I acknowledge the challenge that organisations in the culture sector still face, notwithstanding the record increase in culture spending, which I commend Parliament for voting for yesterday. Mr Hoy voted against that.

In answer to his question, I point his attention to the fact that there have been a number of announcements about the Scottish Government’s provision of funding in addition to multiannual funding, for resilience and the development of different organisations. If he wishes to write to me about that issue specifically, I would be happy to enter correspondence with him on the matter.

Through its humanitarian emergency fund, the Scottish Government continues to respond quickly and decisively to overwhelming humanitarian crises across the world by providing much-needed financial support that enables the operations of agencies and charity organisations in conflict regions to deliver services to reduce the threat to the lives and wellbeing of communities that are affected by conflict and persecution. The Scottish Government works with our standing humanitarian emergency fund panel and the Disasters Emergency Committee to ensure that the prioritisation of funding is based on urgent need and is established on the principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality in support of peace in regions that are affected by conflict.

Frankly, the biggest concern that I have about one hand taking away while the other is giving relates to the Labour Government’s increase in employer national insurance contributions. I have made my point, and I will underline that point, because that is the biggest single challenge.

On local authorities and the provision of rentable property, I am delighted that Parliament passed the budget, which will provide local authorities with extra resources that may go some way towards obviating the challenge that Mr Bibby identifies. I point out to the chamber that Mr Bibby abstained on the question of whether local authorities should have more money and, indeed, whether the culture sector should have its record increase in funding.

As I outlined in my statement to Parliament on 30 January, Creative Scotland’s multiyear funding provides a basis for Scotland’s cultural sector to look to the future with optimism. A total of 251 cultural organisations will receive funding from 2025-26, and a further 13 organisations will have the possibility of joining from 2026-27.

Creative Scotland has been able to support every organisation that met the funding criteria because of the level of funding that the Scottish Government has been able to commit. I reiterate my congratulations to all the organisations that have secured financial support.

I completely agree with Emma Harper about the importance that she places on supporting festivals in all corners of the country. That is why I initiated a strategic partnership for Scotland’s arts festivals, thereby ensuring that we can support them to flourish.

Through the conversations that I have had across the culture sector, my focus has been on turning intent into delivery. The budget reflects that intent by providing £4 million of additional support for Scotland’s arts festivals, which includes a £3 million expansion of the expo festival fund to enhance the work that has been undertaken by existing expo fund recipients and to broaden the scope of the fund across the country.

I am happy to give a brief answer. Yes—I would be delighted to meet Colin Smyth to hold such discussions.

The Scottish Government is providing an uplift of £1 million in funding across our five national performing companies in 2025-26, which includes a boost to the international touring fund. That investment takes our core funding to its highest level since 2011-12.

The Scottish Government continues to engage regularly with Scottish Opera and the other national performing companies on evolving consensus on how the shared international touring fund can best be utilised to contribute to their touring ambitions and enhance the reputation of brand Scotland on the global stage. My officials recently met all five national performing companies and welcomed their views on the purposes of the international touring fund, which officials are taking forward in their discussions.

I am open to any suggestions of the kind that Maurice Golden has made. Indeed, I welcome them very much, and I would be grateful if he could forward to me any further thoughts.

There is also the potential for integrated travel with visitor opportunities and the work that we are doing with festivals. I know that the question was specifically about locations rather than festivals, but I think that bringing together public authorities to support the heritage and cultural scene is part of the answer to the challenges that they face, as are the additional funds that I hope Maurice Golden will vote for in next week’s budget process.

I am aware of the challenges facing Dundee Heritage Trust, which is a very important organisation that is responsible for the RRS Discovery and the Verdant Works museum. I also recognise the challenges faced by heritage organisations across Scotland, which is why we are continuing to support the sector through the awarding of £4.2 million of funding in the draft 2025-26 budget to Museums Galleries Scotland and the development of a new £4 million culture and heritage capacity fund. We are continuing discussions with the trust and Dundee City Council with a view to the future.

Michael Marra makes powerful points that have been the subject of discussions with Dundee Heritage Trust, the leader of Dundee City Council, Mark Flynn, and the constituency MSPs and MPs. I will make sure that Mr Marra is updated on progress, but I hope that he appreciates the important additional funding allocations for Museums Galleries Scotland and the new £4 million culture and heritage capacity fund, and that he will vote for those in the budget process next week.