Creative Industries (Assistance)

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 27 June 2013.

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Photo of Stuart McMillan Stuart McMillan Scottish National Party

1. To ask the Scottish Government what recent assistance it has provided to creative industries across the country. (S4O-02312)

Photo of Fiona Hyslop Fiona Hyslop Scottish National Party

The Scottish Government, through its public agencies, provides a range of support for the creative industries. Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council, together with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, belong to the Scottish creative industries partnership.

Local authorities have a crucial role to play, and I was glad to discuss assistance for creative industries with them only yesterday at a meeting with the COSLA sports, art and culture working group.

The delivery group that I recently established across public sector agencies is working with potential investors on developing proposals for film and television production facilities. Last month, Rockstar North, the internationally recognised video game development studio, was awarded a research and development grant of just over £1 million.

Photo of Stuart McMillan Stuart McMillan Scottish National Party

With the success of “Waterloo Road”, which is filmed in Greenock, and with RIG Arts releasing its latest film, “Dying Light”, which features young people who are unemployed and are now being given training and experience in the media industry, does the cabinet secretary agree that the media industry in Inverclyde is thriving and has even greater potential to provide more job opportunities, boost the economy and boost tourism? Does she agree that that highlights the talent that exists in the area? Will she agree to meet representatives of RIG Arts to discuss how they can assist the Scottish Government in working towards a greater level of social inclusion?

Photo of Fiona Hyslop Fiona Hyslop Scottish National Party

Yes. The media industry in Inverclyde is clearly thriving. The new tax relief for high-end television looks set to create new opportunities. The type of training that Stuart McMillan describes RIG Arts giving provides an opportunity to tackle social inclusion as well as providing skills. It is a practical example of how we can help young people in particular. I would be very interested to find out first hand what RIG Arts has been doing.

Photo of Duncan McNeil Duncan McNeil Labour

The creative industries are, indeed, an opportunity for Scotland and Inverclyde. We have made some real progress there. Will the minister clarify that the new Scottish film studio that the Government and its agencies are considering will not focus simply on Glasgow? Will Inverclyde have an opportunity to bid for the location of that studio?

Photo of Fiona Hyslop Fiona Hyslop Scottish National Party

Developments involve discussions with private businesses. Therefore, on the grounds of commercial confidentiality, it is difficult for me to say much more. However, we want a sustainable, thriving film industry that serves all of Scotland. We will need to look at the infrastructure not only in Glasgow but throughout Scotland, including Inverclyde, whether that is facilities, skills or training. I discussed that holistic view with film-makers and producers only this week in the meetings and discussions that have been taking place as part of the Edinburgh international film festival.