Response to our letter to First Minister and Cabinet Secretary
On 22 May 2024 we wrote letters to the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary to congratulate them on the appointment/continuation of their roles and raise a number of current issues including querying the decision to remove the role of Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development.
We have now received a response which can be read below.
26 June 2024
Dear Lori,
Thank you for your letters of 20 and 22 May congratulating both the First Minister and I on our respective appointments and setting out some of your concerns around the challenges faced by the culture sector at this time. As Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, I am responding on behalf of us both.
I want to take this opportunity to reassure you that, as a Cabinet-level portfolio post and as one of our key National Performance Outcomes for national wellbeing, culture firmly remains a consideration at the top table of Government. As you may know, the culture portfolio has only relatively recently enjoyed the support of a junior minister and the subsequent removal of this post in no way signals a change in how culture is valued by the Scottish Government.
In terms of my recusal from decision-making processes in areas of my portfolio that may conflict with my constituency interests, this is entirely in accordance with the Ministerial Code of Conduct and is standard practice for Ministers to ensure that they remain beyond reproach in their decision-making. In such cases, another member of the Ministerial team is identified to take decisions instead. As you know, in the case of the Edinburgh Festivals, it has already been agreed that anything requiring Ministerial decision will be passed to by Deputy First Minister, Ms Forbes. Please be assured that any decision-making will continue to follow the same protocols in place that support the collective decision making of Scottish Ministers across the board including comprehensive policy advice and briefings from officials.
You asked for confirmation of the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase funding for culture by £100m over the next five years as was previously announced in October 2023. You will have noted that the First Minister’s recent statement to Parliament outlining his priorities recognised culture’s contribution to strengthening the economy and re-confirmed that financial commitment despite the challenging budget situation, again signalling the Scottish Government’s confidence in the Scottish culture sector.
Thank you for taking part in the Connections and Partnerships: The Value of Culture in Communities event on Monday 20th May. I understand the points you raise about identifying and engaging with those audiences who can make a difference to the culture sector particularly in light of ongoing funding challenges.
I recognise that Culture Counts and its membership make a significant contribution to the policy landscape and I would like to thank you for the invaluable work that you continue to do in support of the sector.
Yours sincerely
ANGUS ROBERSTON