Live music is a subject that many of us in the chamber and across the country feel very passionate about. It adds value to our economy and to Scotland’s global cultural reputation. The Scottish Government will listen carefully to the findings of any fan-led review, as those would provide valuable insights to inform our continuing work with partners to help the sector to flourish.

Although some review issues such as dynamic ticket pricing and VAT rates are reserved, our latest budget already addresses some of the financial challenges that the sector faces. In 2025-26, 40 per cent relief is being offered to hospitality premises, including grass-roots music venues with a capacity of up to 1,500 people and a rateable value of up to and including £51,000. That relief is capped at £110,000 per business.

I assure Pauline McNeill that issues that have been part of public discourse for a while, such as the ticket levy, have been the subject of direct conversations that I have had with the Music Venue Trust and the wider sector.

We keep the matter under review. As I have said to the Scottish Green Party’s Patrick Harvie and Mark Ruskell—who regularly raises the issue—and to others, it is under active consideration. I am happy to look more closely at the other areas that the survey highlights, and to reply to Pauline McNeill. We have a shared interest in making sure that live music thrives. If there is anything that the Government can do more of, less of or differently to support the sector, I am keen that we do that.

I will look closely at the letter that is being sent on the subject, which is one that I take seriously. Murdo Fraser knows that, as long as I have been in office, I have been committed to changing the foundations of the way in which the culture sector is supported financially in Scotland. This year, we have been able to make a massive step change with the introduction of multi-annual funding, which directly and indirectly impacts on a lot of venues.

I have no doubt that there are other issues that should be considered and I am content to consider them. Murdo Fraser has made a number of suggestions that would entail more Government spending. I note, without wanting to be too prickly on the subject, that he voted against the record rise in spending for culture in Scotland. Nevertheless, I will give him another chance. If he has suggestions about financial interventions and where the money can be found, I would be happy to look at those.

To correct the record, spending for local authorities is going up under the SNP’s budget, which Rachael Hamilton voted against.

Specifically on facilities, I draw Rachael Hamilton’s attention to libraries, although I am happy to talk about other issues in correspondence. We believe that everybody should have access to library services. That is why we have asked the Scottish Library and Information Council to put together a short-life advisory group to explore what good-quality public library services look like and make recommendations on the mechanisms for ensuring that a standard level of service is delivered across Scotland, with an approach that strives for excellence and creates a benchmark for quality. The group is expected to commence work soon. I urge her to feed into that process.

One initiative in this year’s budget is to look at the establishment of a Scottish exports office for culture. I am sure that Jeremy Balfour will agree that one of the great opportunities for young up-and-coming artists across genres is that they have not only the ability to perform here but the ability to travel and perform internationally. I am very keen to support that specific area.

I draw Jeremy Balfour’s attention to other initiatives that are promoted and funded through Creative Scotland and which help to showcase young and up-and-coming talent. I am happy to forward some information to him on that. If he believes that anything should be done in addition to what is already taking place, I will be very interested to hear his suggestions. I agree with him that we want the young up-and-coming generations of talent in this country to thrive and succeed.

I hope that Tess White understands that Historic Environment Scotland, Creative Scotland and other such organisations are arm’s-length organisations. I agree with her that we want to ensure that all organisations comply fully with the law and the regulations that apply to them. I am happy to write to her about that.

Every time there are portfolio questions on culture, the cultural organisations watch the exchanges that take place. I am sure that Historic Environment Scotland will be seized of the matter that Tess White has raised. We can continue our dialogue on the subject during future question sessions.

First, I point out to Mr Marra—I think that he should know this, because he is usually well informed on these matters—that Scotland having fiscal control over its own policies is not a new priority of the Scottish Government; it has been a priority for a long time. Of course, we would like to be able to operate as an independent member state, like all our neighbours, all of which are more economically successful than the United Kingdom.

I do not recognise the statistic that Mr Marra has presented to us—if he would like to write to me on the subject, he should feel free to do so. There is a big difference between our parties. On the SNP benches, we believe that decisions about Scotland are best made in this place, by parliamentarians in the Scottish Parliament, rather than subcontracting them to Mr Marra’s colleagues in London, who seem to be making one bad mistake after another.

To answer briefly, it is clear that Scotland’s interests are not best served as part of the United Kingdom. Our best hope for the future lies in becoming an independent country in a partnership of equals with our friends across the United Kingdom. That will allow us to make a real difference for our people and our future prosperity.

Until such time as the people of Scotland can choose a different constitutional arrangement, moving to full fiscal autonomy would create a fairer system that would protect public services and allow investment in our economy.

We value culture in all its forms, which is why we increased the culture budget by a record £34 million in 2025-26. Creative Scotland is engaged with Scottish Borders Council through the Scottish Borders place partnership on developing a Scottish Borders culture strategy.

Creative Scotland supports Alchemy Film & Arts, which will receive a total of £881,250 in multiyear funding between 2025 and 2028. In 2024-25, Scottish Borders schools received £221,861 via the youth music initiative.

Of course, decisions on local culture policy lie with local authorities, and I urge Scottish Borders Council to continue working with local communities to ensure that they receive the services that they deserve.

I have to make some progress, but I will come to Mr Eagle’s comments in a moment.

The fishing community finds itself in a predicament made for it by the UK Government, and the UK Government has severely limited the scope for progress by the red lines that it has set itself for negotiating with the EU. The interests of Scotland are best served as an independent nation and member state of the European Union.

Coming now to individual contributions, I will start with that of Tim Eagle, who began by acknowledging that the TCA negotiated by the Conservative UK Government did not deliver for fishing communities. It is a shame that he did not apologise for his party’s sell-outs. We should never forget that it was the Conservatives who signed the UK up to the common fisheries policy.