Paolo Nutini, Biffy Clyro and other stars warn Swinney of ‘cultural catastrophe’

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Some of Scotland’s best-known music acts including Paolo Nutini, Biffy Clyro and Franz Ferdinand have warned John Swinney that the country is facing a “cultural catastrophe” due to cuts in arts funding. In an open letter to the First Minister, more than 170 music industry figures say the closure of a Creative Scotland fund has sparked “the worst crisis that Scotland’s music and wider arts sector has ever faced”. “To be truly artistic, relevant and unimpaired, art is not always commercial so government support and funding is crucial to growing a healthy arts scene, nurturing and developing new and existing talents to showcase what incredible artists Scotland can and has produced.” The campaign was organised through the Scottish Music Industry Association, a non-profit trade body. It continues: “These decisions, resulting from the Scottish Government’s inability to confirm the release of previously allocated grant-in-aid funding, have ignited the worst crisis that Scotland’s music and wider arts sector has ever faced.