Culture - Spending Review

20th September 2011

Culture - Spending Review

The Culture and External Affairs budget is investing in people, places and opportunities to increase sustainable economic growth, Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop said today.

Among the initiatives to be delivered through the portfolio is a new Young Scots Fund that will provide opportunities over the next four years for emerging young talent - in creativity, sport and enterprise.

Capital spend will help deliver the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre and the V&A at Dundee, a project which is key to the regeneration of the Dundee waterfront. Funding is also confirmed for re-development of the Glasgow Theatre Royal and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Ms Hyslop said:"In the face of deep cuts in public spending imposed by the UK Government, I have prioritised my budget to minimise the impact on Scotland's cultural and heritage sector as far as possible, and to deliver key cultural capital projects.

"I can now confirm that the Scottish Government will see through its commitment to provide substantial financial support for the construction costs of the V&A in Dundee, which will make a huge cultural contribution to Scotland and help regenerate Dundee.

"It is vital to maintain access to our world-class cultural performances and exhibitions, and I am therefore protecting the operating budgets for the National Performing Companies and our national museums and galleries.

"By investing in young people through maintaining funding for the Youth Music Initiative, we can foster and develop their musical skills and cultural experiences. I will also continue the successful Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund which showcases Scottish talent on the world stage.

"Over the period of the Spending Review, the Culture Budget will continue to support Scotland's economic potential, through the growth of the creative industries and in opportunities for cultural tourism across Scotland.

"We will continue to look for savings in sharing resources and assets, as well as for ways of maximising income from other sources wherever possible. I am challenging all of the organisations we fund to develop creative, innovative and collaborative solutions to financial pressures, to expand their income generation and ensure where possible that they are less reliant on direct funding.

"This Government remains committed to its global responsibilities. Having doubled the international development budget to £9 million since 2007, we will maintain that in 2012-13 and for the two subsequent Spending Review years. This will ensure Scotland continues to help some of the world's most vulnerable people living in desperate and absolute poverty."

The main points from the Culture and External Affairs Budget are:

Maintaining revenue funding in 2012-13 for the National Galleries and Museums and the five directly-funded National Performing Companies at 2011-12 levels to ensure access to high quality performances, exhibitions and services. The National Performing Companies' £350,000 International Touring Fund - which enables them to showcase the high quality of Scotland's contemporary culture internationally - will also continue.
Capital funding allocation of £4.6 million in 2012-13 to continue three projects: the V+A at Dundee and the redevelopment of two cultural venues in Glasgow in preparation for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Funding for Historic Scotland capital projects such as the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre Project. Historic Scotland is continuing to grow its income from a variety of sources, by exploiting new areas of income generation and is pursuing efficiencies through shared service or partnership projects with VisitScotland, RCAHMS, The National Trust for Scotland, National Records of Scotland and other sector partners.

Creative Scotland - the national body supporting and promoting Scotland's culture, arts and creative industries - will receive a two per cent core budget reduction in 2012-13. This is a smaller than portfolio average reduction and reflects the significant efficiencies already made through moving to a single arts and culture body. With its streamlined investment programmes, organisational structure and integrated business systems, Creative Scotland is maximising support for artists and creative practitioners and playing a lead role in supporting growth within the creative industries.

£10 million for the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) in 2012-13, via ring-fenced funding allocated to Creative Scotland. Since its inception in 2003, YMI has provided numerous opportunities for children and young people across Scotland to get involved in music.

Support for Arts + Business Scotland and the Cultural Enterprise Office (via ring-fenced funding allocated to Creative Scotland) is also being protected, recognising their continuing importance in encouraging private investment in the arts and creative industries, and supporting and nurturing fledging creative enterprises.

An investment of £2 million in the successful Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund in 2012-13. The Scottish Government has invested £8 million in the Expo Fund over the past four years, enabling Scottish-based companies and artists to reach global audiences and contributing to the success of the Edinburgh Festivals, which generated £261 million for the Scottish economy in 2010.

National Records of Scotland will return to 'normal activity' following the 2011 Census, decreasing its need for direct funding.

In 2007, the Scottish Government doubled the International Development budget to £9 million. It remains committed to playing its part in the global fight against poverty and is therefore maintaining this level of funding for each of the three years of the Spending Review period.

The Culture and External Affairs portfolio will be able to spend £232.4 million in 2012-13 - that is £13.2 million, or 5.4 per cent less than last year. In addition, the new Young Scots Fund will provide £5.4 million in 2012-13 for investment across portfolios in emerging young talent in creativity, enterprise and sport.