Chamber and committees

We should always strive to widen that audience—I am at one with John Mason on that. From the conversations that I have had with the national performing companies, I know that they are committed to that as well.

I am interested in the range of information that Mr Mason has. Perhaps he does not have all the information, but I have given a commitment to share the information that I have. If, as a result of seeing that, he identifies areas where we might be able to pursue a better understanding and get better statistics in order to pursue our shared objective, I would be happy to take the matter forward with him.

The Scottish Government was represented by officials from the Nordic international office at the Arctic Circle assembly in October 2025, who engaged with international stakeholders on a number of issues, including climate change, science and innovation, and rural economic development. That has enabled the Scottish Government to strengthen existing collaborations and gain valuable new insights into a region that has a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

The Scottish Government has had ministerial or official representation at every Arctic Circle assembly since 2016.

“Arctic Connections: Scotland’s Arctic Policy Framework”, which was launched in 2019, strengthens our co-operation with Arctic and sub-Arctic nations by promoting knowledge exchange on shared challenges such as climate change, community resilience and sustainable economic development. The framework highlights areas where Scottish expertise aligns with Arctic priorities. It is currently under evaluation, with the recommendations due in February.

To enhance Scotland’s role as a European gateway to the Arctic, the Scottish Government works closely with Arctic, Nordic and Baltic partners and ensures Scottish participation in key Arctic conferences.

We also seek to attract Arctic events to Scotland to broaden civic engagement. That work is supported by the Scottish Arctic Network, which is a network of researchers, and by the Scottish Government offices in Copenhagen, Ottawa and Washington DC, which help to maintain and deepen Scotland’s Arctic relationships.

I agree with Jamie Greene, David Cameron and all the political parties in the chamber that have supported international development over the past 20 years. It is simply very disappointing to see the Conservative Party walking away from that consensus.

The Scottish Government has a long-standing history of supporting young people to engage in the arts through programmes such as the youth music initiative and Sistema Scotland. We are proud that those programmes will receive an uplift in the 2026-27 budget, taking our annual investment in the programmes to £10 million and £2.787 million. Both programmes demonstrate the transformative power of culture, ensuring that young people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to enjoy music and wider arts.

I am proud to confirm that, as the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government set out in her statement to Parliament, while others are choosing to reduce commitments to international development, we in Scotland will increase our international development fund by a quarter to £16 million. We have also reaffirmed our commitment to climate justice, with more than £12 million allocated to support for vulnerable communities in the global south, particularly women and young people.

As the budget is currently in draft, we await final agreement through the parliamentary process before confirming allocations and spending plans for next year that reflect the proposed uplift.

As the member knows, there has been a significant financial contribution in relation to those issues, particularly in the health and social care budget. I hope that she also recognises that, at the same time, Scotland’s charities and humanitarian relief organisations have done and continue to do a fantastic job.

International development has been supported by Scottish Governments for the past 20 years and has enjoyed cross-party support. I assume that I should conclude from the member’s question that her party is opposed to international development spending and to that consensus. I am very sorry if that is indeed the case.

I have been in extensive conversations over the years with our national performing companies, and I acknowledge that teaching and the teaching pipeline—the students who come through from our schools into the likes of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland—are very important.

If Ms Smith will allow me to do so, I will write to her with greater detail, because I acknowledge that it is really important that our young people receive investment and support. That is exactly what is happening through the budget process. I gently suggest to Ms Smith that, if she agrees with me that that is important, she votes for the budget.

I am proud to confirm that, as the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government set out in her statement to Parliament, while others are choosing to reduce commitments to international development, we in Scotland will increase our international development fund by a quarter to £16 million. We have also reaffirmed our commitment to climate justice, with more than £12 million allocated to support for vulnerable communities in the global south, particularly women and young people.

As the budget is currently in draft, we await final agreement through the parliamentary process before confirming allocations and spending plans for next year that reflect the proposed uplift.

The Scottish Government has a long-standing history of supporting young people to engage in the arts through programmes such as the youth music initiative and Sistema Scotland. We are proud that those programmes will receive an uplift in the 2026-27 budget, taking our annual investment in the programmes to £10 million and £2.787 million. Both programmes demonstrate the transformative power of culture, ensuring that young people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to enjoy music and wider arts.