First Minister appoints Cabinet to deliver for Scotland
FM: “Government will be focused on people’s priorities.”
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney has appointed his new Cabinet, unveiling a streamlined team of Cabinet Secretaries to deliver on the things that matter most to the people of Scotland.
Comprising eight Cabinet Secretaries, including the Deputy First Minister, the First Minister has said his Cabinet will focus on the priorities of the people, including supporting people through the cost of living crisis, ensuring easier access to the NHS and delivering a fresh start with independence.
The focused and streamlined Cabinet will include the first ever Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform, who will lead cross-government work to ensure public services are responsive to the needs of the people of Scotland.
Responsibility for independence and the constitution will now sit directly with the First Minister.
The Cabinet, which is made up of a majority of women, consists of:
- Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Jenny Gilruth
- Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform Ivan McKee
- Cabinet Secretary for Justice Neil Gray
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care Angela Constance
- Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs Gillian Martin
- Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic Màiri McAllan
- Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing Shirley-Anne Somerville
- Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn
First Minister John Swinney said:
“I am immensely proud to appoint this Cabinet with the experience, energy and drive to deliver on the mandate given to us by the people of Scotland. This will be a Scottish Government working for Scotland.
“As a leaner, more agile government, our full focus will be on delivering on the things that matter most to the people of Scotland, including supporting people with the cost of living crisis, ensuring easier access to the NHS and delivering a fresh start with independence.
“This new team will hit the ground running, delivering major progress on our priorities within the first 100 days, before continuing to deliver on the emphatic mandate given to us by the people of Scotland.
“This team of Cabinet Secretaries will bring experience, drive and a determination to deliver for Scotland – and this government will work harder than ever to repay the trust that people have placed in us.”
Background
Excluding Law Officers, the new Cabinet of nine, including the First Minister, is down from twelve before the election.
Individuals who are newly appointed to Cabinet will be Cabinet Secretaries-designate until their appointment is formally agreed to by Parliament and approved by His Majesty King Charles III.
Other ministerial appointments will be announced in due course.
Parliament will be asked to approve the new Cabinet appointments on Thursday.