I will make some progress. My cabinet secretary colleague Mairi Gougeon updated the Parliament on cancelled meetings with her UK Government opposite number. I hope that that will be rectified as a priority. Sadly, that reminds us more of poor relations with the previous UK Government—not one that is committed to a genuine reset with Europe and with the devolved Administrations.

Rhoda Grant rightly warned about suggesting that fishing agreements have been reached. I am not aware of that being the case—it would be good if true—but I would welcome it if she encouraged her UK colleagues at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to meet representatives of the Scottish Government.

Ariane Burgess pointed to a loss of fishing sector jobs since Brexit, which should concern us all. Beatrice Wishart underlined the contribution of the fisheries sector in Shetland and Scottish coastal communities. She raised something that I think has been missing in the debate: the importance of an agriculture, food and drink agreement—a sanitary and phytosanitary, or SPS, agreement—which, as I hope everybody across the chamber would agree, would be a beneficial part of the reset with the European Union that is being negotiated.

Karen Adam reminded members about the scope of the sector and the needs of the fishing communities that she so ably represents. Emma Harper reminded members how badly the fisheries sector is understood both by Tories and by the Labour Party.

In summary, it is beyond debate that key promises that were made during Brexit have not been delivered and that Brexit has had significant impacts on Scotland’s marine sector and our coastal and island communities. The Scottish Government will continue to represent the sector’s interests as it presses the United Kingdom Government to move ever closer in its relationship with the European Union until such time as we can, once and for all, reverse the folly of Brexit and rejoin the European Union as an independent member state.

The global and geopolitical outlook that we face today has truly exposed the incredible act of self-harm that this Government and the people of Scotland always knew Brexit to be. The force of global economic volatility and the spectre of US tariffs simply reinforce more than ever the importance of Scotland having the security, stability and opportunity that come with European Union membership.

Scotland paid a heavy price for a Brexit that it did not vote for, and that affected the fishing sector worse than many others. Salmon Scotland reported that Brexit cost Scotland around £75 million in 2023 in lost salmon exports to the European Union, and farming companies face increased red tape and costs. The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation described the Brexit deal as “desperately poor” and said that it generated

“huge disappointment and a great deal of anger”

about the

“failure to deliver on promises made repeatedly to this industry.”

Although I welcome the UK Government’s stated intention to improve relations with the European Union—and the Scottish Government will continue to engage proactively to seek improvements that can benefit Scottish people and traders—I deeply regret the fact that Scottish businesses, including those in the fishing sector, are no longer part of the largest single market and customs union on earth and no longer have the many benefits that come with freedom of movement within the EU.

I am open to considering all avenues, including Patrick Harvie’s proposal, that would support the growth and retention of the screen sector in Scotland. It is also important to put on the record that the rules in relation to screen production in Scotland have clearly been breached, most certainly when it comes to the spirit, if not the letter, of the rules in relation to production in Scotland. Frankly, the BBC is being watched very closely with regard to what it does, and that will form part of our approach to charter renewal.

I point out that normal countries decide broadcasting policy, but we do not do that in Scotland. Broadcasting policy is reserved to Westminster. Would we be having this debate if the Scottish Parliament had the power to exert direct influence on broadcasting? I think not. We should reflect on that, because that does not need to be so. I believe that this Parliament should be in charge of Scotland’s broadcasting policy.

As I touched on earlier, the Scottish Government has been critical of the level of BBC spend in Scotland. Although we have seen improvement, we remain seized of that issue, which we expect to be covered in the charter review. We also expect continued and more effective efforts from the BBC to move commissioning power to Scotland to ensure that more Scotland-originated productions can showcase the incredible talent that we have in Scotland. Improved equity, diversity and inclusion, as well as authentic representation, are best delivered by commissioning content from within Scotland, and the Scottish Government will continue to make those views clear in our engagement with the BBC, Ofcom and the UK Government, including with regard to the forthcoming charter review, in order to strengthen the delivery of services for audiences and the support for the creative sector in Scotland.

Having sustainable jobs and production businesses that are based in Scotland is essential to maintaining and developing a strong, sustainable and growing Scottish screen sector, which the Scottish Government is committed to growing to reach £1 billion in gross value added by 2030.

I will return to the motion. I reiterate my regret that the BBC has taken this decision and that we continue to see a number of challenges to the rebalancing of public service broadcasting for Scotland. The Scottish Government does not believe that audiences and our creative sector are currently being adequately served, and it is our view that it is unsustainable that broadcasting policy remains reserved to Westminster. We have long argued that it should be devolved to ensure that we can take the right decisions for our creative economy and for Scottish viewers and listeners. The cumulative effect of decisions that have been taken on broadcasting services in Scotland, which have weakened perceptions of and trust in the BBC and the benefits that we expect for audiences and the creative industries, only strengthens my view that the future of broadcasting would be safer in our hands.

I thank members and everyone who has shared their views with me and engaged with the Scottish Government on this important matter. There is clearly an abundance of passion and support for “River City” and the opportunities that that kind of production brings to our creative sector. I have been clear with the BBC that it must protect and increase its investment in Scotland and enhance the network of professionals who contribute to productions such as “River City”. I expect the BBC to fully and fairly represent all communities in Scotland, and I will continue to advocate on behalf of licence fee payers to ensure that the Scottish industry and audiences are properly represented.

I am pleased to respond on behalf of the Scottish Government to this important debate, and I thank Neil Bibby for lodging the motion. I pay tribute to the “River City” cast and crew, many of whom are with us in the public gallery, as well as to Equity, the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union and the Writers Guild of Great Britain, which have, in recent weeks, provided such strong representations on the subject.

It is more than regrettable that the BBC has taken the decision that it has regarding the only production of this kind in Scotland, and I am deeply disappointed that we continue to see a worrying trend in decision making that runs counter to the BBC’s commitment to invest in the nations and to improve representation. The Scottish Government could not be clearer that we expect the BBC to be doing more for our audiences and creative industries by developing skills and training opportunities, supporting quality jobs, creating high-quality programmes in Scotland and serving Scotland’s diverse audiences equitably.

As the many strong contributions that we have heard from members have emphasised, the discussion is critical, and we must take the time to acknowledge the vital role that a production such as “River City” has for our creative economy and for the many talented individuals who work on it. Although editorial decision making, of course, sits with the BBC, it is right that we speak out and urge against decisions that will impact services, skills, development and jobs in Scotland.

The BBC is accountable to Scottish audiences, and it should be delivering a service that meets the needs in Scotland. When I recently met the BBC Scotland director, I was clear that investment, skills and job opportunities must remain in Scotland and that we expect to see those increase. That is particularly important given the historical imbalance that has existed in relation to the proportion of licence fee income that is raised in Scotland being spent here.

I also recently met Ofcom to discuss wider production in Scotland, and I urged the regulator to ensure that the BBC is meeting its obligations in delivering for viewers and for Scotland’s creative professionals. As many members have highlighted, people working in Scotland’s screen sector must continue to be able to access meaningful career and skills development opportunities as they have been able to do through the “River City” training academy.

“River City” has been an important kick-starter for many careers, and it is vital that the BBC considers how it will continue to ensure that people can develop successful careers in Scotland. I will continue to press the BBC to deliver increasing opportunities for people in Scotland and to continue the positive diversity and inclusion work that “River City” has supported.

On the matter of talent development and Scotland-originated production growth, Screen Scotland is also closely engaging with the BBC, including through its memorandum of understanding with the BBC, to enable more new original content to be made and Scotland-based talent to be developed.

I take the opportunity to highlight the BBC charter and the upcoming review. The charter is essential in delivering the BBC’s public service remit, of which supporting the creative economies in the nations is a key purpose. The Scottish Government’s powers to bring about change in broadcasting policy are limited. However, we will do everything that we can to press the BBC to strengthen its investment and to ensure that decision making does not adversely impact that crucial public purpose.

In replying briefly, I note that VisitScotland and the national events strategy falls in the orbit of another ministerial colleague, but I will ensure that the point that Beatrice Wishart has raised is passed on to my departmental colleagues, because her point is, of course, entirely relevant for smaller areas or parts of the country that are further away from major population centres.

I can confirm to Mr Rennie that I do not have any scheduled meetings with President Trump in which I could raise the issues that he is outlining. There are also no plans in place or time agreed for any potential state visit, which is a matter for the United Kingdom Government.

Mr Rennie raises points about the challenges that have been thrown up in recent weeks and months, which make it much more challenging for all of us to protect our economic interests and free trade. To go back to the question, we will remain in dialogue on that with our EU friends, neighbours and allies. That is one of the areas in which Scotland house in Brussels does excellent work.

Regardless of the outcome of any US presidential election, and following the strong deregulatory impact of Brexit, the Scottish Government has always had a policy of aligning with the EU where it is possible and meaningful to do so.

In Scotland, we will continue to pursue that alignment across the full range of devolved policy areas. That will allow us to protect and advance the high standards that our fellow Europeans benefit from thanks to effective EU regulation, and will allow us to keep up with legislation that is in place across the member states of the EU.

The access all arts fund is supported by Creative Scotland and the National Lottery. I would be happy to put Mr Coffey in contact with the youth arts team at Creative Scotland to learn more about it.

Scottish Government funding directly supports the youth music initiative, which includes multi-artform strands. It will receive a budget uplift this year, taking our annual investment to £9.78 million. Within that, we will work with YouthLink, among other partners, to ensure that young people from all backgrounds have access to inspirational creative opportunities.

We value the support that Museums Galleries Scotland offers the sector. This year, due to the increased investment from the Scottish Government in the 2025-26 budget, Museums Galleries Scotland has opened the small grants fund to non-accredited museums, increasing support opportunities to more organisations across Scotland. Museums Galleries Scotland has also bolstered its repair and adaption fund, which will support capital costs that directly increase the resilience of museums or improve accessibility through projects that address capital repair issues and adaptations. Further details on the full range of support that is available through Museums Galleries Scotland is available on its website.

The Scottish Government values our local museums and heritage centres, which is why we have increased Museums Galleries Scotland’s funding from £2.7 million in 2024-25 to £4.27 million in 2025-26, as well as continuing to support Historic Environment Scotland. Those organisations deliver direct and indirect support to local museums and heritage centres across Scotland by providing expert advice as well as grant schemes, details of which can be found on their respective websites. I encourage Mr MacGregor to share that information with the Summerlee museum.

We are also collaboratively developing a strategically focused brand-new £4 million museums capacity and support programme with sector partners.