Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 March 2026 [Draft]
11 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
National Performing Companies
We are so fortunate to have the national performing companies, but, as we have just heard, the standstill budget that the Scottish Government has handed down means that they are potentially having to cut back on some of their activities. In 2021, in the programme for government, the Scottish Government—indeed, the cabinet secretary himself—committed to three-year funding for the national performing companies. Five years later, that has still not been delivered. Why has that promise been broken, and what is the cabinet secretary going to do to make sure that it is now delivered?
In the same item of business
2. Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting Scotland’s national performing companies. (S6O-05612)
The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (Angus Robertson)
SNP
The Scottish Government will provide £24.6 million in funding in the 2026-27 financial year to support our five world-class national performing companies, wh...
Emma Roddick
SNP
I was copied in to a letter from Eden Court to the cabinet secretary, which I am aware that he has responded to. I enjoy the benefits of Scottish Ballet, Sco...
Angus Robertson
SNP
I agree with Emma Roddick that one of the advantages of having national performing companies is that they perform throughout the nation, including in Eden Co...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
We are so fortunate to have the national performing companies, but, as we have just heard, the standstill budget that the Scottish Government has handed down...
Angus Robertson
SNP
We are now 70 per cent through the record additional uplift in annual spending in culture, which I hope that Murdo Fraser—having voted against the budget, of...