, at one point last month, Edinburgh was the most expensive destination in the world for people to visit. There are concerns in the industry about the perception of Scotland as a high-cost destination. Does the Deputy First Minister agree with the evidence that we heard at the Economy and Fair Work Committee this morning that councils such as the City of Edinburgh Council need to take that into account when setting the visitor levy, which is coming down the track?
In the same item of business
1. Foysol Choudhury (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the economy secretary has had with business leaders regarding work to maximise the economic impact of Edinbur...
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes)
SNP
We are always working with Edinburgh’s festivals to maximise economic opportunities and to complement the year-round efforts of each of these flagship cultur...
Foysol Choudhury
Lab
We know how important our cultural and creative sectors are to the economy and how they can drive growth. In her meeting with businesses following Edinburgh’...
Kate Forbes
SNP
The short answer is yes—I commit to on-going engagement. Foysol Choudhury identified a number of different funding sources. The Scottish Government has provi...
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
Scotland’s festivals are a vital part of our cultural landscape, a boost to tourism and an important part of our regional economies. Will the Deputy First Mi...
Kate Forbes
SNP
As a result of the biggest increase in culture funding in the history of the Parliament, Scotland’s festivals have benefited from significant increases in co...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Such is the success of Edinburgh’s festivals that, at one point last month, Edinburgh was the most expensive destination in the world for people to visit. Th...
Kate Forbes
SNP
Murdo Fraser is right to highlight the overall costs of the festivals. Accommodation costs are one of the biggest challenges across the fringe ecosystem beca...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Question 2 has been withdrawn.