Scottish Labour pledge to end cuts to arts and culture scene

Labour will pledge to protect Scotland's arts and culture budget after swingeing cuts to flagship institutions in recent years.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale. Picture: John Devlin

The party’s manifesto being published tomorrow will pledge to protect spending on culture and the arts in real terms.

The National Theatre for Scotland recently warned it may have to cut productins and its touring after a 3% cut to its budget. The Royal Lyceum, Traverse theatres and Scottish Youth Theatre have also been involved in funding rows, although the latter was reprieved.

Labour’s Claire Baker said: “Under the SNP, funding for the arts is vulnerable and continuing cuts will diminish Scotland’s cultural contribution and undermine the creative core of our nation. Labour will protect spending, invest in our creative sectors and support access to the arts, securing a positive future for Scotland’s cultural life.”

The manifesto will pledge to “harness that creativity” and the arts’ £5 billion economic contribution.