Award-winning composer calls for more support for creatives

A Fife-based award-winning international composer who has worked on the likes of Brave and Outlaw King has criticised the UK Government for its failure to support freelance creatives.

Jim Sutherland, who has collaborated with stars including Mumford and Sons, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Billy Bragg and Emmylou Harris, said Westminster’s offer of a £1.5 billion package for the arts was unlikely to reach the people who need support the most.

His call has been backed by Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain, who said she had raised the matter with ministers.

Mr Sutherland said: “On the face of it this emergency fund will go to venues and organisations many of whom will already be in receipt of regular funding but how much will actually reach the arts creators themselves?”

He added: “Many of those freelance performers who have fallen through the cracks in government Covid support will have received nothing from this scheme and now face several more months of dire financial difficulty.”

Ms Chamberlain welcomed the government’s funding package but said there remains a “very worrying dearth of support” for freelancers and the self-employed.

“If we want to see our creative industries thrive again in the future, then we need to support them during this time of need,” she said.

Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage said: “The £1.57bn cultural package, which includes £97m for Scotland, will allow more businesses to survive and more creative activity to restart, ensuring employment opportunities for freelancers.”