Question reference: S6W-10606
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 26 August 2022
-
Current status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 27 September 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm a capital finance package for the proposed Scottish Event Campus (SEC) expansion, which secured Planning Permission in Principle (PPiP) from Glasgow City Council in June 2021, and what its position is on whether its timeous construction is critical to maintaining the international competitiveness of the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).
Answer
We recognise the importance of the Scottish Events Campus as one of the world’s top conference and events venues, as recently exemplified in the successful hosting of COP26. It is clear that the SEC makes a vital contribution not just to Glasgow’s economy, but to Scotland’s economy as a whole.
As Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, I engaged with Peter Duthie, the CEO of the SEC, with regards to the SEC expansion plans and broader matters affecting the events sector. These discussions have necessarily been paused due to emerging budgetary pressures and reassessment of budget priorities as set out in the Resource Spending Review. We are therefore unable to commit to the provision of funding support via a capital finance package for the expansion of the conferencing centre at the current time.
However, we are keen to continue to engage with the SEC and the wider business conference and events sector on how the review of the National Event Strategy Scotland: The Perfect Stage, can enable us to build on its success, and to deliver on the priorities of our National Strategy for Economic Transformation.