MP demands answers over £10m events funding

Ms Jardine criticised delays in allocating cash from a £10m support package, saying it must be used urgently to help the creative sectors survive the winter.

Funding of £10m was announced by the Scottish Government in August to provide cash help to organisers of cultural, community and sporting events, as well as event suppliers.

Ms Jardine said she was frustrated that £2m of the funds have been delayed and has written to Economy, Culture and Fair Work minister Fiona Hyslop asking when the Scottish Government will allocate the cash. She has also requested a full breakdown of how funds have been allocated so far.

It comes after the Events Industry Alliance warned in October that it faces catastrophic job losses, of more than 90,000 people across the UK.

Scotland’s creative industry contributes around £6 billion per year to the Scottish economy, much of that by independent Edinburgh based businesses.

Edinburgh’s festival scene has been among those devastated by restrictions brought in to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Ms Jardine said: “Much of the industry has been forced to remain closed for months with little government support and now face the possibility of being closed for a further six months.

“My frustration levels with the Scottish Government is reaching new heights. I’ve been contacted by countless constituents who work in this sector who tell me they have had no support now for ten months.

“The events industry is vital to Scotland’s economic and cultural life, yet skilled individuals and businesses have been left in the cold.

“We need to know why the delay from the Scottish Government in allocating the remaining £2 million funds they hold when we have warnings of redundancies within weeks.

“The Scottish Government must fully explain where the money has been spent so far, and how it plans to allocate the rest.

“They must provide the support to this previously vibrant, needs urgently, so that it can return to growth, or risk losing it.”

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