Culture committee report on funding for culture

Ahead of the 2023-24 budget, the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee sought views on the impact of budgetary decisions, including the Resource Spending Review, on the culture sector in Scotland.

On 31 October, the committee published a report outlining the “perfect storm” of challenges facing the culture sector as it struggles to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by the cost of living crisis, and following on from longer term budget pressures.

Speaking as the report launched, the Committee Convener Clare Adamson MSP said:

“Scotland’s cultural sector plays a vital role in Scottish life. But we heard blunt warnings from those within the sector that stark choices lie ahead.

“Increased operating costs come at a time when most cultural venues are still struggling to recover from the pandemic, and without truly innovative approaches to funding, there is a real danger that Scotland’s skilled cultural workforce will be lost along with some of our best loved cultural icons.

“There are no doubt considerable pressures across all areas of the Scottish Government budget, and there are no easy choices. But the current situation provides an opportunity to accelerate these innovative solutions. The Scottish Government must take action to protect this fundamental part of our society.”

You can read Culture Counts’ response to the committee’s consultation here.