Scottish Government’s proposed spending plans for 2013-14 almost doubles that set out in the 2011 Spending Review, including an extra £1m for Historic Scotland.
The Scottish Government writes:
Commenting on the Scottish Government’s proposed spending plans for 2013-14, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said: ‘In line with the Scottish Government’s commitment to support economic recovery and create more jobs, capital investment for the Culture and External Affairs portfolio is increasing to £17 million next financial year. This is almost doubling what we set out in the 2011 Spending Review. This includes an additional £1 million for Historic Scotland, as well as confirming funding already committed to the V&A at Dundee, the re-development of the Glasgow Theatre Royal and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre and shovel-ready projects across my portfolio.
‘We are also continuing to invest in skills through the Young Scots Fund, providing £12.5 million in 2013-14 for investment across portfolios in emerging young talent in creativity, enterprise and sport. Our thriving and vibrant cultural sector continues to support economic growth through the creative industries and opportunities for cultural tourism while access to high-quality cultural events and opportunities enhances quality of life for communities. That is why – despite deep cuts to public spending imposed by the UK Government – I have prioritised my portfolio budget to minimise the impact on the sector as far as possible, as set out in the 2011 Spending Review.’
‘This Government is continuing to support artists, cultural opportunities and cultural excellence through investment in Creative Scotland, the National Performing Companies and the National Collections and I have protected their operating budgets as far as possible. Despite a stringent financial climate, I am maintaining our International Development budget at its highest-ever level – £9 million per year – helping to make a real and significant difference to some of the world’s poorest people.’
‘As a consequence of the reduction in my budget, the Scottish Government will be unable to respond to additional requests for funding received throughout the year. I am again challenging the bodies we fund to develop creative, innovative and collaborative solutions to the funding pressures we all face. This includes ways of expanding income generation with a view to decreasing reliance on direct Government funding.’
The main points from the Culture and External Affairs Draft Budget 2013-14 are:
· The Culture and External Affairs portfolio will be able to spend £240.8m in 2013-14 – a slight increase (1.26 per cent) on the 2012-13 baseline, but still 1.95 per cent less than in 2011-12.
· Capital spending is being increased to £17 million in 2013-14 from the £8.7 million set out in the 2011 Spending Review.
· Creative Scotland – the national body supporting and promoting Scotland’s culture, arts and creative industries – will receive a core budget of £34.1 million in 2013-14. Significant efficiencies have already been made through moving to a single arts and culture body and this two per cent reduction is a smaller than portfolio average reduction over the Spending Review period. An additional £1 million capital for shovel-ready projects means that Creative Scotland’s net budget will, in fact, increase in 2013-14 relative to the Spending Review 2011 allocation. Due to rising levels of income from the National Lottery, Creative Scotland will actually have more money to invest in arts projects in 2013-14.
· Funding for Historic Scotland in 2013-14 of £43.6 million including additional capital of £3.3 million. 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. It is also working closely with VisitScotland, The National Trust for Scotland, National Records of Scotland and other sector partners.
· National Records of Scotland (NRS) will receive £20.8 million in 2013-14, reflecting a return to ‘normal’ spend following the 2011 Census and efficiencies that continue to be made through the merger between NAS and GROS – including a single ITC system.
For the draft budget document see: LINK
Scottish Government News: LINK
