Labour challenge to Creative Scotland cuts rejected

A bid by Scottish Labour to reverse the government’s decision to cut art funding by £6.6m has been rejected by MSPs.

The Labour motion calling for a reduction to Creative Scotland's budget to be reinstated with “immediate effect” failed after Culture Secretary Angus Robertson brought an amendment to the motion that passed with 65 votes for Yes and 52 for No.

Labour MSP Neil Bibby tabled a motion at Holyrood yesterday (25 October) that “condemns the Scottish government’s decision to break its promise to the sector not to cut Creative Scotland’s budget by 10%” and "calls, therefore, on the Scottish government to reverse the 10% budget cut to Creative Scotland with immediate effect".

Robertson's amendment removed the original motion's condemnation of the Scottish government and calls to reinstate arts funding this year, stating instead that "in common with other sectors, arts and culture organisations are experiencing significant pressure due to increases in the cost of living as a consequence of Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the actions of the UK government".

It also welcomed Creative Scotland's use of its financial reserves to "ensure that funding for regularly funded organisations has been maintained in 2023/24" and "supports the Scottish government’s plan to double arts and culture funding by £100m over the next five years" adding that "the UK Government should match this stated ambition and at least double its investment in arts and culture over the same period".