08/11/2012

£50m Museums And Galleries Boost Announced

Scotland’s museums and galleries are set to receive almost £50 million from the Scottish Government in 2013-14, the Culture Secretary has announced.

In a speech to museum chiefs from across the UK, Fiona Hyslop confirmed the Scottish Government’s continued support for the sector which, according to industry figures, contributes £662 million to the Scottish economy and supports more than 3,800 jobs.

The Culture Secretary also told delegates at the Museums Association Conference in Edinburgh that Scottish independence is the best way to protect museum budgets from UK Government cuts.

Ms Hyslop said: "Museums and galleries are tremendously important to society and the economy. We in Scotland value our heritage and understand the need to tell our story for generations to come.

"That is why - despite the budget cuts Scotland has been subjected to from the UK Government - I have allocated £49.7 million to the sector in the Scottish Government’s 2013-14 Draft Budget.

"This will ensure that Scottish Government grant funding for local museums and galleries is protected, while the budget settlement for our National Collections compares very favourably with the cuts faced by equivalent institutions in England.

"The Scottish Government supports independence so that we can protect museum budgets from the vagaries of the UK Government. Culture is a priority of ours and we want the economic powers to ensure a strong economy can protect a strong cultural spend."

(GK/IT)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

28 March 2013
Record High For Scotland's Renewable Energy
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has said Scotland generated 7% more renewable energy in 2012 than the previous year. In its latest report, it said 14,600 Gigawatt hours were generated in Scotland from renewable energy sources such as wind and hydro.
29 June 2012
Employers Get Support For Graduate Jobs
A new pilot scheme in Scotalnd to support graduate recruitment and business growth has been launched by the Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Dumfries and Galloway can now receive up to £3,000 to take on a graduate in a permanent post.
27 January 2005
Arts Minister seeks reinvigorated museum displays
Arts Minister, Estelle Morris, has announced a series of plans to reinvigorate displays and encourage visitors to come to English museums. Ms Morris, said that the 2000 museums and galleries in England were "treasure houses" of cultural and national heritage, but she added that too many of the items contained in them are hidden from the public.
09 November 2012
Scottish Referendum Question Confirmed
The exact wording of the Scottish independence question has been announced. The Scottish government has confirmed what question will be put before the people of Scotland when they are asked to vote on the independence referendum.
11 January 2012
Scottish Independence Referendum Plans Announced
The Scottish Government plans to hold an independence referendum in the autumn of 2014, First Minister Alex Salmond said following a meeting of the Cabinet yesterday afternoon.