It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but once again, we’re bracing for cuts.
It feels like a relentless cycle of penny pinching where one vital sector after another feels the squeeze due to fiscal necessity. This time however, the sights are set on the arts.
The timing is rather ironic, as Edinburgh hosts the biggest arts festival in the world, showcasing the very heart and soul of what makes Scotland unique.
Deputy First Minister Shona Robison’s recent announcement of a freeze on non-essential spending has sent shockwaves through the arts community. The ending of the Creative Scotland open fund, which was a lifeline for countless artists, musicians, producers and writers is just the beginning of a potentially devastating series of cuts that will affect people in different ways across the country.
The arts have always been a soft target for cuts, perhaps because they are seen as non-essential compared to other public services. But this is a dangerous misconception. The arts are not a luxury; they are a necessity for a prosperous society. They contribute to our economy, our education, our mental health, and our sense of community and national pride.
The Edinburgh Festival alone brings in millions of pounds and attracts visitors from all over the world, boosting local businesses from hotels to restaurants, and enhancing Scotland’s global reputation as a hub for cultural excellence.
This international recognition not only benefits the capital’s economy but also strengthens Scotland’s position on the world stage, highlighting the arts as a crucial component of our national identity. Without robust support, we put all of that in jeopardy.
Lingchi was an ancient form of torture used in China, often translated as “death by a thousand cuts,” and is an appropriate metaphor for what the sector is dealing with. It’s one thing to ask the arts to take a hit in tough times; it’s another to keep cutting until there’s nothing left to cut.
Moves like this also tend not to happen in isolation, so many sectors that are kept alive by government support will be on high alert. The news from Creative Scotland is sobering and a warning that government spending is not the reliable resource we sometimes think it is.
One such example is the winter fuel payment that has been a real lifeline for many pensioners.
The cost of living crisis hasn’t gone away, nor has the issue of fuel poverty – and winter’s on its way so anxiety around affording energy bills will be at an all-time high.
Try telling those pensioners who’re on the breadline that their winter fuel payment is “non-essential spending”. I’m sure they’d beg to differ.
The only light at the end of the tunnel is that this benefit, which used to be universal, won’t disappear completely – moving forward, it will be means-tested. Thank goodness it will still exist in some form, though I imagine it must be stressful to be an applicant, uncertain of whether you’ll qualify.
Many people immediately took to social media to blast the move when there were pensioners in need. But on the flip side there were some who applauded it as a prudent move, arguing that the universal payment meant money was being wasted on people who didn’t need it.
All we can do is hope that the new system is fair and efficient and that the cut-off isn’t too harsh, because I’d hate for anyone in genuine need to lose out.
From arts to fuel payments, the cuts described above are, in my opinion, choices that prioritise short-term savings over long-term well-being and cultural vitality.
As they continue to bite, we must ask ourselves what kind of Scotland we want to live in. A Scotland that values creativity, innovation, and expression, and a Scotland that looks after those who are most vulnerable in society, or a Scotland that seems to forget the true meaning of “essential” in the name of fiscal prudence.
Scotland’s small and medium sized home builders are operating in a hugely challenging environment which lacks the economies of scale that benefit larger developers.
The increasing regulatory burden of a complex planning system coupled with high risk upfront costs makes many SME developments unviable.
According to Homes for Scotland (HFS), an organisation which represents 200 organisations, there has been a significant increase in the number of SME home builders being dissolved, with 2023 levels 45 per cent higher than in 2019.
This year alone has seen homebuilders such as Stewart Milne Group enter into administration with many Scottish jobs lost.
Furthermore, the number of new homes sold by the smallest developers, those building fewer than 49 homes per year, has fallen from around 40 per cent in 2017 to 20 per cent in 2023.
These are concerning figures considering the housing emergency. A worrying 28 per cent of Scottish households are already identified as being in some form of housing need.
I agree with HFS Chief Executive, Jane Wood, that the Scottish Government needs to move quickly on regulatory reform to remove challenges for SME builders, review planning practices to ensure SMEs are supported, and to consider new funding streams to unlock sites.
SME home builders are essential for supporting jobs as well as developing rural and brownfield sites. They also ensure there is a diverse mix of new homes that are both warm and sustainable for Scotland’s communities.
It Made Me Laugh
The Scottish accent is known internationally for its expressiveness, dramatic delivery and the ability to convey a range of emotions – positive or negative!
I had to laugh at the news that home security firm Ring has launched an open casting call to find its first ever Scottish doorbell voice.
Scots hoping to become the doorbell voice of the nation can do so by recording themselves reciting a popular doorbell greeting. I’d love to hear the creative spin some of the entrants put on their applications.
Non-native faces will be a picture when they hear, ‘Hullo, hoo’s it gaun? Lang time nae see.’
In-person auditions will also be held in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh throughout September, judged by Edith Bowman.
It Made Me Weep
Thousands of Scottish workers could be facing an ‘impoverished retirement’ according to research by Edinburgh-based think tank, David Hume Institute (DHI).
The study highlights that a third of employers provide the bare minimum when it comes to sick pay, healthcare and pensions.
The next generation of Scots could be facing an impoverished old age after being unable to save enough money to comfortably retire, with the study showing that one in four Scots lose sleep over money worries.
Staff in hospitality, retail and social care industries are the most financially vulnerable.
The government and employers must do more to support workers and put an end to this retirement ticking time bomb.
