Government Support
Scottish Government, creative industries and arts
organisations
Export
On 1 May 2019, the Scottish Government announced an
ambitious growth plan that aims to increase the value of exports
from 20% to 25% of Scotland's GDP over the next 10
years. The plan focuses on providing tailored support
for companies to further grow their existing exports and enter new
markets which will help to focus efforts on activity that will
create the greatest impact on the economy. Wider support will also
continue to be provided to businesses beginning their exporting
journey. It is backed by £20 million of additional investment over
three years. The full plan is available on the Scottish Government website.
Culture, Europe and External Affairs Directorate
This is the directorate responsible for investing in Scottish
arts, culture and historic environment to enhance Scottish
communities and economic prosperity. It also pursues Scottish
interests in Europe and internationally. The relevant Government
personnel are Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary
for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, and Dr Alasdair
Allan MSP, Minister for International Development and
Europe. The directorate is managed by Ken Thomson,
Director-General Strategy and Operations, and Karen
Watt, Director, Culture Europe and External Affairs. See
the Scottish Government website and the Directorate's blog.
Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts,
screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on
behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. It aims to
enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts,
screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to
develop great ideas and bring them to life. It distributes funding
from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. See the Creative
Scotland website.
Scotland's Creative Industries Partnership (SCIP)
SCIP was established in 2009 by the Scottish Government and is
chaired by Creative Scotland. The membership of SCIP comprises
national public agencies that work together to support the
development of the creative industries in Scotland. SCIP meets
quarterly to: share intelligence, research and knowledge on the
creative industries; provide advice on and co-ordinate a strategic
response to needs and opportunities; and clarify and signpost
agency support. See the Creative Scotland website for minutes of its
meetings and other relevant information about SCIP.
UK Government
Some policy areas reserved at UK level particularly affect the
creative industries in Scotland including intellectual property,
VAT, tax reliefs, employment and trade negotiations. The UK's exit
from the European Union will, of course, also be dealt with by at a
UK level and Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged a UK-wide
approach. The recent inquiry by the House of Commons Scottish
Affairs Committee took place before the EU Referendum.
Industrial Strategy: building a Britain fit for the future
This white paper sets out a long-term plan to boost the
productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK. It was
published on 27 November 2017 and can be downloaded from the UK Government website).
The House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry into
the creative industries in Scotland
This inquiry into the creative industries in Scotland was
launched to focus on some of the reserved policy areas highlighted
by the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee
and to look at how the interests of the creative industries in
Scotland are represented at a UK-level.
The Publishers Association and Publishing
Scotland submitted written evidence.
The inquiry's report was published on 18 January 2016: The House
of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee Creative industries in
Scotland Second Report of Session 2015-16.
See also
The Government Response to the Committee's Second
Report of Session 2015-16: First Special Report of Session 2016-17
was published on 17 June 2016. The Government welcomed the Report
and its recognition of the success of the Scottish creative
industries saying the UK Government and its agencies are committed
to working with the Scottish Government to help the sector continue
to grow in Scotland.
See also the Committee Chair's comments of 21 June 2016 on the Government's response.
Official Statistics
Official Statistics measuring the number of jobs in the Creative
Industries (broken down by a number of characteristics) alongside
the value of exports from the UK Creative Industries. Revised 4
July 2016. See the UK Government website.