Initial statement on the Scottish Government's 23-24 budget

Culture Sector dismayed by budget cuts

Culture Counts are dismayed by decisions contained within the Scottish Government’s 23-24 budget.

The budget holds only concerning news for the Scottish Culture Sector. Funding decisions made by the Government will devastate an already extremely vulnerable sector currently experiencing the perfect storm of adverse conditions caused by the pandemic and ongoing cost crisis.

It appears that all but one area of the Government’s Culture and Major Events portfolio has been cut. Of greatest concern, Creative Scotland has received a 10% reduction on 22-23 levels, Scotland’s Cultural Collections face a £2.1 million cash cut and our National Performing Companies face standstill budgets for a sixth year running. Of course, in real terms the impact of these cuts is much higher, given record inflation, rising costs and a decade of erosion caused by stagnant budgets.

The budget statement contained commendable focus on protecting businesses and individuals most vulnerable to the worst effects of the current economic climate. Culture Counts are particularly concerned that this protection will not extend to organisations and freelancers working at a grassroots level, who operate with lower margins and lower wages whilst carrying out the sector’s vital work with communities.

This budget will severely compound the challenges faced by the whole sector. Creative Scotland’s statement immediately following the budget reports a significant impact on its ability to maintain even standstill funding levels for its portfolio of 120 Regularly Funded Organisations. For many, standstill funding may not be enough. The country could face the wave of insolvencies predicted by Creative Scotland’s Chief Executive.

This cut is beyond disheartening and all the more surprising given the 2021 SNP manifesto commitment to a Percentage for the Arts scheme promising £150million per year in community culture funding and ongoing, close engagement between Government and the Culture Sector. Both suggest the growing understanding of a shared vision for the transformative potential of culture across policy areas, and a shared understanding of the challenges we face. It is now abundantly clear that this vision is not backed by action.

Culture Counts will continue to engage with our members, the wider sector, Government and policy makers to promote the public benefit of the arts, heritage and creative industries and protect their eco-system for our common future.

Further reading:

Scottish Government Culture Budget

Creative Scotland Initial Statement

Scottish Parliament Information Centre Initial Budget Analysis