I have had regular discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government regarding the aim of providing a further £25 million in the next financial year as part of the commitment to provide an additional £100 million per year by 2028-29. I look forward to setting out further details on culture funding for the next financial year in the coming days, after the Scottish Government budget has been published later this afternoon.

Mark Griffin has asked an important question just ahead of the budget, so he will have to be a bit patient. I note what he has said about local government finance and the Labour Party’s hope that we will raise spending by £25 million, which was echoed by the Scottish Music Industry Association. Let us see what is in the budget later this afternoon, and I will be happy to have further conversations with Mark Griffin, if he wants.

I give Neil Bibby the same assurance that I gave colleagues from other political parties in previous portfolio questions. The independent review of Creative Scotland will have to consider the wider arts and culture sector, not just that which is directly or indirectly funded by Creative Scotland. I am really keen for it to consider all the options that are relevant to people in the sector. That is why an invitation will be extended to the sector to raise issues, needs, interests, concerns and expectations. I expect members of all parties, and parties themselves, to be able to play an active role in that.

I give Neil Bibby a commitment that fair work is very high on my agenda. I believe that the review will be part of ensuring that we are able to deliver everything that we possibly can to ensure that people who work in the arts and culture sector are on a firm financial footing.

As I am sure that Alex Rowley knows, I am a big fan of libraries and a big supporter of library provision right across Scotland, whether in rural or urban settings.

The member raises an issue about democratic accountability and decisions that are made at local authority level. I am perfectly content to have a look at the question that he raises and I will endeavour to write back and reply to him. I will do anything that I can to support and encourage colleagues in local authorities to protect and support the provision of library services.

I would be in trouble if I was to preview what we are about to hear in the budget, so I will rest on the point that, once the Scottish Government budget has been published later this afternoon, I will set out further details on funding for specific areas of the culture sector, and I will be happy to share that with Ariane Burgess.

As I am sure Patrick Harvie would expect, I meet the trade unions in the culture and arts sector regularly. I think that I am right in saying that I did so only last week. Fair work was at the top of the agenda of our conversations and, as I said to the unions, I say to Mr Harvie that I expect the review to consider that and other issues. In the meantime, by working through the task force, the Scottish Government will continue to play its part in all deliverables that ensure that fair work is respected across the culture and arts sector.

I welcome Foysol Choudhury’s question and the way in which he asked it. I have already given commitments to the constituency member who represents the theatre in Musselburgh.

I am delighted to hear about the progress that is being made in Muirhouse. If there is anything more that I can do to support either of those organisations and venues, I am open to doing so.

I begin by extending my congratulations to the Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur for winning the Turner prize 2024. I note that she said that an inspiring school teacher and funding from the Scottish Government made it possible for her to train as an artist. I am sure that all members across the parties wish her well.

In answer to Tess White’s question, I recognise that it is essential that the culture sector has an opportunity to engage in the work on Creative Scotland. I can confirm that the engagement will begin early next year with a short survey about the scope of the review. The Scottish Government aims to announce the independent chair of the Creative Scotland review shortly and will aim for them to publish their recommendations by summer 2025.

I thank Tess White for her welcome of the review. I say to her, as I have said to other colleagues in previous portfolio question times, that I look forward to the independent chair of the Creative Scotland review being able to get on with the process independently. I am sure that, when we announce that person and they take up office, they will listen closely to what MSPs of all parties have said about issues that they consider that the review should look at. It is not for me to suggest what should be on and off the table for an independent chair of a review to take seriously. I am sure that Tess White will wish to raise that directly with the chair when their appointment is announced.

I commend Annabelle Ewing for her supplementary question, in which she raises the excellent opportunity that we all have to get behind the brand Scotland partnership. For members who are not aware, I point out that they can visit www.scotland.org and click on the link to the toolkit at the bottom of the landing page to access the amazing resources there to help promote things such as our economy, our tourism sector, our universities or the food and drink sector. All those organisations work in partnership as part of brand Scotland.

I hope and expect that colleagues from right across the chamber in all parties are using that resource to help promote Scotland at home and abroad. Of course, local communities are welcome to use the branding tools for their event promotion to help to showcase the beauty of Scotland to those who come here to live, work, study, visit and do business.