The £250 'culture voucher' for Scottish teens that would help bookshops - here's how it would work

The introduction of the voucher for 16-year-olds in Scotland would follow in the footsteps of other European countries, including France, where teenagers are given €300 to spend on a variety of cultural activities.

The Cultural and Community Role of Scotland’s Bookshops report by the Booksellers’ Association also called for the Scottish Government to fund shops to provide author events for schoolchildren. The organisation said Creative Scotland should establish a dedicated budget to enable bookshops to hold writer events,

It also raised the issue of the reform of non-domestic rates to boost high streets.

The report said Scottish bookshops foster children’s literacy, promote small presses and home-grown authors, bring communities together, partner with arts groups and festivals, support charities and libraries, and champion Scots and Gaelic languages. But the document warned economic barriers prevent such bookshops from fulfilling their potential.

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A survey of 53 per cent of Scotland’s bookshops found the outlets contribute “far beyond retail”, serving as community hubs and cultural beacons whose impact is “profound, far-reaching, and growing”.

The report said the £250 voucher for 16-year-olds would mimic similar schemes in other countries. The voucher would need to be spent on events and activities, including book purchases, in Scotland, financially benefiting the arts and creative sector across the country.

In France,18-year-olds receive a €300 [£264] “culture pass” to be spent on books, art materials, musical instruments, and exhibition visits. Such a scheme is also under consideration by the new government in Ireland.

The report said a voucher would provide access to “many avenues of cultural enrichment” and would increase social mobility by giving young adults access to the arts who might not otherwise be able to take advantage of the sector.

It estimated the scheme, which it said could be implemented using the existing infrastructure of the Young Scot scheme, would cost around £15 million a year.

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The report said: “Increasing numbers of European countries, including France, Germany, Spain and Italy, are recognising the impact of access to in-person cultural experiences on young people and the wider economy.

“These countries are encouraging this access by funding Cultural Voucher programmes, with the aim of introducing teenagers and young adults to their country’s unique and rich cultural landscape, while also supporting cultural and creative industries.”

Laura McCormack, head of policy and public affairs at the Booksellers Association, said: “Bookshops are living proof that culture and community go hand in hand. This report demonstrates their vital contribution to literacy, local identity, and Scotland’s creative economy.”

Marc Lambert, chief executive of Scottish Book Trust, said: “This report is a welcome study of Scotland’s bookshops and highlights just how vital they are in supporting authors, encouraging children’s literacy, boosting an interest in Scots and Gaelic, and acting as a cornerstone of communities.

“It’s so important that they are given the right support to allow them to thrive and grow.”

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson welcomed the report, saying: “The Scottish Government places great importance on literature and booksellers have an important role to play in promoting that. Scotland’s bookshops are also cultural and social assets for the nation.”

Mr Robertson added: “We will consider the recommendations that apply to the Scottish Government and the new data provided by the report as we continue our work to create a strong, resilient culture sector that benefits everyone, right across Scotland.”