Scottish budget announcement, 2025-26

On 4th December, Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robison announced the 2025-26 Scottish Budget in the Scottish Parliament. We were delighted that her announcement included an increase of £34m for culture and a further £20m (budget permitting) the following year, as well as non-domestic rates support for music venues and the return of the Culture Collective and Creative Communities programmes. £20m of next year’s additional funding will be allocated specifically to increase the funding available for Creative Scotland’s multi-year funding.

Shona Robison announced the news in Parliament:

This uplift represents the first step in a change in trajectory for Scotland's cultural sector. We hope this decision brings renewed optimism to the sector fighting tirelessly to state the case for the importance of investment in culture, most recently via the #InvestInCulture campaign, which has been energetically championed by Scotland’s arts organisations, as well as by writers, musicians and performers. After years of campaigning and making the case, we're heartened to see concrete action from Scottish Government in line with their stated ambition for culture, and look forward to working with Scottish Government on the longer term future of the cultural sector, increasing capacity and resilience for years to come. Ultimately, this decision to invest in culture is an investment in all of us – in our people, our places, and our communities

Creative Scotland’s statement “wholeheartedly welcomes the positive news of the substantial uplift for Culture, including Creative Scotland”, and their Chair, Robert Wilson, said: 

“Today’s draft budget announcement by the Scottish Government is enormously welcome. The major boost to Multi-Year Funding and other activities opens up wider opportunities, and we are grateful to the Scottish Government for this significant vote of confidence in Creative Scotland and the creative and culture sector. 

“This is especially positive in the light of the long-term financial challenges the sector has been dealing with and will enable people and organisations to once again look forward with more confidence.” 

Culture Counts Director, Kathryn Welch, reacted to the news on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row programme:

Culture Counts will be speaking regularly to Scottish Government as progress on realising and rolling out this investment gets underway. We’re especially keen to progress aspirations for a longer term, sustainable vision for investment in the culture sector, and in our cultural lives, places and communities.