List of ministers' interests
The Ministerial Code states: ministers must ensure that no conflict arises, or could reasonably be perceived to arise, between their public duties and their private interests, financial or otherwise.
Introduction
The Scottish Ministerial Code (Part B, chapter 3) sets standards for how ministers handle their private interests.
Ministers must make sure no conflict of interest arises, or could reasonably be seen to arise, between their public duties and private interests. This applies throughout their time in office.
Each minister is personally responsible for deciding what action to take, based on advice from the Permanent Secretary and Cabinet Secretariat.
Declaring interests
When ministers take up a new post, they must give the Permanent Secretary a full written declaration of private interests that could cause a conflict. This includes interests held by their spouse, partner or close family members.
Ministers must also confirm whether they know of any close acquaintances or advisers with a government contract or involvement in policy development.
Where a minister keeps an interest, they may need to take steps to manage any conflict, such as being recused from related decisions (paragraphs 3.9 to 3.12).
Reviewing the list
Each minister's declared interests are published within a reasonable time after their appointment, in line with freedom of information and data protection law.
Every summer recess, the Cabinet Secretariat reminds ministers to review their interests and raise any conflicts. The published list is reviewed at least annually, but ministers must tell the Permanent Secretary as soon as anything changes, and the list is updated promptly once agreed.
Since 2024, the First Minister's Independent Advisers have also played a role in providing assurance about the process the Cabinet Secretariat follows to help ministers manage their interests.
What the list includes
This is not a full register of interests. It would be unreasonable, and overly intrusive, to include every detail about ministers and their families. Instead, the list covers interests, including close family interests, that are or could be seen as directly relevant to a minister's role. It also lists any charities where a minister is a trustee, patron or member.
Personal information about third parties, and any financial information ministers share, is kept confidential and will not be released without permission.
Read all ministers’ list entries alongside the relevant MSP's Register of Interests.
Freedom of information requests
Information on ministers' private interests can still be requested under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).
Each request is considered individually. Information may be withheld if it's already public (for example, in a minister's declaration or their MSP Register of Interests) or if releasing it would breach data protection principles under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA.
Contact
Email: ContactUs@gov.scot