Jack Gamble, director of grassroots organisation Campaign For the Arts, said: “We welcome the Scottish culture secretary’s new, ’gold-plated’ commitment to reverse £6.6 million of arts cuts next year, but imposing them this year will be hugely detrimental.”

He continued: “Creative Scotland’s reserves were meant to throw a lifeline to those unsuccessful in their next funding round. This broken promise from the Scottish government means 40% of those reserves are now gone, and that will have consequences.”

He added: “Ultimately, artists, organisations, the economy and the people of Scotland will all be worse off from this decision.”