Culture Counts' Evidence - Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee

On Thursday 19 September 2024, outgoing Culture Counts Director, Lori Anderson, gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee. Alongside Lyndsey Jackson (Deputy Chief Executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society), Liam Sinclair (Executive Director, Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre), and Caroline Sewell (Regional Organiser, Musicians' Union), Culture Counts gave evidence as part of the Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025-26. Culture Counts highlighted the following matters:

  • the urgent need for the Scottish Government to take actions to restore confidence to the culture sector, including in light of the temporary closure of Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for Individuals, and the forthcoming decisions on Multi-Year Funding.

  • the need for long-term, proactive investment in the culture sector, moving away from short-term ‘bailouts’ and ‘emergency funding’.

  • the welcome nature of the review of Creative Scotland’s remit, but with an emphasis that any review must not derail or distract from business as usual, including a resolution on the multiyear funding programme.

  • the commitment last year of an additional £100 million investment in the culture sector over five years, noting that not all of the £15.8m committed this year toward that investment can be considered ‘new money’. £6.6m of that money represents the reinstatement of cuts last year, and funding for Creative Scotland’s Place Partnerships and Culture Collective has been cut. There is a need for clarity over the timing and allocation of £25m funding promised for next year.

  • a call for a settlement for culture of 1% (of total Scottish Government spending), in light of the relatively tiny level of funding currently allocated to culture. The level of investment in culture in other countries in Europe is 1-1.5% of Government budgets; Scotland is currently investing 0.56%. There is a need for more innovative and ambitious political leadership to find solutions to invest in culture, particularly in light of challenges around private and corporate investment.


The session is available to watch via the video link below, and the full report of the session is available here.

Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, 19. September 2024


Lori Anderson