List of ministers' interests

Interests by minister

First Minister The Rt Hon Humza Yousaf MSP

7. Any other relevant interests

• The First Minister is a personal friend of Aamer Anwar, who is currently a prominent stakeholder in relation to the Covid Inquiries, where he is representing the Scottish Covid Bereaved Families.  While the First Minister takes an active role in relation to the Scottish Government’s response to the Covid inquiries, policy responsibility for the Covid Inquiries sits with the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, who will retain final decision-making authority in relation to any decisions that relate directly to matters pertaining to dealings with Mr Anwar and the Scottish Covid Bereaved Families.
• The First Minister has recused himself from any decisions relating to the fragment of stone held by the SNP thought to be part of the Stone of Destiny in order to avoid a conflict of interest between his role as a Commissioner for the Safeguarding of the Regalia and his role as Leader of the SNP.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The First Minister’s wife is a therapist.
• The First Minister’s wife owns a rental property in Dundee.
• The First Minister’s wife is a councillor. The First Minister has taken steps to recuse himself from any decisions relating to Ward 3 in Dundee City Council.
• The First Minister’s wife, Nadia El-Nakla, attended a “United for Peace in Palestine” summit of leaders’ spouses which called for a ceasefire in Istanbul on 15 November 2023, at the invitation of the first lady of Turkey, Emine Erdoğan.  The costs of Ms El-Nakla’s travel and local costs were met by the Turkish Government.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robison MSP

7. Any other relevant interests

The Deputy First Minister:

• has recused herself from any government decisions regarding the Dundee (Airport) to London PSO route given her constituency interests. The Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance has assumed Ministerial responsibility for such decisions

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance MSP

6. Charities

• The Cabinet Secretary is Honorary President of the West Lothian Family History Society.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• HM Prison Addiewell is in the Cabinet Secretary’s Parliamentary Constituency.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Cabinet Secretary’s husband has a registered company which owns property, one of which the Cabinet Secretary uses periodically at weekends or during recess.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth MSP

1. Financial Interests

• The Cabinet Secretary has a teacher’s pension and has therefore recused herself from Ministerial decision making on changes to the employee contribution rate structure in the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest, even though her own pension will not be affected by this decision. This decision will be taken by Mr Arthur, the Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Cabinet Secretary is a registered teacher with the General Teaching Council for Scotland although does not currently wish to teach. Local arrangements have been put in place so that papers on GTCS registration will be sent to another Minister should any matters arise.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Cabinet Secretary’s wife is a member of the Oversight Board of “The Promise”. Policy responsibility for The Promise sits primarily with the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, Ms Don, who in turn reports directly to the First Minister. Oversight, and any Cabinet Secretary-level sign-off required in relation to funding, will be provided by the Deputy First Minister. 
• The Cabinet Secretary’s wife is a Professor at the University of Glasgow and Associate Director at the Centre for Public Policy there.
• The Cabinet Secretary’s wife is a member of the Economic and Social Research Council’s strategic advisory network, which provides advice on what research should be funded in UK Higher Education institutions.
• A close family member of the Cabinet Secretary is a teacher. 

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon MSP

6. Charities

• The Cabinet Secretary is a trustee of Brechin Buccaneers.

Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care Neil Gray MSP

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• Declaration of interests being reviewed following reshuffle.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP

7. Any Other Relevant Interests
The Minister has:

• campaigned in support of works to link the M8 with Falkirk and Grangemouth A801 (Avon Gorge) and will recuse herself from Government decisions on this issue.
• campaigned in support of Newton village on long-standing speed, volume and type of traffic using the village rather than the M9 route to and from the Queensferry Crossing and will recuse herself from Government decisions on this issue.
• campaigned in support of Park and Ride at the new junction 4A on the M8 at the Heartlands to reduce car commuting and transfer to bus into cities and will recuse herself from Government decisions on this issue.
• campaigned in support of Park and Ride at new junction in Winchburgh to reduce car commuting and transfer to bus into cities and will recuse herself from Government decisions on this issue.
• been a long standing campaigner in support of the train station planned for Winchburgh and will recuse herself from Government decisions on this issue.
• been active in representing constituency concerns in the previous Air Space expansion plans for Edinburgh Airport and is currently representing constituents concerns about the airports latest proposals to expand its airspace. She will recuse herself from Government decisions on this and related issues
• recused herself from any Government decision-making in relation to McGill’s Buses' plans to withdraw bus services from West Lothian, given her constituency interests.  The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition has assumed Ministerial responsibility for such decisions

Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Mairi McAllan MSP

6. Charities

• The Cabinet Secretary is a member of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Cabinet Secretary’s husband is a farmer. The farm has from time to time been approached in respect of marginal aspects of surrounding local renewable energy projects. The Cabinet Secretary has no role in the partnership nor in the day-to-day running of the farm.

9. Relationships with the Government of Close Acquaintances or Advisers

• A close family member is a senior Scottish Government Official currently holding post of Director of Covid Recovery and Public Service Reform. There is no direct overlap between the responsibilities of the Cabinet Secretary and her close family member. 

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP

2. Directorships and Shareholdings

• The Cabinet Secretary is Managing Director of both ASCR Ltd and Progress Scotland Ltd and is sole shareholder in both companies.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Cabinet Secretary recognises that within the Culture Portfolio there is a heavy concentration of cultural venues, organisations and festivals in the Edinburgh Central constituency.
• The Cabinet Secretary engages with the Edinburgh Festivals, for example attending performances, and as regards the work they do for international cultural links, but has recused himself on decisions on support for the Edinburgh Festivals.
• The Cabinet Secretary recused himself from decisions about the Centre for Moving Image (CMI) and the future of the Filmhouse once it became clear that the CMI was entering into administration given his constituency interests.
• The Cabinet Secretary recused himself from decision making on further funding support for the redevelopment of the King’s Theatre given his constituency interests.
• The Cabinet Secretary meets with the national collections (National Galleries, National Library, National Museums) which have their main operations in Edinburgh Central. This is in the context of their broader contribution to cultural policy. He has recused himself from day to day decisions about the collections, on for example funding and Board appointments.
• The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, leads on all the issues that Mr Robertson has recused himself from.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Cabinet Secretary’s wife is the Managing Director of a PR company Spey which has a significant number of clients in the food and drink sector. The Cabinet Secretary recused himself from Ministerial decision making in relation to his portfolio’s policy interests in the alcohol industry (in light of the Scottish Government’s consultation on alcohol advertising and promotion) given his wife’s public relations company represents alcohol brands. 
• The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, leads on this issue.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Cabinet Secretary’s spouse works for Citizens Advice Scotland and is a board member for MND Scotland.
• The Cabinet Secretary has recused herself from financial decisions which directly benefit Citizens Advice Scotland. The Minister for Housing, Mr McLennan, has portfolio responsibility for matters relating to welfare and debt advice services. Oversight, and any Cabinet Secretary-level sign-off required in relation to funding, will be provided by the Deputy First Minister. 

Minister for Parliamentary Business George Adam MSP

6. Charities

• The Minister is Honorary President of Paisley Pirates.
• The Minister is a Patron of the Scottish Disability Equality Forum.
• The Minister is no longer Director of SMISA (St Mirren Independent Supporters Association) but is still a member.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Minister’s wife is a Patron for Friends at the End (FATE).

Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance Tom Arthur MSP

2. Directorships and Shareholdings

• The Minister owns a £1 share in Barrhead Housing Association, who are involved in delivering participatory budgeting in East Renfrewshire.

6. Charities

• The Minister is a member of the RSPB.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Minister owns a £1 share in Barrhead Housing Association, who are involved in delivering participatory budgeting in East Renfrewshire.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• Extended family members own a residential property and associated land on the Island of South Uist. The property is primarily a holiday let however is also occasionally used as a private residence to which the Minister and his wife have use. The property and land are situated within a designated National Scenic Area.

Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown MSP

The Minister confirmed that they had no relevant interests to declare.

Minister for Higher and Further Education, and Minister for Veterans Graeme Dey MSP

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• Mr Dey’s wife works in the college sector.
• A close family member is a serving Firefighter.
• A close family member is an actress who on occasion works for the Scottish Government funded National Theatre of Scotland and teaches part-time at the Royal Conservatoire Of Scotland.

Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise Natalie Don MSP

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Minister was a local authority councillor for Renfrewshire Council from 2017 to 2022
• The Minister’s children attend a private nursery

Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP

Relevant declarations of interests to be confirmed.

Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning Joe FitzPatrick MSP

The Minister confirmed that they had no relevant interests to declare.

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants Rights Patrick Harvie MSP

4. Sponsorship

• The Minister received a donation of £500 toward election expenses for the 2021 Scottish Parliament election from the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.  The Minister is an Associate Member of the National Union of Journalists.

9. Relationships with the Government of Close Acquaintances or Advisers

• The Minister is a friend and former employer of an individual whose work involves lobbying the Scottish Government on behalf of clients.

10. Compliance with Legal Obligations

• The Minister has previously taken part in a number of non violent direct action protests and has once been convicted of breach of the peace in relation to such a protest.

Minister for Independence Jamie Hepburn MSP

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Minister’s wife works for the Scottish National Party.

Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade Richard Lochhead MSP

6. Charities

• The Minister is Honorary President of Tomintoul and Glenlivet Bowling Club.

Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work Gillian Martin MSP

3. Heritable Property

• The Minister has ownership of a one bedroom holiday cottage in Moray coast which is for family use only.

Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy Christina McKelvie MSP

9. Relationships with the Government of Close Acquaintances or Advisers

• The Minister’s partner is Keith Brown MSP.

Minister for Housing Paul McLennan MSP

3. Heritable Property

• The Minister has a joint mortgage over a property in Dunbar which is let out to in laws.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Minister’s partner works for Standard Life as Head of Relationship Management.
• A close family member works for Standard Life as a Portfolio Analyst.

Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto MSP

6. Charities

• The Minister is a trustee of the Museum of Islay Life.

9. Relationships with the Government of Close Acquaintances or Advisers

• An extended family member is a civil servant working in the Scottish Government.
• An extended family member works in the Scottish Government Legal Directorate.
• An extended family member works for a Health Board.

Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees Emma Roddick MSP

6. Charities

• The Minister is a Community Reserve Volunteer with the British Red Cross.
• The Minister is a Member of Republic.
• The Minister is a Member of Our Republic.
• The Minister is a Member of the UK Metric Association.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Minister is a Member of Highland Pride Community Group (also regional interest).
• The Minister is a Friend of Eden Court Theatre.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• A close family member is a carer.

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Lorna Slater MSP

The Minister confirmed that they had no relevant interests to declare.

Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development Kaukab Stewart MSP

Relevant declarations of interests to be confirmed.

Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd MSP

6. Charities

• The Minister is a Patron of the John O’Groat Trail.
• The Minister is Vice President of Friends of the Far North Line.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Minister is a Registered member of the General Pharmaceutical Council.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Minister’s husband is a Trustee at Tiny Changes; a Non-Executive Director at New Start Scotland; a Non-Executive Director at Community Land Scotland Limited; a Non Executive Director at Aban Outdoor Limited; and he volunteers at Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland.

9. Relationships with the Government of Close Acquaintances or Advisers

• A close family friend is Head of Innovation at Albyn Housing Society.

Lord Advocate Rt Hon Dorothy Bain KC

1. Financial Interests

• The Lord Advocate’s outstanding income as an advocate has been declared in the Scottish Parliament’s register of interests.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Lord Advocate is a Member of Faculty of Advocates.

8. Interests of Spouse, Partner or Close Family Member

• The Lord Advocate’s spouse is a Senator of the College of Justice. He is no longer involved in any criminal proceedings to avoid the risk of any perception of a conflict of interest.

Solicitor General Ruth Charteris KC

5. Public Appointments

• The Solicitor General was Chair of the Fitness to Practise Panel of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) (now resigned).

6. Charities

• The Solicitor General is a member of Dowanvale Free Church of Scotland.
• The Solicitor General is a member of the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship.

7. Any Other Relevant Interests

• The Solicitor General is a former member of the Scottish Swimming Complaints Panel.