Tourism and Culture (Resources)

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 21 May 2019.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Alexander Burnett Alexander Burnett Conservative

6. I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests in relation to tourism.

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop resources to support the expansion of tourism and culture. (S5O-03269)

Photo of Fiona Hyslop Fiona Hyslop Scottish National Party

Scotland’s cultural life, economy and international reputation are influenced by the success of our tourism and culture sectors. Against a backdrop of public spending constraints, we remain committed to supporting the growth of both sectors in a sustainable and inclusive way that will benefit all our communities.

Following the original tourism Scotland 2020 strategy, Scotland’s new tourism strategy is being developed. That strategy will help the industry and the Scottish Government to address our current and future challenges, which include pressures on infrastructure, rising costs and European Union exit, and to become a world-class visitor destination. In the 2019-20 budget, we are investing £269.6 million in Scotland’s culture, tourism and heritage sector.

Photo of Alexander Burnett Alexander Burnett Conservative

The past four years of published statistics show that all 114 jobs that were advertised by Creative Scotland were in the central belt. Can the cabinet secretary inform me whether any jobs have been advertised in the north-east more recently, given the considerable contribution of the north-east to Scottish culture?

Photo of Fiona Hyslop Fiona Hyslop Scottish National Party

I am not the personnel manager for Creative Scotland. However, Alexander Burnett has made his point in relation to advertising. With regard to recruitment, anybody across—and, indeed, beyond—Scotland is eligible to apply for those posts. The posts tend to be based where the headquarters are located, and Creative Scotland’s headquarters are in Edinburgh, although it also has offices in Glasgow.

If Alexander Burnett is suggesting that those offices should be relocated elsewhere, he can make that point to Creative Scotland.

As cabinet secretary, I expect Creative Scotland and all its staff—not just those who are being recruited—to serve all of Scotland geographically. I expect that to apply to the north-east in the same way that I expect it to apply to anywhere else in Scotland.