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 UK Parliament's press release and summary.
• Growing economy on creativity of Scots people by Pete Wishart in The Scotsman 18 January 2016.

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.