Swinney government
Swinney government | |
|---|---|
 12thGovernmentof Scotland | |
 Swinney's cabinet outsideBute 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 62 / 129 (48%) |
| Opposition cabinet | Opposition Parties |
| Opposition party | |
| Opposition leader | Douglas Ross(until September 2024) Russell Findlay(September 2024–present) |
| History | |
| Legislature term | 6th Scottish Parliament |
| Predecessor | Second Yousaf government |
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Leader of theScottish National Party Incumbent Cabinet positions (2007–2023)
First Minister of Scotland(2024–present)
 |
||
John Swinneyformed theSwinney governmenton 8 May 2024, following his appointment asfirst minister of Scotlandat theCourt of Session.[1]
History
[edit]On 29 April 2024,Humza Yousafannounced his intention to resignthe leadership of the Scottish National Party,and as First Minister.[2]Swinney announced his candidacy for theinternal leadership contest,and was elected unopposed.[3]Shona Robisonresigned as Deputy First Minister on 8 May in favour ofKate Forbes,but was re-appointed as Swinney'sFinance 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 Robison asDeputy First Minister of Scotland,and taking part ofMàiri McAllan'sresponsibility for economyinto her portfolio asCabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic.[6]Robison was, however, re-appointed by Swinney asFinance Secretary with additional responsibility for local government,with McAllan appointed as the reduced portfolio ofCabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy.[7]
Additionally, only one new junior minister joined Swinney's government, former ministerIvan McKee,with the number of junior ministerial posts being reduced from 16 to 14. The portfolio ofMinister for Employment and Investmentwas created, withTom Arthurappointed to the role. The ministers forindependenceandculturewere abolished, with their incumbentsJamie HepburnandKaukab Stewartmoved to other positions.Joe FitzPatrick'slocal governmentposition was abolished, and he therefore departed government along withEqualities MinisterEmma RoddickandParliamentary Business MinisterGeorge Adam.[8]
TheScottish Parliamentformally approved the appointments ofKate ForbesandIvan McKeeon 9 May 2024.[9][10]
Prior to Swinney's appointment, it was announced in February 2024 thatMàiri McAllanwould be taking maternity leave.[11]From 1 July 2024, McAllan will begin her maternity leave, whereGillian Martinwill be appointed as Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, andAlasdair Allanwill be appointed as Acting Minister for Climate Action.[12]
Cabinet
[edit]May 2024 – present
[edit]
List of junior ministers
[edit]May 2024 to present
[edit]|
Junior ministers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post | Minister | Term | ||
| Minister for Parliamentary Business | Jamie HepburnMSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Employment and Investment | Tom ArthurMSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Public Finance | Ivan McKeeMSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Public Health and Women's Health | Jenni MintoMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport | Maree ToddMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise | Natalie DonMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Higher and Further Education | Graeme DeyMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Business | Richard LochheadMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Climate Action[e] | Gillian MartinMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy | Christina McKelvieMSP | 2024-present | ||
| Minister for Equalities | Kaukab StewartMSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Housing | Paul McLennanMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Victims and Community Safety | Siobhian BrownMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity | Jim FairlieMSP | 2024-present | ||
Scottish law officers
[edit]|
Law officers[13] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Post | Name | Portrait | Term |
| Lord Advocate | The Rt Hon.Dorothy BainKC | 
|
2021–present |
| Solicitor General for Scotland | Ruth CharterisKC | 
|
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 from 8 February 2024 to 8 May 2024
- ^McAllan had additional responsibility for the Economy from 8 February 2024 until this was shuffled to Kate Forbes on 8 May 2024
- ^McAllan is currently on maternity leave, with Gillian Martin filling the role in an acting capacity
- ^Currently also Acting Cabinet Secretary for New Zero and Energy whilst incumbent Màiri McAllan is on maternity leave
References
[edit]- ^Brooks, Libby; correspondent, Libby Brooks Scotland (2024-05-07)."John Swinney to become Scottish first minister after vote by MSPs".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved2024-05-08.
{{cite news}}:|last2=has generic name (help) - ^"SNP leader Humza Yousaf resigns as Scotland's first minister".BBC News.2024-04-28.Retrieved2024-05-08.
- ^Brooks, Libby; correspondent, Libby Brooks Scotland (2024-05-06)."John Swinney declares 'new chapter' as he becomes SNP leader".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved2024-05-08.
{{cite news}}:|last2=has generic name (help) - ^"Deputy First Minister stands down".www.gov.scot.Retrieved2024-05-08.
- ^"New Scottish Cabinet".www.gov.scot.Retrieved2024-05-08.
- ^"Deputy First Minister stands down".www.gov.scot.Retrieved2024-05-08.
- ^"New Scottish Cabinet".www.gov.scot.Retrieved2024-05-08.
- ^"Full ministerial team confirmed".www.gov.scot.Retrieved2024-05-10.
- ^"Appointment of a Scottish Minister".www.parliament.scot.Retrieved2024-05-10.
- ^"Appointment of a Junior Scottish Minister".www.parliament.scot.Retrieved2024-05-10.
- ^Kendix, Lauren Gilmour, Max (2024-06-27)."I'll be back, says Mairi McAllan as she announces pregnancy".www.thetimes.com.Retrieved2024-06-27.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^"Màiri McAllan maternity cover".www.gov.scot.Retrieved2024-06-27.
- ^"Law Officer appointments - gov.scot".www.gov.scot.Retrieved2021-06-19.