Tag: roundtable discussion

Public asked to inform independent Review of Creative Scotland

Eight roundtable discussions to be held across Scotland

Artists and communities across Scotland will be given an opportunity this summer to help inform the independent Review of Creative Scotland.

Eight roundtable discussions will be held across the length and breadth of Scotland this summer to ensure any recommendations are evidence-led and reflect a national perspective on Creative Scotland’s role. Led by Angela Leitch CBE, the independent Review team will also host a separate roundtable for children and young people.

The engagement plans come as the results of a national culture sector survey are published. Commissioned in January to inform a wider programme of support for the culture sector, the survey received responses from more than 750 artists, creative organisations and members of the public who raised concerns about the complexity of accessing culture funding and disparities across the country.

Confirming the remit of the independent Review, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said the five key areas to be examined had been informed by the Review team’s engagement to-date, alongside a wealth of historic evidence and the survey results:

  • Creative Scotland’s purpose and functions
  • Creative Scotland’s structure and performance
  • Governance and leadership within Creative Scotland
  • Creative Scotland’s finances and distribution of funds
  • Collaboration, relationships and partnerships

The independent Review is expected to publish recommendations in November.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “With the 2025-26 Scottish Budget providing a record £34 million uplift for culture, including an additional £20 million for Creative Scotland’s multi-year funding programme, this independent Review will examine Creative Scotland’s operations and structure to maximise the impact of this increase, and ensure the evolving needs of Scotland’s diverse cultural sector can be met.

“I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and perspective in our survey – your feedback, in addition to informing a wider programme of support for the culture sector, has also helped to shape the remit of the independent Review alongside the review team’s engagement to-date, and a wealth of historic evidence.

“The review team continue to collect evidence from culture and other organisations who interact with Creative Scotland, so I would strongly encourage anyone with an interest to take part in a roundtable near you this summer.”

Angela Leitch CBE, Chair of the independent Review of Creative Scotland said: “I have already been struck by the wealth of evidence demonstrating the contribution the creative and culture sectors make to us as individuals, to our communities and to our economy.

“I look forward to engaging further and hearing from a wide range of stakeholders across the country to consider how Creative Scotland can support the sector’s challenges and embrace opportunities.”

Independent Review of Creative Scotland: remit – gov.scot

Culture sector support needs survey – gov.scot

Individuals and organisations are invited to share their views with the Chair and Vice Chair of the independent Review of Creative Scotland at eight roundtable meetings to be held this summer in the following locations:

10 June – Selkirk

11 June – Glasgow

16 June – Dundee

23 June – Edinburgh

24 June – Aberdeen

25 June – Inverness

26 June – Orkney

2 July –  Dumfries

If you would like to participate in these discussions please contact: 

creativescotlandreview@gov.scot

In addition to engaging with Scotland’s creative industries, the independent Review team will also speak with organisations outside the culture sector who are directly impacted by Creative Scotland, including higher and further education institutions, local authorities and the enterprise agencies.

The independent Review of Creative Scotland was first announced in the 2024-25 Programme for Government, as the first review of Creative Scotland since its establishment in 2010.

The Scottish Budget 2025-26 provides an increase of £34 million to culture in Scotland, including £20 million for Creative Scotland’s multi-year funding programme.

Following Dame Sue Bruce’s withdrawal on health grounds, and the appointment of Angela Leitch CBE as the new Chair, the independent Review is now expected to publish recommendations in November 2025.

IAM Roundtable: Racism and religious prejudice “hugely problematic”

Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM), observed every November, aims to raise awareness  about Islamophobia—fear, prejudice, and discrimination against Muslims—and promote  understanding, tolerance, and respect for Muslim communities.

IAM challenges prejudice,  fosters social cohesion, and helps ensure Muslims can live free from fear and fully participate in  society. 

Scottish Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury closed IAM with the Muslim Council of Scotland by  hosting a roundtable at Scottish Parliament this week.

This event reflected this year’s IAM  theme, ‘Seeds of Change,’ emphasising the importance of small actions to contribute to larger  changes and to celebrate the positive contribution of Muslims across the UK. 

This meeting aimed to raise awareness of Islamophobia and promote understanding and  respect across diverse communities. The roundtable comprised keynote speakers, including the  leader of the Scottish Labour Party and first host of the Cross-Party Group on Islamophobia,  Anas Sarwar, Dr. Abu Jaffar Moshan, along with voices from the community. 

During the roundtable, MSP Choudhury recognised the significant role Scottish Muslims have  played in shaping our society, making contributions to education, healthcare, business, the arts,  and more.

Mr. Choudhury highlighted the need to involve other Muslim communities in the  discussion, like Middle Eastern communities, and to engage with these new Scot communities  to work towards tackling root causes of prejudice.

Mr. Choudhury emphasised how current  world conflicts are impacting both Muslim and Jewish communities in Scotland and the UK. 

The roundtable celebrated community support by awarding a shield of appreciation to Assistant  Chief Constable, Shaheen Barber for his work with Police Scotland.

Linsay Taylor was also  awarded a shield appreciation recognising her work with Muslim Engagement and  Development (MEND) and Interfaith.

Linsay’s work was hugely impactful to Mr. Choudhury and  his work on tackling Islamophobia, as she spoke on the experiences of Muslim women and her  experience living in Scotland while wearing a hijab. 

The event also held representatives from Police Scotland, who spoke to their anti-racism  training work, and MSPs Monica Lennon and Mercedes Villalba. 

During the roundtable, MSP Choudhury emphasised: “One priority I want to highlight this evening is the increasing need to educate against  Islamophobia.”

UNTENABLE: Boyack calls for action on student homelessness in Capital

Rising concerns of Student Homelessness in Edinburgh were discussed at a Parliamentary Roundtable hosted by Sarah Boyack, Scottish Labour MSP for Lothian Region yesterday. 

Boyack welcomed MSPs, University and College Management Teams, and the City of Edinburgh Council to discuss what practical steps can be taken to end student homelessness. 

This followed a number of private meetings Sarah Boyack had held with Student Groups and Universities that highlighted rising homelessness in Edinburgh, with NUS Scotland reporting that 10% of students had experienced homelessness at some point. 

Boyack hopes that by bringing together Universities, Student Groups and MSPs, a long-term strategy to tackle student homelessness can be developed and implemented by a range of stakeholders.   

Commenting following the roundtable, Sarah Boyack said: “With over 100,000 students across our five higher and further education institutions, the scramble to find somewhere to live has become untenable. 

“Last summer we saw the very real consequences of this, with students forced into expensive temporary accommodation, sofa surfing or having to commute at great expense just to make their classes. 

“We even saw common rooms being turned into emergency dormitory rooms, housing eight or nine people because students had no other options.  

“At the meeting we heard that rents in Private Built Student Accommodation are now between £300 and £450 a week. With the cost of living crisis and rising financial pressures, it’s becoming harder for Scottish students from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend University or College. 

“There has been a systematic failing, with the model of expensive Purpose Built Student Accommodation being chosen at the expense of affordable accommodation. 

“Our meeting was constructive and we agreed to work together to find practical solutions that bring an end to Student Homelessness and rocketing rents for good.” 

The NUS report on homelessness can be accessed here: 

Cost of Survival: Report – NUS Scotland (nus-scotland.org.uk)