Culture in Parliament - November 2022
Culture Counts monitors the Scottish and UK Parliament for discussions and questions about the Culture Sector. We’ve listed recent committee business and chamber questions in each house below.
The link attached to each item will take you to the Official Report, where you can read the Government response and further discussion around each item.
Scottish Parliament:
Topical Question Time, 25 October 2022
Question by Sarah Boyack, Lothian
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address the reported “perfect storm” that the arts and culture sector is facing, in light of reports that organisations such as the Falkirk Town Hall, the Filmhouse in Edinburgh, the Belmont in Aberdeen and the Edinburgh International Film Festival recently entered into administration and the Modern Two art gallery in Edinburgh was forced to close for winter. (S6T-00915)
Portfolio Question Time, Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, 26 October 2022
Museum and Gallery Sector (Cost of Living)
Question by Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife
To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to support the museum and gallery sector during the cost of living crisis. (S6O-01448)
Cost of Living debate, motion S6M-06438, 26 October 2022
Contribution by Sarah Boyack, Lothian
(Excerpt): “Many organisations in our arts and culture sector are now on the brink of collapse, so the Scottish Government must explore creative solutions and utilise our cultural spaces to provide multiple benefits for our communities. I have spoken to many arts and culture organisations, and the general consensus is that there is a gap between what is said about the value of culture and the action required to support the sector now. As a result of Covid, people became isolated and were unable to access culture. As we build Covid recovery this winter, there are still people who are nervous about going to venues and people who cannot afford to access them. Those who work in the culture sector need support now”.
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee inquiry into alternative pathways to primary care debate, motion S6M-06702 , 10 November 2022
Contribution by Sarah Boyack, Lothian
(Excerpt): “In my contribution, I want to make the links between the ambition of identifying alternative pathways to care and delivering to communities across Scotland. I also want to take the opportunity to talk about the evidence that we have had in the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee and the work that I have been doing with the culture sector, in which social prescribing has come up in discussions time and again as something that is considered to be crucial for supporting people’s health and wellbeing”.
Portfolio Question Time, Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, 16 November 2022
Independent Theatres (Support)
Question by Alex Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife)
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to independent theatres in Scotland. (S6O-01540)
Question by Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland)
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the removal of funding for Scotland’s winter festivals fund. (S6O-01543)
Historic Environment Scotland (Site Closures)
Question by Jamie Greene (West Scotland)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on Historic Environment Scotland site closures. (S6O-01547)