Creative Scotland takes action over Government interference

Creative Scotland has re-asserted its arm’s length status following a clash with Scotland’s former First Minister. A disagreement arose between Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government – revealed through a series of internal emails uncovered under Freedom of Information – over Alex Salmond’s plan to grant £1m to Scottish Youth Theatre following the funding body’s decision not to grant it regular funding. An email from Deputy Chief Executive Iain Munro warned that the grant “undermines the entire Regular Funding process and Creative Scotland’s status as an arms length NDPB”. It was later agreed the package would be shared amongst the national youth performing companies, and government officials have now lost their automatic entitlement to attend Creative Scotland board meetings.