Warning on festival cuts

THE city's festivals should be ringfenced from public sector cuts, a senior councillor has said.

Steve Cardownie, deputy leader of Edinburgh City Council, has warned the Capital's economy and reputation could be damaged if major events undergo "disproportionate" level of cuts over the next few years.

He added that there was a strong argument against taking a "salami slice" approach to the funding of events like the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe because of their cultural importance and the 200 million the Capital reaps from its festivals every year.