Millions for Edinburgh Festivals in the Budget
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said on Wednesday in his budget speech that he is awarding “£8.6 million of targeted funding for the Edinburgh Festivals”.
Quite what that means is up for conjecture. Who is actually receiving the money? And what is it for exactly?
The official document – the Budget Report presented in the House of Commons yesterday – shows this – suggesting a permanent home for the Fringe. (Do they know they already have one…?)
And further into the document it provides this:
So confusion reigns. It appears that there is conflation of “Edinburgh festivals” and the “Fringe”…an easy mistake to make of course – unless you are in Edinburgh.
Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, said: “This is fantastic news for Scotland. Our vibrant arts sector – with the Edinburgh Festivals at its heart – is rightly renowned internationally and makes a huge contribution to our economy and cultural landscape.
“The UK Government has consistently championed the sector, including with £97million of Covid support, and £10million for the Dunard Centre, Edinburgh’s first dedicated new space for music and the performing arts in 100 years.
“Edinburgh is a global centre for the arts and this funding will help the Festivals continue to thrive and grow for many years to come.”
[For the sake of clarity – the money for the Dunard Centre was part of the Edinburgh and South East of Scotland City Region Deal – signed in 2017.]
Scottish Conservative shadow finance and economy secretary Liz Smith MSP said: “Jeremy Hunt has delivered a budget for growth and stability which is great news for hard-pressed Scottish families.
“Scotland has also benefited from the targeted spending announced by the Chancellor, not least the £8.6million earmarked for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
“All in all, this is a welcome package for Scots. SNP ministers must pass on the Barnett Consequentials the budget has generated, so that Scots enjoy the full benefits of it.”
This statement doesn’t help much – is the funding only for the Fringe? (which to be completely correct is called the Edinburgh Festival Fringe).
Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine said ahead of the budget: “I am pleased that the Culture Secretary and Secretary of State for Scotland appear to have taken on board my comments about the importance to our economy of supporting the Festival’s recovery from covid.
“The cultural life of Edinburgh is a massive contributor to the health of not only the city’s economy, but also for Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole.
“Of course, we await the details of this reported pledge, but it is encouraging that the UK Government has listened to my calls to provide support for the city’s vital cultural sector which is so important to jobs and businesses in Edinburgh West and beyond.”
[On 23 February at House of Commons Business Questions, Ms Jardine asked the Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt: “The Edinburgh international festival is world renowned, but last year it shrank in size for the first time in seven decades. The King’s Theatre in Edinburgh, which is in a neighbouring constituency, is facing a shortfall of £9 million. Its owners have described it as being in “the last chance saloon”, and it failed to get levelling-up funding last time round. The cultural life of Edinburgh is a massive contributor to the health of the Scottish economy and the UK economy. Does the Leader of the House think it would be appropriate to make time for a debate in this House on how the UK and Scottish Governments can contribute to the future stability and wellbeing of this vital industry?”
Mother’s Day ideas…
It is Mother’s Day this weekend. There are some really good ideas to help you find something for your mum or someone who is like a mother to you over here.
And a late addition to our suggestions comes from Morrisons.
Morrisons has cut the price of its popular afternoon tea for two to just £10 in its cafés ahead of Mother’s Day.
Customers will receive a selection of sandwiches, cakes, fruit scones – complete with jam and clotted cream, and a pot of Yorkshire Tea for mums to enjoy as a tasty treat at an affordable price.
The afternoon tea is presented on a three-tier stand just as it is in hotels and upmarket restaurants to give customers a touch of luxury and make the momentous day extra special.
For those that want to dine from the comfort of their own home, the afternoon tea can also be ordered for collection from the store at a date and time that is convenient for them.
At £5 per person, the Morrisons afternoon tea is a fraction of the price of alternatives including Fortnum & Mason’s which will set diners back £75 each.*
For younger customers looking to treat mum with their pocket money, there are alternative options available including:
- toasted fruit tea cakes for £1.29
- crumpets for just £0.99
- hot drinks from £1.29.
Morrisons is committed to providing good quality food at affordable prices in its cafés and this deal follows the recent launch of a two-course set menu for just £8.99 . Morrisons is also continuing to reduce prices across its stores and has cut costs of 1,000s of products this year alone.
Chris Strong, Morrisons Café buyer, says: “Treating mum shouldn’t cost the earth, that’s why we’re helping our customers by cutting the price of our popular afternoon tea for two just in time for Mother’s Day. Customers can spoil mum with a selection of tasty sandwiches, cakes and fruit scones for just £10 – we look forward to welcoming families into our cafés to celebrate.”
The afternoon tea for two is available in all Morrisons cafés nationwide and can also be ordered for collection. To find your local café, visit:https://my.morrisons.com/storefinder/.
At Ingleby Gallery
The gallery is today launching a new exhibition at the gallery, which features work by Joel Tomlin.
THe gallery said: “It is our first time exhibiting Joel’s work. He was born in Sheffield (1969) and studied at the Chelsea School of Art, London and The University of Houston, Texas. He worked first as a Blacksmith, and later in a foundry for many years – maintaining a studio practice all the while. The work he has on display at Ingleby over the next couple of months or so includes a selection of charming wooden sculptures, which have a very handheld, very human quality to them and as such are very personal and intriguing objects.”
You can read more here and watch a video about the artist by clicking here.
Community Council
Cramond and Barnton Community Council Meeting is tonight Thursday 16 March 2023 at 7pm in the Cramond Kirk Hall. Details here.
If this is not your area then search on the Edinburgh Council website for details of a community council near you. Click here.
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