Scottish Opera decision a “catastrophe” say Conservatives
The Scottish Conservative Party has said that the Executive’s restructuring plan for the organisation is a “catastrophe”.
The Scottish Executive announced on Monday that it was not prepared to increase Scottish Opera’s budget of £7.5 million a year.
Instead money would only be available for restructuring the organisation to provide a lower cost base.
Scottish Opera has long argued that its budget is too small and in January 2004 received a £4.5 million advance to cover ongoing projects.
The Executive announced yesterday that it would make £7 million available to meet restructuring costs, but Scottish Opera will be required to repay January’s advance over four years.
It is anticipated that 88 jobs will be lost, from a total staff of 208. Negotiations to lease its Glasgow theatre base to another party are also ongoing.
In a joint statement, the Scottish Executive, Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Opera said: “Given the core level of funding available, the Board has concluded that to secure its long term future it needs to reduce core costs. Regretfully this means reducing a number of posts in the company and, for a short period, main scale opera productions.
“The Scottish Opera Board is satisfied that this investment secures a basis for developing the Company in the long term.”
Scottish Conservative culture spokesman, Jamie McGrigor said: “Today, we should have received news about a rescue package that allowed Scottish opera to go forward. Instead, we got confirmation of a redundancy deal. For the second time since devolution, Scottish Opera, its staff and supporters have been cruelly let down by the Executive.”
“None of this catastrophe would have happened if the Executive had lived up to the recommendations of Sir Peter Jonas – instead it spent another £200,000 on working out how to sack people and cut Opera back.
“All of this when Scottish Opera is winning awards for its Ring production. At the same time a handful of theatre companies such as 7:84 are facing closure – all with the complicity of the Scottish Arts Council.”
