Cabinet and ministers

The Scottish Cabinet

The Cabinet is the main decision-making body of the Scottish Government. It is made up of the First Minister, all Cabinet Secretaries, Minister for Parliamentary Business and Permanent Secretary. The Lord Advocate may also attend in his or her role as the Scottish Government’s principal legal adviser. Cabinet meetings are held weekly during Parliament in Bute House, Edinburgh, and may also be held at other times in locations throughout Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon

First Minister
John Swinney MSP

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
Humza Yousaf MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Justice
Jeane Freeman MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport
Kate Forbes MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Finance
Roseanna Cunningham MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform
Fergus Ewing MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism
Michael Russell MSP

Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs
Aileen Campbell MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government
Fiona Hyslop MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture
Michael Matheson MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity
Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People

Ministers

Cabinet Secretaries are supported by Ministers. Responsibilities and biographies of Ministers, including the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General (who are also the principal legal advisers to the Scottish Government), are below.