Chamber and committees

That concludes questions. I thank our witnesses for their attendance. We have a final evidence session on the budget next week, followed by a session with the cabinet secretary on the evidence that we have taken.

Thank you. We will move to questions from the committee.

Our second item is to continue taking evidence as part of our pre-budget scrutiny of the culture spending portfolio. I welcome Sir John Leighton, director general of the National Galleries of Scotland; Lucy Casot, chief executive officer, Museums Galleries Scotland; and Alex Paterson, chief executive, Historic Environment Scotland. A very warm welcome to you.

I will start with questions about the financial outlook for your sectors. Last week, we heard that cultural organisations are experiencing a “perfect storm” of rapidly, and in some cases unexpectedly, increasing costs and reducing income. Your submissions would reflect that to us today. I will ask each of you in turn to provide an overview of the impact of the pandemic, the costs crisis and other financial pressures on your budgets and the impact that that will have be on the levels of service that you can provide.

Before you answer, Lucy, I am conscious that we have only 10 minutes or so left, and I still have another member who wants to come in, so if you could be concise in your answers that would be helpful.

Good morning. I give a warm welcome to the 21st meeting in 2022 of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee. We have received apologies from Donald Cameron MSP.

Our first agenda item is to take evidence on the BBC annual report and accounts, which the committee undertakes annually. We welcome to the committee Steve Carson, director of BBC Scotland; Louise Thornton, head of commissioning at BBC Scotland; and Rhodri Talfan Davies, BBC director of nations. I invite Mr Carson to make an opening statement.

I will ask a final question. A key theme of the work that the committee has been doing has related to a wellbeing society and wellbeing communities. We have been looking at how cultural budgets can leverage wellbeing in our communities. In relation to big-ticket items, will the BBC Scottish symphony orchestra—which, I think, is a jewel in the crown—be part of the strategy when looking at projects and at what might be done in communities? Will it provide diversity in terms of live audiences and audience participation in productions?

That was quicker than I thought it would be. Are there any final questions in the last few minutes that we have?

Mr Paterson, I know that two of my colleagues have asked for more information on areas of specific interest to them. It would be helpful if you could, when responding, cover the wider issues that you have mentioned and copy that letter to the committee.

Thank you very much for that informative opening statement. I will begin the questions. On the issue of impartiality, the BBC does not have to be neutral on every topic, but it must show due impartiality. Ofcom describes that as a “complex challenge”. It contrasted audiences’ ratings for BBC news, which is highly trusted for accuracy but has lower ratings for impartiality. The regulator has said:

“Given the apparent disparity between audience attitudes on the BBC’s impartiality and its good record of compliance with the due impartiality broadcasting rules, it is important for the BBC to find creative and engaging ways of delivering—and demonstrating—to audiences its commitment and approach to due impartiality, in order to retain trust.”

Do you have any reflections on the regulator’s view?

That exhausts the committee’s questions this morning, cabinet secretary. I thank you and your officials for attending.

We move into private session for the next agenda items.