Scottish Government Debate: Growing Scotland’s Creative Economy

1. Màiri McAllan S7M-01304 “That the Parliament recognises the significant contribution that Scotland's culture and creative sectors make to the nation's economy, communities and international reputation; notes that these sectors support employment, innovation and skills development across all parts of Scotland; celebrates the success of Scotland's artists, creative businesses, festivals, cultural organisations and screen sector in showcasing Scottish creativity at home and abroad; welcomes the commitment to establish Screen Scotland as a distinct public body, in light of the sector’s potential for growth and the benefits of inward investment and domestic production to the Scottish economy; notes the value of the public service broadcasting ecosystem to the wider screen sector and the importance of broadcasters fulfilling their obligations to Scottish audiences and creative industries; acknowledges the importance of ensuring that creative career pathways are accessible and sustainable for people from all backgrounds; recognises the role that culture and creativity play in strengthening community cohesion and improving wellbeing; welcomes the Scottish Government’s ongoing efforts and increased investment to support growth within the creative economy and to develop opportunities for creative workers and businesses; recognises also the unique and welcome contribution that Gaelic and Scots language and culture make to enriching Scotland’s society and economy, and supports continued collaboration across all of society to realise the full economic, cultural and social potential of Scotland's creative industries.” Further details available for S7M-01304 2. Katherine Sangster S7M-01304.3 As an amendment to S7M-01304 in the name of Màiri McAllan (Growing Scotland’s Creative Economy), insert at end “recognises that, despite Scotland’s wealth of talent, the creative industries in Scotland have grown at a slower rate than the UK average; believes that a strong creative sector needs a strong skills pipeline and effective business support, and calls on the Scottish Government to take action to ensure that Scotland’s skills system meets the needs of modern creative businesses and that Scotland’s enterprise agencies have the expertise and resources to support the growth of the creative industries.” Further details available for S7M-01304.3 3. David Kirkwood S7M-01304.1 As an amendment to motion S7M-01304 in the name of Màiri McAllan (Growing Scotland’s Creative Economy), leave out from first "welcomes" to end, and insert "notes that creativity is not limited to the performing or visual arts, but is inherent in every activity and every person; recognises that creativity is a synonym for innovation, and believes that Scotland has been the most innovative country on Earth since at least the mid-seventeenth century; recognises that innovation is most often the product of a society that values freedom of thought and is rich in trust and knowledge; insists that innovation cannot be directed by government, but flourishes when innovators are free of societal constraints, and celebrates that Scotland is, in its view, probably the most marketable country on the planet, with an enormous depth of international goodwill, as was demonstrated by the magnificent Tartan Army earlier this year, and by the very many instantly recognisable Scottish icons." Further details available for S7M-01304.1 4. Q Manivannan S7M-01304.2 As an amendment to motion S7M-01304 in the name of Màiri McAllan (Growing Scotland’s Creative Economy), insert at end “; recognises that fair work, including fair pay, secure contracts and safe working conditions, remains a significant challenge across parts of the creative sector, particularly for freelance and self-employed workers, who make up the majority of the workforce; calls on the Scottish Government to publish an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Culture Fair Work Task Force, which was published in December 2025; welcomes the Scottish Government’s engagement with consultations for a proposed Culture and Arts Bill and believes that this Bill, developed through meaningful consultation with artists and the culture sector, would provide a lasting legislative foundation for supporting Scotland’s creative industries, and calls for the Bill to be ambitious and inclusive of grassroots organisations and individuals." Further details available for S7M-01304.2 5. Murdo Fraser S7M-01304.4 As an amendment to motion S7M-01304 in the name of Màiri McAllan (Growing Scotland’s Creative Economy), leave out from second “welcomes" to end and insert "believes that public support for culture and the arts should uphold freedom of expression and speech, and that decisions on public funding should be made at arm’s length from government and be free from political interference"; recognises the contribution that Gaelic and Scots language and culture make to enriching Scotland’s society and economy, and supports collaboration across all of society to realise the full economic, cultural and social potential of Scotland's creative industries.” Further details available for S7M-01304.4 6. David Green S7M-01304.5 As an amendment to motion S7M-01304 in the name of Màiri McAllan (Growing Scotland’s Creative Economy), insert at end "; notes that the games sector contributes around £200m annually to the Scottish economy, employs over 2,000 people and has produced internationally recognised success stories; considers, however, that there are opportunities to grow the sector further and better compete with other countries around Europe, and calls on the Scottish Government to unlock investment and growth in the games sector by establishing a national games innovation centre alongside regional hubs as a means of developing expertise, research, fair work, business skills and low-cost office space for start-up studios." Further details available for S7M-01304.5