The Scottish Government is set to confirm its financial support for the V&A at Dundee despite unprecedented cuts to public spending.
Finance Secretary John Swinney will reiterate commitment to the flagship project as he unveils the SNP administration’s three-year spending plans.
The contribution towards the ambitious proposal to bring a branch of the world-famous museum to the city will likely be one of the few major capital projects contained in the tightest budget for a generation.
But it is understood the potential benefits of the project to both Dundee and Scotland more widely have convinced ministers that the investment is worthwhile.
The news will allow the V&A team to concentrate on pursuing the remainder of the £45 million funding required to make Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s vision a reality.
It has long been hoped the Scottish Government would provide around a third of that amount, with a similar sum required from statutory bodies such as lottery funding, and a final third from private backers.
The announcement may not contain a precise figure and timetable for the government support, but will make clear the government’s intention to ensure the project can continue.
Fundraising professional Sandy Richardson, who previously worked for National Museums Scotland, was appointed earlier this month to co-ordinate the efforts.’Difficult times’Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop unveiled initial government funding of £4.8 million on a visit to Duncan of Jordanstone art college in Dundee in January.
She described the announcement as a “down payment” on the project, with Perthshire North MSP Mr Swinney promising “significant” further funds would be released at a later date.
With construction due to start next year for an opening date in early 2015, Mr Swinney would be required to confirm the remainder of the money in the three-year spending plan to meet the tight building schedule.
Dundee’s two SNP MSPs, Joe FitzPatrick and Shona Robison, have issued a joint statement saying they were “very confident” the government would continue to support the V&A.
They said: “These are very difficult times for public finances but the V&A at Dundee has the potential to transform the city and bring very real benefits to the wider region and Scotland as a whole.
“We know that this has been recognised by the Scottish Government through their support for the project and we are very confident that this support will continue.
“It is in these very challenging times that visionary and bold investment decisions are most needed to stimulate the economy and create new employment opportunities.
“We are already seeing a high level of interest from potential investors on the back of the V&A at Dundee project. This is an opportunity which we must seize for our city.”Team arrivesThe V&A at Dundee is being delivered by Design Dundee Ltd, a partnership between the Victoria and Albert Museum, Dundee City Council, Dundee and Abertay universities and Scottish Enterprise.
The building will be at Craig Harbour on the banks of the Tay and create 50 to 60 full-time jobs.
An economic impact assessment of the project estimated that the V&A at Dundee will lead to 300 further jobs in Scotland by 2019/20, with more created during construction.
A team of architects from Mr Kuma’s Tokyo practice arrived in Scotland earlier this month to begin work.
Mr Swinney said his budget in 2014-15 will be £3.3bn lower in real terms than 2010-11.