Perthshire Advertiser

MP welcomes arts funding

- ROBBIE CHALMERS

Ochil and South Perthshire MP John Nicolson has welcomed ‘necessary’ arts and culture funding after weeks of pressure from creative communitie­s in Perth and Kinross and beyond.

It comes after the UK Government announced a £1.57 billion support package to help protect the futures of theatres, galleries and museums.

In Monday’s daily briefing, the first minister welcomed the pledge of £97 million to Scotland’s cultural sector and assured the arts, culture, and heritage sectors that the funding would be passed to them in full.

The grants and loans are expected go a long way to preserving “crown jewel” venues in Perth and Kinross and beyond.

Commenting on the announceme­nt, Mr Nicolson said: “Films and books have brought great comfort to so many of us during the lockdown.

“And all of us are conscious of how tough these months have been for our galleries, museums, and theatres deprived of visitors for so long.

“Some have already gone into liquidatio­n.

“After weeks of pressure from the arts and culture communitie­s, I am glad the UK Government has finally understood that it needed to step in.

“And so the announceme­nt of emergency funding is welcome and will offer a temporary reprieve after months of confusion and stress.

“We are still unsure how this money will be divided across the sector and clarity from the UK Government will be key.

“The UK culture secretary should now outline how the funding will be distribute­d.

“We need to know how much will go to the many freelance creatives who slipped through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme net.”

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom