Culture Fair Work Taskforce minutes: October 2025

Attendees and apologies

Chair

Briana Pegado, Chair and Independent Creative Practitioner

Attendees

• BD Owens, President, Scottish Artists’ Union
• Ola Wojkiewicz, Executive Director, Creative Edinburgh
• Caroline Sewell, Regional Organiser, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Musician’s Union
• Marlene Curran, National Official for Scotland, Equity
• Kathryn Welch, Interim Director, Culture Counts
• Torquil Macleod, EventScotland (deputising for Marie Christie)
• Mark Geddes, Mark Geddes, Creative and Cultural Capital Strategy Manager, South of Scotland Enterprise
• Sam Gonçalves, Senior Policy Manager (Scotland), Society of Authors
• Alastair Evans, Director, Strategy and Planning, Creative Scotland 
• John Campbell, Museums Galleries Scotland (deputising for Lucy Casot)

Apologies

• Ayo Schwartz, Head of Human Resources, National Theatre of Scotland
• Paul McManus, Scotland Negotiations Official, BECTU – Prospect
• Rosie Aspinall Priest, independent – advocate for rights of freelancers/workers in creative sector
• Mairi Taylor, Executive Director, Birds of Paradise
• 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 the Chair and Update

The Chair welcomed members and provided an update on activities since the last meeting.

It was noted that a small group of members with an interest in the Fair Work Fund met in September to discuss the purpose and eligibility of the Fund in further detail.

The Chair undertook an initial discussion with the Edinburgh Futures Institute on AI and equitable approaches.

There was an acknowledgment of the news that the Irish Government’s Basic Income Scheme for Artists is to be made permanent.

Discussion of ‘Draft 2’ of the recommendations report

The Chair opened the discussion up to comments from members on the second iteration of the draft recommendations report. Members were asked to note or respond to amends made since the first iteration of the draft.

There was a discussion between the members on event licensing which recognised the autonomy of individual local authorities.

A suggestion that individual local authorities may wish to explore licensing conditionality for events via their Public Entertainment Licensing Authority role.

Members acknowledged the Verity House Agreement between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), and their respective democratic mandates.

Members noted they would require further information on licensing to feel informed about a suggested recommendation.

Artificial Intelligence

Taskforce members discussed recommendations relating to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

It was noted that any recommendation on AI should outline the issues and concerns it is causing within the culture sector. Members raised ethical concerns on the implications of AI of including: issues relating to the workforce, surveillance and copyright.

The members discussed how to shape this recommendation which included a suggested example such putting forward a recommendation for a SWOT analysis of how the Creative Industries are being impacted by AI.

It was noted that there are examples where legislation has been introduced to tackle the issue of AI. Citing the Danish Government’s proposal to change copyright law to ensure that citizens would have the right to their own body, facial features and voice in a bid to restrict AI generated deepfakes. Alongside the example in California where a law has been set out to protect actors and performers from AI replicas of their likeness or voice being used without their consent. An example was raised concerning the case of AI actor Tilly Norwood which is claimed to be taken from a likeness of a Scottish actor.

It was noted that AI is also an international issue and that copyright law is different in every country. There was an acknowledgement that there are tensions between the tech and creative sector. It was noted that the copyright and patents act should offer protection.

A concern was also raised surrounding AI uses in hiring practices.

A suggestion was made that the Taskforce could be more specific in identifying and addressing the issues surrounding AI without being too prescriptive on who or which agency should address the challenges considering the scope and scale of issues with AI are expansive and evolving. The role of addressing the recommendations surrounding AI might be determined later by the proposed Fair Work Implementation Group following the outcome of the Independent Review of Creative Scotland, as well as acknowledging the Scottish Government's overarching leadership position.

It was noted that AI is a Fair Work issue as it diminishes the work available whilst existing work is being stolen. The July – September 2025 UK Government Industrial Strategy quarterly update also highlighted issues on AI.

It was noted that AI is an evolving issue and that this should be expanded upon within the recommendations. Which could include a focus on consent, credit and remuneration in relation to AI in the culture sector.

It was noted that the UK Government requirement for creatives to opt out is no longer its preferred option and it has convened working groups – drawn from the creative and AI sectors – to come up with solutions to the issue. It was noted that an opt in as opposed to an opt out model has put the onus of the creatives.

The Chair summarised that the recommendations surrounding AI would be expanded upon and took note of members points including the value of human work and wider copyright issues.

Data and Aggregation

There was a discussion regarding data collection and aggregation within the culture sector. The Culture Strategy Action Plan was referenced in regards to action two (S2) in the strengthening chapter which outlines to develop and implement a long-term strategic approach to making improvements to the data landscape for culture, working closely with expert partners. Members noted this should be referenced within the recommendations report and provide the background for any data and aggregation recommendation.

Discussion of a Fair Work Charter

The Chair invited discussion surrounding the draft of the Fair Work Charter.

Members noted that the structuring of the Charter appeared sensible and followed the principles already discussed by the members.

A suggestion was made to include a point about progression, opportunities and retention. It was noted that the Charter should also ensure disabled artists are cited correctly and that access riders are included.

It was noted the current draft Charter has referenced workers inconsistently and that this should be amended to be coherent and consistent throughout.

A suggestion to include a reference on AI within the remit of security within this Charter was put forward.

It was suggested that the Charter should also include a point on tackling bullying and harassment as well as a mechanisms on inclusive recruitment.

There was a discussion about the Charter’s reference to an adjudication panel and a note that it’s role would be to address power dynamics as the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) relates to issues surrounding employment law.

Actions

• next iteration of the draft recommendations report to be revised with the following points: AI section to be expanded upon, options for greater conditionality with regard to public entertainment  licensing to be considered further in light of additional information, as well as references to data and aggregation
• suggestion for the Chair  to meet with the Professor of Work and Employment at the University of Glasgow, about challenges surrounding data collection
• a final meeting is to be scheduled for the Taskforce to consolidate the recommendations

References and links

• UK Government Industrial Strategy quarterly update July – September 2025 - Industrial Strategy quarterly update July to September 2025
• AI Actress Tilly Norwood - AI actress demonstrates fear over performance theft | Equity
• Culture Strategy Action Plan - A Culture Strategy for Scotland: Action Plan - gov.scot
• Verity House Agreement - Supporting documents - New Deal with Local Government – Verity House Agreement - gov.scot