SNP under fire over arts merger 'chaos'
Linda Fabiani, the culture minister, came under pressure amid claims that set-up costs for Creative Scotland were spiralling, and that MSPs' concerns were being ignored.
The SNP's flagship Creative Scotland Bill – intended to merge the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen – was defeated in June after some MSPs said they were being misled over financial implications.
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Hide AdThe government now intends to set up the cultural body via the forthcoming Public Services Reform Bill.
Iain Smith, a Liberal Democrat MSP, said: "The uncertainty and confusion over the future of Creative Scotland is entirely the result of the incompetence of this government."
The exchange was sparked by a question raised in parliament by the Labour MSP Rhona Brankin asking if reports of a 7 million increase in set-up costs were true.
Ms Fabiani said: "We are right now working on the transition costs and these will, of course, be presented to parliament at the appropriate time."