Culture Fair Work Taskforce minutes: November 2025

Attendees and apologies

Meeting 1

• Ayo Schwartz, Head of Human Resources, National Theatre of Scotland
• Kathryn Welch, Director: Network, Projects and Partnerships Culture Counts
• Sam Gonçalves, Senior Policy Manager (Scotland), Society of Authors
• Ola Wojkiewicz, Executive Director, Creative Edinburgh
• Marlene Curran, National Official for Scotland, Equity

Meeting 2

• Marie Christie, Head of Development, EventScotland
• Paul McManus,  BECTU – Prospect
• Alastair Evans, Director, Strategy and Planning, Creative Scotland 
• BD Owens, President, Scottish Artists’ Union
• John Campbell (deputising for Lucy Casot at Museums, Galleries Scotland)
• Mairi Taylor, Executive Director, Birds of Paradise

Apologies (members unable to make either final meeting):

• Rosie Aspinall Priest, independent – advocate for rights of freelancers/workers in creative sector
• Mark Geddes, Creative and Cultural Capital Strategy Manager, South of Scotland Enterprise
• Iain Hamilton, Head of Creative Industries, Highlands and Islands Enterprise
• Caroline Sewell, Regional Organiser, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Musician’s Union
• Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director, Scottish Music Industry Association
• Jane Muirhead, Chair of Pact Council, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Raise the Roof Productions
• Lindsey Ross, Director of People, Historic Environment Scotland
• Stephanie Colgan, Head of HR, Glasgow Life

Items and actions

Welcome from Chair

The Chair provided members with two final meeting options to discuss the same agenda: these two options were to enable greater availability for as many members as possible to attend a final meeting. The meeting note is therefore a combined version of the discussion on the same agenda and recommendations report reviewed at both these separate meetings.

The Chair drew attention towards this iteration of the recommendations report which was circulated prior to these meetings.

Discussion of the latest draft version of recommendations report

Artificial Intelligence

The group discussed the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the environment and noted that this impact should also be acknowledged within the recommendations report.

Members discussed how AI could be considered further by the proposed delivery group, who could be provided with guidance for how to potentially monitor the impacts of AI, of which environmental factors could be included.

It was also noted that AI could also be referenced in the Fair Work Charter.

The current iteration of the report cites as examples some distinctions in international copyright laws and AI. It was noted that further clarity on the ‘opt-in’ and ‘opt-out’ models surrounding AI engagement could be more clearly defined.

Freelance Commission

Members discussed the proposed approach of recommending a Freelance Commission and Freelancer Commissioner.

It was noted that the Commission, Freelancer Commissioner and delivery group would have different roles. With the proposed Freelance Commissioner as a statutory office holder, similar either to the Veterans Commissioner or a full Parliamentary Office Holder.

Whereas the Commission would take a strategic role in looking at issues that impact freelancers in the creative industries, it was noted that a Freelancer Commissioner would be for Parliament/SPCB to appoint and would require legislation which would take time.

Members acknowledged that other areas could benefit from a Freelance Commission but noted that this recommendation could place the sector as a leader for which other areas could learn from as an example.

Some members queried the distinction between a proposed Freelance Commissioner and the UK Government Creative Industries Sector plan proposal for a Creative Freelance Champion. It was noted that they would have a different status with the distinction being that the proposed Freelancer Commissioner would have a statutory role, would report to the Scottish Parliament and be supported by the SPCB.  The UK Government proposal for a Creative Freelance Champion would appear to be a member of the UK DCMS-led Creative Industries Council.

The delivery group would be tasked with delivery of the Task Force’s recommendations.

Licensing

Members reviewed and noted they were content with the wording surrounding the recommendation regarding the exploration of entertainment licensing.

Basic Income

There was a discussion on the Irish Government’s Basic Income for Artists pilot in which members considered how learning from this Irish Government pilot could assist with exploration of how such a model may be considered within Scotland.

Funding in the culture sector was noted as an ongoing challenge. It was noted that the Joseph Rowntree Foundation outlined salary figures for pay required to survive in the United Kingdom - and that creative workers are falling below this.

Members noted that discussing Universal Basic Income was beyond the remit of this group which was tasked to focus on creatives and the culture sector.  

It was noted that there are areas alongside culture where Basic Income could also be valuable. Members agreed to proposing a recommendation for exploration of a pilot for Basic Income for creatives. It was noted that this recommendation could provide a model for a case for Basic Income other sectors.

AOB

It was noted that the next stages would be to proceed with finalising the recommendations report in preparation for the report to be presented to Scottish Ministers and publication.

Actions

• Updated draft of the Fair Work Charter to be circulated to the members for final review and input.
• Members to receive final iteration of recommendations report for official sign-off.

References and links

• Joseph Rowntree Foundation: A Minimum Income Standard for the United Kingdom in 2024
• The Government of Ireland, Department for Culture, Communications and Sport - Basic Income for the Arts pilot produced over €100 million in Social and Economic Benefits
• Creative UK sets out role for freelance champion