John Swinney formed the Swinney government on 8 May 2024, following his appointment as First Minister of Scotland at the Court of Session.[1]
Swinney government | |
|---|---|
 12th Government of Scotland | |
 Swinney's cabinet outside Bute 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 |
History
editOn 29 April 2024, Humza Yousaf announced his intention to resign the leadership of the Scottish National Party, and as First Minister.[2] Swinney announced his candidacy for the internal leadership contest, and was elected unopposed.[3] Shona Robison resigned as Deputy First Minister on 8 May in favour of Kate Forbes, but was re-appointed as Swinney's Finance 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 as Deputy First Minister of Scotland, and taking part of Màiri McAllan's responsibility for economy into her portfolio as Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic.[6] Robison was, however, re-appointed by Swinney as Finance Secretary with additional responsibility for local government, with McAllan appointed as the reduced portfolio of Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy.[7]
Additionally, only one new junior minister joined Swinney's government, former minister Ivan McKee, with the number of junior ministerial posts being reduced from 16 to 14. The portfolio of Minister for Employment and Investment was created, with Tom Arthur appointed to the role. The ministers for independence and culture were abolished, with their incumbents Jamie Hepburn and Kaukab Stewart moved to other positions. Joe FitzPatrick's local government position was abolished, and he therefore departed government along with Equalities Minister Emma Roddick and Parliamentary Business Minister George Adam.[8]
The Scottish Parliament formally approved the appointments of Kate Forbes and Ivan McKee on 9 May 2024.[9][10]
Prior to Swinney's appointment, it was announced in February 2024 that Màiri McAllan would be taking maternity leave.[11] From 1 July 2024, McAllan will begin her maternity leave, where Gillian Martin will be appointed as Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, and Alasdair Allan will be appointed as Acting Minister for Climate Action.[12]
Cabinet
editMay 2024 – present
edit
List of junior ministers
editMay 2024 to present
edit|
Junior ministers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post | Minister | Term | ||
| Minister for Parliamentary Business | Jamie Hepburn MSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Employment and Investment | Tom Arthur MSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Public Finance | Ivan McKee MSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Public Health and Women's Health | Jenni Minto MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport | Maree Todd MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise | Natalie Don MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Higher and Further Education | Graeme Dey MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Business | Richard Lochhead MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Climate Action[e] | Gillian Martin MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy | Christina McKelvie MSP | 2024-present | ||
| Minister for Equalities | Kaukab Stewart MSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Housing | Paul McLennan MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Victims and Community Safety | Siobhian Brown MSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity | Jim Fairlie MSP | 2024-present | ||
Scottish law officers
edit|
Law officers[13] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Post | Name | Portrait | Term |
| Lord Advocate | The Rt Hon. Dorothy Bain KC | 
|
2021–present |
| Solicitor General for Scotland | Ruth Charteris KC | 
|
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. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
{{cite news}}:|last2=has generic name (help) - ^ "SNP leader Humza Yousaf resigns as Scotland's first minister". BBC News. 2024-04-28. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ Brooks, Libby; correspondent, Libby Brooks Scotland (2024-05-06). "John Swinney declares 'new chapter' as he becomes SNP leader". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
{{cite news}}:|last2=has generic name (help) - ^ "Deputy First Minister stands down". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "New Scottish Cabinet". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "Deputy First Minister stands down". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "New Scottish Cabinet". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "Full ministerial team confirmed". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Appointment of a Scottish Minister". www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Appointment of a Junior Scottish Minister". www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Kendix, Lauren Gilmour, Max (2024-06-27). "I'll be back, says Mairi McAllan as she announces pregnancy". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Màiri McAllan maternity cover". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ "Law Officer appointments - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2021-06-19.