Minister makes ‘gold-plated’ pledge to restore arts funding

Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has made a "gold-plated" commitment to restore Creative Scotland’s budget next year, following a reduction to its funding for 2023/24.

Robertson’s pledge comes after the Scottish government decided last month to go ahead with a proposed £6.6m budget cut to the arts funder, despite previously abandoning the plan in February.

In assurances made to MSPs at the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs, and Culture Committee, Robertson said: “It is absolutely my pledge that they [Creative Scotland] will see their £6.6m… restored to them, I understand why that’s important… and that is something that will go ahead next year."

READ MORE:

• Second report questions Scottish arts funding
• Scottish government criticised over 'betrayal of culture sector'

Asked by Labour MSP Neil Bibby if his promise on future funding was a “gold-plated commitment”, Robertson told the committee: “It is. I’ve had to make very tough choices to balance my budget this year in light of all these challenges.

“It is with regret that this includes not being able to top up Creative Scotland’s lottery funding shortfall for this year."

Robertson explained the cut was reinstated after public sector pay deals resulted in “massive additional and unforeseen pressures” on Scottish government finances but accepted that the arts sector was “frustrated” by the decision.

Creative Scotland will use some of its financial reserves to cover the shortfall in funding for this year. Robertson said there would be “no impact” on organisations supported by Creative Scotland as a result.

Hugely detrimental

Jack Gamble, Director of the Campaign for the Arts, said that while he welcomed the Scottish Culture Secretary’s commitment, the cuts would still be “hugely detrimental”.

He said: “Creative Scotland’s reserves were meant to throw a lifeline to those unsuccessful in their next funding round. This broken promise from the Scottish government means 40% of those reserves are now gone – and that will have consequences.

“The £6.6m that Creative Scotland has been forced to spend this year will not be reimbursed by the "gold-plated" commitment for next year. Ultimately, artists, organisations, the economy and the people of Scotland will all be worse off from this decision.”