Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about the performing arts in Scotland.
I share your concern for the industry which has faced many difficulties as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is of some consolation that the UK Government has announced an unprecedented £1.57 billion package to help protect the arts, culture and heritage institutions, which includes £97 million for Scotland. I am aware that the Scottish Government has welcomed this support, as have key representatives of Scotland’s arts community.
Scottish employers can take advantage of UK Government-backed and guaranteed loans from a fund worth £330 billion and can apply for grants worth up to 80 per cent of wages to keep workers in jobs. This Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will pay up to £2,500 per worker each month, is backdated to 1st March and is available until the end of October. UK Government action throughout the pandemic has protected over 900,000 jobs, a third of Scotland’s entire workforce.
For guidance on the support available specifically for creative professionals I would encourage you to see details set out on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice page of the website for Creative Scotland, https://www.creativescotland.com/ , which includes details of bursary funds available to freelance and self-employed professionals who have lost out on income or work.
The overall policy on which businesses can reopen and when is for the Scottish Government to determine, but I will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Kind regards, Alister