Chamber and committees

That is more of a suggestion than a question, but please be succinct in your response, cabinet secretary.

Thank you for that introduction—and for allowing me to host a showing of “Dr Who” at Christmas time at the Parliament on behalf of the BBC. It was enjoyed by all who attended.

I will open with a dive into some of the financial figures in the report. On page 9 of our papers, there is a breakdown of spend as a percentage of fee income by country. I find it difficult to understand. Is there a global—United Kingdom—strategic spend that Scotland contributes to? In addition, the figures that are given are percentages, which is helpful, but it would be good to have an idea of the magnitude of the figures, in real terms, for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I would also like to know how you have got to a spend of 111 per cent.

Thank you for that. Wales and Northern Ireland are sitting at 111 per cent. Does that additional investment come from a UK pot of money?

This needs to be your final question, Mr Bibby—a really small question, please, and a really succinct one.

That is helpful. Thank you very much. We will move to questions from colleagues, and I will bring in Keith Brown first.

I want to share something with you regarding the committee’s work in the context of Ms Forbes’s questions about the regional broadcast studios and Mr Bibby’s comment about really local broadcasting. When the committee held its inquiry into culture in communities, we went to Orkney and met stakeholders there, and in the morning I was interviewed in the studio in Kirkwall. As a parliamentarian who has worked in committees for a long time in this place, I note that the engagement that we got from the local community from that single broadcast, which brought the Parliament’s work right into the community, was fantastic. That was possible in that context, but it could be contrasted with a committee working in Glasgow or somewhere else, noting the focus of the broadcast news there. Given that experience in Orkney, I think that it would be helpful to get a reflection on that space and on how the work of the committee and the Parliament could be used.

Good morning, and welcome to the second meeting of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee in 2024. Our first agenda item is a decision on taking business in private. Are members content to take agenda item 4 in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Welcome back. Our third item is our final evidence session on the budget. We are joined by Angus Robertson, the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and by Penelope Cooper, who is the director of culture and major events at the Scottish Government. A warm welcome to you both. I invite Mr Robertson to make a brief opening statement.

Shona McCarthy, would you like to come in next?

Thank you very much. I now call Francesca Hegyi.