No, I will not.

We will continue to develop the strategy with the sector in the future.

Clare Adamson mentioned feedback from Scottish Opera, which is one of the big hitters and one of the jewels in our cultural firmament. Its ambition to work more internationally is one that I whole-heartedly support.

Jamie Greene spoke about Creative Scotland but, sadly, failed to acknowledge its strengthened financial position, which has happened since he left the committee. Perhaps he has just not been reading the updates on all that.

I say to Michelle Thomson that it is excellent to hear a colleague with such a professional cultural background making interventions and highlighting the real damage that Brexit has caused.

Alex Rowley welcomed the international culture strategy, which is a good thing. I stress again that it is crucial to have domestic cultural recovery and support. We have to do both. It is not about having one or the other—it is about both.

Evelyn Tweed rightly highlighted the advantages of the cultural and economic benefits that we derive from international engagement, whether it be through tartan day—or tartan week, as it is now becoming—or through sporting events such as the UCI championships.

Forgive me, but I do not have enough time.

Fulton MacGregor suggested that I should visit the Nightsky studio in Coatbridge. I have already done so. I agree that it presents a positive reflection of the massive growth of the screen sector.

Sadly, Jackson Carlaw clearly had not even made it to page 3 of the strategy, which talks about Scotland’s five national performing companies. I am sorry that he does not know what those companies are. They are the National Theatre of Scotland, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra—

No, I will not.

They also include Scottish Ballet, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Scottish Opera. Mr Carlaw should use his time a little more constructively. I am delighted that he has read my book on Vienna, but perhaps he should read the strategy that we are debating.

No, I do not have enough time.

I stress again that the strategy has been developed with the sector; it is not a top-down exercise.

Keith Brown made two specific suggestions. The first was that we should have imagination and that our agencies that are involved in supporting the arts, whether that be Historic Environment Scotland, Creative Scotland or others, should be imaginative in delivering and thinking new thoughts about how we can support the sector. I absolutely agree with him and look forward to working with them. Many initiatives are already under way, and we could support many more. Secondly, Mr Brown underlined a point that must lie close to the hearts of MSPs representing the broadest of swathes of Scotland, which is that we need culture to flourish in all parts of the country.

Foysol Choudhury called for a discussion with the sector—and the point was made a number of times by Neil Bibby in interventions—almost suggesting that there is not an on-going discussion with the sector at the present time, but there is an on-going discussion with the sector. It is not about headline grabbing; it is about meeting day in, day out and week in, week out, talking about the challenges that the sector faces.

I thank Christine Grahame for bringing the motion to the Parliament, and members from across the chamber—Clare Haughey, Craig Hoy, Foysol Choudhury and Jamie Greene—who have contributed on a subject that is close to my heart, as a former radio broadcaster by profession. I am sure that I speak on behalf of every member in the chamber when I say that I would be grateful if Craig Hoy would share a link to his Edinburgh university radio cookery programme. We would all enjoy listening to that.

I agree with all members that community radio stations play an important part in the social fabric of Scotland. Community radio has an important role in the lives of its listeners. It creates a sense of connection to others in the community, promotes local activity and encourages engagement. Its enduring importance in Scotland can be seen in the growing number of stations. In March 2023, 32 community radio stations were broadcasting in Scotland—that is almost double the number that existed a decade ago. Rightly, many of them have been name-checked in the course of proceedings today.

According to a recent study that was published by the University of Northampton,

“there are high levels of trust amongst listeners ... they ... act upon information”

and

“Significant numbers of listeners have been directly helped in ... employment and health”

and other areas

“thanks to information heard and trusted on local community radio.”

Those small, and usually volunteer-led, organisations provide a vital resource not only for the communities that they serve but for the Scottish music industry by providing a platform for emerging artists. That is why I am delighted to congratulate Crystal FM on its second year running as the best community radio broadcaster at the SME News Scottish enterprise awards.

That accolade is hard-earned. The station runs for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and includes original and locally produced output, with important objectives including facilitating discussion, providing training and strengthening links within the community and—as we have heard—even as far away as Kirkcaldy.

The Scottish Government recognises that culture; stations should respond to the ambition, need and challenges of our communities, and Crystal FM Penicuik has demonstrated that it does just that. Our culture strategy makes it clear that our ambition is for everyone in Scotland to experience culture and the empowering potential that it holds for communities across the country. We can all acknowledge culture’s unique power to inspire, enrich and transform not only the lives of individuals but the collective wellbeing of our communities.

The Scottish Government strongly supports broadcasting and the important role of the distinct and essential services that are provided by broadcasters in relation to audiences and the creative sector in Scotland. We engage closely with the media regulator, Ofcom, to ensure that Scottish interests are fully considered. This week, I met Melanie Dawes, who is the chief executive of Ofcom, to discuss its future plans in Scotland. I value Ofcom’s initiatives to improve and support community radio, and on ensuring that stations can focus on delivering social gain for their target communities.

I also take the opportunity to encourage people who have an interest to respond to Ofcom’s consultation on the key commitments for community radio, which was mentioned by Jamie Greene. As is set out in the “Building a New Scotland” series paper, “Culture in an Independent Scotland”,

“nearly nine in ten of us listen to the radio weekly, for an average of almost 19 hours ... yet broadcasting remains reserved and decision-making on key issues sits with the UK Government.”

With independence, the Scottish Government could build on the strengths of the current broadcasting model and use new powers to develop a broadcasting strategy that better reflects and prioritises the specific needs and interests of Scottish audiences and our creative economy.

Today we are celebrating Crystal FM, station co-ordinator Colin McCall and his great team of more than 50 volunteers. The Scottish Government values the skills, kindness and commitment of our volunteers. We recognise the difference that they make to people’s lives, and we appreciate all those who give their time to volunteer and make things better for others. Volunteering has the power to make an impact on society and on our wellbeing, and it is one of the most rewarding things that we can do. It makes vital contributions to health and wellbeing, both for those who volunteer and for those who gain from that support.

Volunteering brings communities together, and it helps people to feel valued and to be part of something good. It also brings generations together and creates a greater sense of belonging. We recognise the value of volunteering and the role of community-based organisations in delivering positive social impact.

I am delighted that Crystal FM presenters are reaching not only their community in Midlothian but listeners across Europe, North America, Australia and India, which demonstrates that Scotland’s culture and creative sector is respected the world over for its creative output.

In recognition of that, the Scottish Government has published “Inspiring Connections: Scotland’s International Culture Strategy 2024-30”. This is the first time that the Scottish Government has set out a strategic approach to international cultural activity. We have supported the sector’s international work and the new strategy aims to maximise its potential and to provide coherence to our approach.

I look forward to hearing what countries will be added to Crystal FM’s future list of listeners, and I wish the team all the best for the future. The Scottish Government truly values the importance of its work, agrees with Christine Grahame that radio stations are an important part of local communities and thanks all those involved for their continuing efforts.

I thank Christine Grahame again for securing the debate, which has provided me with the opportunity not only to celebrate the success of Crystal FM in Penicuik but to note the importance of community radio right across Scotland.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to log into the online voting system. I would have voted no.

I have absolutely no doubt that these proceedings are being watched closely by those at Creative Scotland, and I also have no doubt that they will be listening closely to the points that the member has raised thus far. I await the conclusions of Creative Scotland’s review of the matter, and I will consider any outstanding questions that have been raised by colleagues in relation to how Creative Scotland has conducted its review, the conclusions that it makes and the actions that it will take. I will be happy to share those conclusions with Neil Bibby and colleagues and, if there are any wider lessons to be learned, including legal issues, those matters will need to be broached.

No doubt there are a great number of cultural projects where people could ask, “Why has this been funded, but not that?” In such cases, it is perfectly understandable that people will wish to understand how a decision could be made to support one applicant but then deny the applications of others. Those are questions that are quite rightly for Creative Scotland. The leadership of Creative Scotland regularly attends evidence sessions of the Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, and those questions can no doubt be asked of Creative Scotland decision makers.

Foysol Choudhury and I are in agreement that it is important to have arm’s-length respect for the work of Creative Scotland, and I hope that he agrees that it is a good thing that a review has been instigated extremely quickly. I hope that that review and a decision will follow swiftly. No doubt we will discuss what emerges from the review, and we will be able to weigh up the queries that Foysol Choudhury has raised about the relative priorities for which projects are supported.

I will give an example of how that has worked recently. Creative Scotland was in charge of dispensing significant sums of financial support during the Covid pandemic. The results of that process are a matter of public record. I think that everybody associated with Creative Scotland can be proud of the probity with which those funds were disbursed.

It is quite right that this case should be raised, and I join Stephen Kerr in praising the journalists who have been at the heart of doing so. I am sure that Mr Kerr appreciates the point, which I have now made a number of times, that it is important for Creative Scotland, as an arm’s-length organisation, to be able to do its work, and it is doing that in review now. Creative Scotland’s leaders regularly come to the Parliament, which gives members the opportunity to ask them about the processes that are in place. Mr Kerr will also appreciate that the culture department, which works with me, as cabinet secretary, and works closely with Creative Scotland, wants to satisfy itself that all those processes work in the way in which Creative Scotland and arm’s-length organisations are supposed to operate.

The situation is under continuous review. We will look at the conclusions of the investigation into that particular incident. If any wider issues need to be taken on board by Creative Scotland or the Scottish Government, or if there are lessons to be learned, that is absolutely what will happen.

To help colleagues’ understanding of what is currently under way, it is useful to read the statement that has been released by Creative Scotland, which says that, although Creative Scotland supports

“freedom of expression and artists being able to push the boundaries of radical performance ... the project, Rein, is considerably more explicit in its execution than was indicated in the application received to our Open Fund. As such, we are reviewing this award and will be discussing next steps with the applicant and with the other partners in the project.”

The specific queries that Neil Bibby has raised are very apposite, but I wish to await the conclusions from Creative Scotland in the first instance. He and colleagues from across the parties understand the importance of the arms’ length and independent nature of Creative Scotland. On the basis of what is concluded in the review, further questions as to the consequences will no doubt follow.