Swinney government
Swinney government | |
|---|---|
 12th Government of Scotland | |
.jpg) Swinney's cabinet outside Bute House, 2024 | |
| Date formed | 8 May 2024 |
| People and organisations | |
| Monarch | Charles III |
| First Minister | John Swinney |
| Deputy First Minister | Kate Forbes |
| Member parties | |
| Status in legislature | Minority 63 / 129 (49%) |
| Opposition cabinet | Opposition Parties |
| Opposition party | |
| Opposition leader | Douglas Ross |
| History | |
| Election(s) | 2024 Scottish National Party leadership election |
| Legislature term(s) | 6th Scottish Parliament |
| Predecessor | Second Yousaf government |
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Leader of the Scottish National Party Incumbent Cabinet positions (2007-2023)
First Minister of Scotland (2024-present)
.svg) |
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John Swinney formed the Swinney government on 8 May 2024, following his appointment as first minister of Scotland at the Court of Session.[1]
History[edit]
On 29 April 2024, Humza Yousaf announced his intention to resign the leadership of the Scottish National Party, and as First Minister.[2] Swinney announced his candidacy for the internal leadership contest, and was elected unopposed.[3] Shona Robison resigned as Deputy First Minister on 8 May in favour of Kate Forbes, but was re-appointed as Swinney's Finance Secretary with additional responsibility for local government.[4][5]
The majority of Swinney's cabinet was previously part of Humza Yousaf's previous governments. The only addition to the cabinet was Kate Forbes replacing Shona Robinson as Deputy First Minister of Scotland, and taking part of Màiri McAllan's responsibility for economy into her portfolio as Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic.[6] Robinson was, however, re-appointed by Swinney as Finance Secretary with additional responsibility for local government, with McAllan appointed as the reduced portfolio of Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy.[7]
Additionally, only one new junior minister joined Swinney's government, former minister Ivan McKee, with the number of junior ministerial posts being reduced from 16 to 14. The portfolio of Minister for Employment and Investment was created, with Tom Arthur appointed to the role. The ministers for independence and culture were abolished, with their incumbents Jamie Hepburn and Kaukab Stewart moved to other positions. Joe FitzPatrick's local government position was abolished, and he therefore departed government along with Equalities Minister Emma Roddick and Parliamentary Business Minister George Adam.
The Scottish Parliament formally approved the appointments of Kate Forbes and Ivan McKee on 9 May 2024.
Cabinet[edit]
May 2024 - present[edit]
| Portfolio | Portrait | Minister | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet secretaries | |||
| First Minister | _(cropped).jpg)
|
John Swinney MSP | May 2024–present |
| Deputy First Minister | _(cropped).jpg)
|
Kate Forbes MSP | May 2024–present |
| Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic | |||
| Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government | .jpg)
|
Shona Robison MSP | May 2024–present[a] |
| Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care | .jpg)
|
Neil Gray MSP | February 2024–present[b] |
| Cabinet Secretary for Transport | .jpg)
|
Fiona Hyslop MSP | February 2024–present |
| Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy | .jpg)
|
Màiri McAllan MSP | February 2024–present[c] |
| Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills | .jpg)
|
Jenny Gilruth MSP | 2023–present |
| Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands | .jpg)
|
Mairi Gougeon MSP | 2021–present |
| Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture | .jpg)
|
The Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP | 2021–present |
| Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice | .jpg)
|
Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP | 2023–present |
| Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs | .jpg)
|
Angela Constance MSP | 2023–present |
List of junior ministers[edit]
May 2024 to present[edit]
Junior ministers[edit] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post | Minister | Term | ||
| Minister for Parliamentary Business | Jamie Hepburn MSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Employment and Investment | Tom Arthur MSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Public Finance | Ivan McKee MSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Public Health and Women's Health | Jenni Minto MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport | Maree Todd MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise | Natalie Don MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Higher and Further Education | Graeme Dey MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Business | Richard Lochhead MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Climate Action | Gillian Martin MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy | Christina McKelvie MSP | 2024-present | ||
| Minister for Equalities | Kaukab Stewart MSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Housing | Paul McLennan MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Victims and Community Safety | Siobhian Brown MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity | Jim Fairlie MSP | 2024-present | ||
Scottish law officers[edit]
Law officers[8][edit] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Post | Name | Portrait | Term |
| Lord Advocate | The Rt Hon. Dorothy Bain KC | 
|
2021–present |
| Solicitor General for Scotland | Ruth Charteris KC | 
|
2021–present |
Notes[edit]
- ^ Robison previously held the Finance portfolio since March 2023 but gained the additional portfolio of Local Government in May 2024
- ^ Portfolio was titled Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care until 8 May 2024
- ^ McAllan had additional responsibility for the Economy until this was shuffled to Kate Forbes on 8 May 2024
References[edit]
- ^ Brooks, Libby; correspondent, Libby Brooks Scotland (2024-05-07). "John Swinney to become Scottish first minister after vote by MSPs". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "SNP leader Humza Yousaf resigns as Scotland's first minister". BBC News. 2024-04-28. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ Brooks, Libby; correspondent, Libby Brooks Scotland (2024-05-06). "John Swinney declares 'new chapter' as he becomes SNP leader". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "Deputy First Minister stands down". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "New Scottish Cabinet". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "Deputy First Minister stands down". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "New Scottish Cabinet". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "Law Officer appointments - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2021-06-19.