Scottish Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury has raised alarm bells about the latest funding arrangements for Scotland’s culture sector.
There are no year-on-year, real-terms cuts to the culture budget in this year’s budget, with the overall culture budget increasing from £180.8m to £196.6m. However, total culture funding is still less than what it was in 2022-23 – equivalent to a £13.2m cut in real terms.
Foysol Choudhury, Scottish Labour’s Culture Spokesperson, said: “Scotland’s vibrant cultural sector has huge potential and a pivotal role to play in the future of the Scottish economy.
“Sadly, the SNP are sleeping at the wheel and have given up on trying to build a positive future for Scotland’s arts and culture sector.
“Whilst the increased support in this year’s budget is welcome, it comes after years of neglect and total culture funding is still facing a cut in real terms from 2022-23’s funding.
“The arts and culture sector has been crying out for increased funding for so long, yet the offer now presented it simply insufficient.
“The SNP has been treating culture as disposable when they need it to be-I will be working hard for my constituents to hold the SNP to their promises to double culture funding within 5 years.”
The Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee had previously raised concerns that the culture sector in Scotland is suffering from a “perfect storm” of crises. A storm, Mr Choudhury says, which hasn’t yet been weathered: “The new funding arrangements for culture do not go far enough for our struggling cultural sector.
“Trust from the sector has worn thin and these inadequate funding arrangements, which will likely still lead to struggles in the sector, may be the final straw.
“The SNP Government must urgently recognise the value and contribution of Scotland’s culture sector and help to save it before it is too late, instead of wasting tax-payer’s money on an Independence Minister.”