Bectu responds to Creative Scotland warning on cuts to regularly funded organisations

Bectu is dismayed at news that Creative Scotland may have to cut the number of companies and organisations it provides long-term funding for by half, following having its budget cut by more than  10 per cent by the Scottish Government.

Creative Scotland currently supports more than 120 organisations, who together employ more than 5000 workers, in its £34 million ‘regularly funded organisations’ network.

Putting Fair Work First

Bectu has been in regular and ongoing discussions with Creative Scotland, the Scottish Government and theatre employers, highlighting the looming financial crisis facing the industry.

At recent meetings with the Scottish Government, Bectu has emphasised that many organisations continue to face insolvency and some have only survived due to emergency Covid funding they have received from the Scottish Government over the past two years.

Bectu has also been lobbying Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government to recognise the importance of supporting employers who fully engage with the Fair Work First policies agreed between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC).

These policies, published in 2021, require employers to pay no less than the real living wage, to insist on industry standard rates and to fully engage with trade unions through collective bargaining.

Bectu has warned that some employers will respond to the impending funding cuts by seeking to undercut industry rates and to further casualise an industry that is already decimated by staffing shortages, due to historic low wages and poor treatment of workers.

Bectu is calling on the Scottish Government to support its stated commitment to the arts by identifying additional funding to support responsible employers.

Bectu negotiations officer for Scotland, Paul McManus, said:

“It’s been clear for some time now that the industry is heading towards a funding crisis. While we always want to see the whole sector receiving proper support, we have made it clear to Creative Scotland that its first priority must be to provide adequate funding to those employers who have worked with Bectu and other entertainment unions to deliver on the agreed Fair Work First policies.

“It would be entirely unacceptable and disingenuous if funding is awarded to employers that Bectu and the STUC have flagged as being opposed to fair work principles or who appear reluctant to embrace them.

“We will continue to fully engage with Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government following this announcement. The government must stand by its commitment to the arts by putting its money where its mouth is, and make clear its commitment to responsible employment practices.”

Members who are concerned about the announcement can contact:  [email protected]