The Scottish Government’s recent budget announcement significantly impacts Scotland’s creative sector.
- The Culture Secretary has initiated a review of Creative Scotland following budget discussions.
- An increase of £34 million in culture expenditure is planned for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
- Creative Scotland’s Grant-in-Aid budget has risen to £80 million, marking a significant boost.
- Key funding includes additional support for the Multi-Year Funding programme and Screen Scotland’s strategy.
The Scottish Government’s draft budget announcement has sparked significant reactions within Scotland’s creative sector. The Finance Secretary, Shona Robison, revealed a substantial increase in cultural spending, set to rise by £34 million in the 2025-26 financial year. This news has been met with optimism among cultural institutions.
Following the introduction of the new budget, the Culture Secretary has directed a review of Creative Scotland, reinforcing the government’s commitment to assessing and supporting the national cultural landscape. This move indicates potential future developments in cultural policy and funding oversight.
The proposed increase in cultural expenditure translates into notable financial growth for Creative Scotland. The organisation will receive an uplift in its Grant-in-Aid budget to £80 million, up from the previous £51.4 million. This increase reflects a strategic investment in the cultural sector’s sustainability and growth.
In addition to the overall budget increase, targeted allocations have been made. Key among these is a £20 million enhancement for the Multi-Year Funding programme. This programme is crucial for offering sustained support to creative and cultural organisations throughout Scotland, fostering innovation and stability in the sector.
Furthermore, an extra £2 million has been designated to bolster Screen Scotland’s strategy. This funding aims to enhance Scotland’s presence in film and television, supporting both infrastructure and content creation in the industry. Such investments are intended to enrich Scotland’s cultural tapestry and economic vitality. “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,” expressed Creative Scotland’s Chair, Robert Wilson.
This budget marks a hopeful step towards strengthening Scotland’s creative industry.
