Scottish singer/songwriter PAOLO NUTINI has turned down a grant of 3,000 pounds of British taxpayers’ money, after coming under a barrage of criticism from fellow musicians.

The LAST REQUEST hitmaker applied for the grant to cover his travel costs to the South By Southwest festival in Texas later this year – but has come under fire from other groups who insist he is more than capable of financing himself.

Nutini’s management made the grant request last year, before his debut album THESE STREETS was released – it went on to sell more than 600,000 copies in the UK.

A Scottish Arts Council spokeswoman says: “While Paolo Nutini was eligible for support, we welcome his management’s decision to withdraw their funding request.

“This means the money can now be invested in emerging Scottish bands. Paolo’s career is blossoming in the UK but the US market is notoriously difficult to break.”

The Scottish Arts Council will hand grants to 10 Scottish bands attending South By Southwest in Austin.

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