Scottish Labour calls for clarity on ‘unfulfilled’ Creative Scotland funding pledge

The Scottish Government must provide clarity on funding commitments for the national arts body, Scottish Labour has said.

Creative Scotland announced on Monday that it was closing its open fund for individuals at the end of August.

The body blamed the Scottish Government for the decision, saying ministers had not confirmed whether it would receive £6.6m previously promised.

Now, in a letter to culture secretary Angus Robertson, Scottish Labour’s culture spokesman Neil Bibby has said the government must “honour this promise without further delay”.

He added: “If the Scottish Government does not follow through on its commitments, it risks irreparably damaging its credibility with Creative Scotland and the broader cultural community.

“I urge you [Robertson] to provide immediate clarification on when Creative Scotland can expect to receive this funding. The sector’s continued wellbeing and stability depend on it.”

The £6.6m cut was first mooted in December 2022, before being reversed a few months later in early 2023. That cut was then reimposed in last autumn, leading Creative Scotland chief Ian Munro to warn the sector was reaching a “tipping point”.

The body had to use its reserves it ensure regularly funded organisations would keep receiving cash, a decision taken after the Scottish Government pledged to replenish those reserves as part of the 2024-25 budget.

During a meeting with Holyrood’s culture committee last October, Robertson said: “It is absolutely my pledge that Creative Scotland will see the £6.6m that it is now releasing from its reserves restored to it.”

But in its statement on Monday, Creative Scotland said that money had not been released. Munro said: “The level of uncertainty regarding the provision of grant-in-aid budgets from the Scottish Government is creating critical problems for the ongoing support we can provide to Scotland’s culture sector.

“This decision to close the open fund for individuals is not one we would have wanted to take but is unavoidable without the funding from the Scottish Government being available.”

Responding to the news, a Scottish Government spokesperson said funding for the arts was increasing in line with a commitment made in 2023 to invest at least £100m more annually by 2028-29.

They added: “The Scottish Budget continues to face significant challenges. We are considering the implications of the actions announced by the [UK] chancellor on 29 July for our public finances, and the next steps required by the Scottish Government.”

Bibby also raised concerns about an “erosion of trust” in government from the sector. He said: “The erosion of trust is not a minor issue – it undermines the very foundation of any productive relationship between the Scottish Government and those who rely on its support.

“Each unfulfilled promise casts doubt on future assurances, leaving the culture sector in a state of perpetual uncertainty.”