SNP 'must fight' for jobs in arts and creative industries

Edinburgh and Lothians could face a long-term arts and entertainment unemployment crisis if SNP ministers do not step up the fight for jobs, Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack has said.

Boyack spoke out as Edinburgh and Scotland continues to be hit hard by the cancellation of the Edinburgh festivals and other major cultural events. She warned that if the furlough scheme ends before a quality jobs guarantee scheme is in place, thousands of workers in creative industries could be laid off.

Scottish Labour has calculated that the arts and entertainment sector employs at least 121,000 people across Scotland, including 19,000 in Edinburgh, with around 30,000 in the hospitality sector.

According to a submission to Holyrood's culture committee from Festivals Edinburgh: "The wider economy now stands to lose at least £360 million and 7,000 jobs from the collapse of the 2020 [festival] season".

The Edinburgh International Festival alone employs over 350 people including core, freelance and seasonal staff according to its own submission, as well as supporting up to 2,000 creative roles.

EIF says the "loss of income for those individuals could be the difference between being able to sustain their businesses for another year or risking redundancy."

Boyack added: “I am asking the First Minister what support the Scottish Government plans to provide for the arts sector in light of these worrying figures.

“Reassurances and funding guarantees will be crucial to helping our valued arts scenes overcome the ongoing impact of coronavirus, and help keep jobs for good.”