The Herald reports today that introduction of the Public Services Reform Bill-
the legislation
that would have established the financial arrangements for Creative Scotland-
will be
delayed by several months. The government cites additional instructions not
related to
Creative Scotland as the reason for the delay.

The SAU has maintained from the outset that in the interests of clarity Creative
Scotland
should not have been included in this bill and we have been vindicated. We will
use this time
to convince policy makers that Creative Scotland should be reintroduced in a
dedicated bill
focusing wholly on its remit and structure and that said bill be subject to the
full process of
parliamentary scrutiny.

We understand that during today's questions the First Minister will be asked
what action the
Scottish Government intends to take to reinstate the confidence of the arts
sector in this
country. We await the answer with great interest.