Scottish Cabinet reshuffle: Nicola Sturgeon unveils new team

Humza Yousaf has been appointed as Health Secretary, moving from the justice brief, while Kate Forbes takes on an expanded role of Finance and Economy Secretary.

Shirley-Anne Somerville becomes Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, taking forward work on Covid recovery within the education system, as well as being charged with the Government’s mission to close the attainment gap.

Former SNP depute leader and newly elected MSP for Edinburgh Central Angus Robertson is appointed as Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.

The portfolio covers constitutional policy, cross-government coordination of European and wider external relations, including post-Brexit relations.

Michael Matheson takes on a new role as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon says Scotland WILL hold indyref2 as she is re-elected as FM

The portfolio brings together cross government responsibility for coordination of Net Zero policy, encompassing transport, environmental protection, energy and COP26 delivery.

SNP deputy leader Keith Brown (below) returns to Cabinet to become the new Cabinet Secretary for Justice, with responsibility for reform of the justice system as well as work to reduce reoffending.

Former health secretary Shona Robison also makes a return to Cabinet.

She has been appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, tasked with reducing child poverty as well as work to deliver 100,000 affordable homes.  

Mairi Gougeon becomes Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands after a promotion from the junior ministerial benches where she held the public health brief since 2020.

Her new role includes responsibility for agriculture, food and drink policy, fisheries and aquaculture as well as cross-government coordination of policies for island communities.

The First Minister said: "I’m delighted to announce the Scottish Government’s new Cabinet team. Scotland needs a serious Government for the serious times we face as a nation, and in the top level ministerial line-up I have announced today we have exactly that.

“It is a Government which will drive Scotland forward, as we look to build a just, fair and sustainable recovery from the Covid pandemic.

“My Cabinet team combines experience with new arrivals and fresh faces, giving us the range and depth of talent we need to tackle the pressing issues we need to tackle, from covid to climate change.

“This term of office is unquestionably the most important one the nation has faced since devolution, more than 20 years ago. We are dealing with the joint challenges of a global pandemic and recovery from it, the ongoing tests posed by Brexit and the urgent, pressing need to take forward our net zero agenda as part of the global efforts to secure a greener future.

“The magnitude of these challenges is clear, but now is not a moment to shirk from those tasks but to embrace them. In the next five years, we have a chance to shape Scotland permanently for the better, creating a healthier, happier, fairer, more prosperous and more sustainable country for everyone who calls Scotland home, establishing a positive legacy for future generations.

READ MORE: Scottish Cabinet reshuffe: Fiona Hyslop and Fergus Ewing leave government

“The immediate challenge is the focus on recovery and the part that all policy portfolios can play in that. But, as I have made clear, when the crisis is over and the time is right, Scotland must and will have the chance to choose its future in line with the unquestionable democratic mandate for that choice.”  

The new 10 strong Cabinet is two ministers smaller than the previous team. It is still gender balanced.

Sturgeon will complete the line-up of the refreshed Government team when appointments to junior ministerial roles are announced later today.

All of today's appointments will have to be formally approved in a vote in the Scottish Parliament tomorrow and later by the Queen.

The reshuffle took place after the SNP won a record consecutive fourth term in government at Holyrood.

They fell just one seat short of an overall majority achieving 64 MSPs, more than double the number of their nearest rivals the Conservatives who won 31.

The election May 6 also saw a number of senior politicians leave the Scottish Parliament, with Constitution Secretary Mike Russell, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman (above), Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham and Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell all choosing to step away from politics, while energy minister Paul Wheelhouse failed to be re-elected.

Earlier today it was announced that two of Scotland's longest-serving cabinet secretaries are to leave the Scottish Government.

READ MORE: John Swinney takes on new role as SNP Cabinet is reshuffled

Both Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop and Rural Economy and Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing have been part of the Scottish cabinet since 2007 - the year the SNP came to power.

But with the First Minister conducting a major reshuffle of her ministerial team, she confirmed both Hyslop and Ewing would no longer be part of it.

Sturgeon yesterday announced that John Swinney is being moved from the education brief within the Scottish Government, and will now be Scotland's Coronavirus Recovery Secretary, at the same time as remaining in post as the Deputy First Minister.

Speaking as she began her cabinet reshuffle, Sturgeon said: "I want to pay tribute to the work of both Fiona Hyslop (above) and Fergus Ewing and to thank them for their unstinting public service over many years.

"Fiona has served in Cabinet since 2007, firstly as Education Secretary, then as Culture and External Affairs Secretary before taking on the Economy and Fair Work portfolio.

"Her tenure in the External Affairs brief saw Fiona oversee the expansion of the Scottish Government's international footprint, giving our country a higher profile than it has ever had before on the global stage, and that is a legacy which she can and should be justly proud of."

Speaking about Ewing (below), the First Minister said: "Fergus has also been part of the ministerial team since 2007, and has brought diligence and endeavour to all of the jobs he has held.

"In particular, he has worked tirelessly with and on behalf of Scotland's rural sector over the past five years since the Brexit vote, fighting their corner at every turn.

"Fergus has been a champion for Scotland's farmers and crofters during one of the most difficult, challenging and uncertain periods our agricultural sector has ever faced, and he has the gratitude of many in the industry for his efforts to protect their interests."

Sturgeon said: "I want to offer my sincere thanks to Fiona and Fergus for their service, and wish them well as they continue to serve their constituents in the new Parliament."

Hyslop this afternoon gave her response on Twitter to the new team highlighting a picture of the Cabinet outside Bute House.

She wrote: "This looks like a good strong Cabinet to take Scotland forward and I wish them every success.

"After 14 years in Government I’m happy, if not a bit relieved, to move out and make way and importantly to enjoy more of life! It’s been an enormous privilege to serve Scotland for so long."

Yousaf was the first to arrive at Bute House, followed by Forbes.

The First Minister revealed on Twitter that coronavirus measures meant she had to speak to Shirley-Anne Sommerville, who is currently Social Security Secretary, via Zoom.

Scottish Conservative Chief Whip Stephen Kerr poured scorn on the reshuffle.

He said: “The best that Nicola Sturgeon can muster is the same tired faces that have already failed Scotland’s schools, hospitals and justice system.

“The Scottish Conservatives are building a real alternative to this uninspired, run-down SNP Government that already looks out of ideas for taking Scotland forward.”

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “Firstly, I would like to congratulate everyone who has been appointed or re-appointed to the cabinet.

“This parliamentary term will be the most defining period for our nation since devolution and more than ever we need a government focused on recovery.

“Not only will the new government have to lead Scotland out of a pandemic, they will have to take action to rectify the several failings of the previous government, including the drugs death crisis and the looming exams debacle.

“Where there is agreement, Scottish Labour is ready to work with the Scottish Government to secure our recovery from Covid-19. But we will not be afraid to call out the failures of the government.

“In the final TV debate, the First Minister made the promise that she would focus on our recovery - we will hold her to it.

“The national recovery must be this Parliament’s collective national mission, not the arguments of the past.”

Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater said: “We welcome the new cabinet to their roles. It is particularly pleasing to see a cabinet position which recognises that energy and transport policy is linked to reducing Scotland’s emissions.

"Michael Matheson must now quickly demonstrate how the Government intends to change direction on transport policies, which have previously been one of the key reasons that climate targets have been missed.

“But to build a green recovery that leaves no-one behind and tackles the climate crisis, we will need all of government to pull in the same direction.

"That means we cannot return to the days of government saying one thing and ministers lobbying for the other behind the scenes.

"It's also clear that the new Constitution Secretary will need to work across party lines, not just to achieve a referendum in this session, but also to develop an inclusive vision for independence as a path to a more equal and sustainable economy.

“Now is the time for cross-government working and true cross-party engagement to tackle the biggest challenges Scotland faces. The Scottish Greens will work constructively to ensure this happens.”

The LibDems said they will oppose the appointment of a new Constitution Secretary and described the Cabinet as “recycled”.

“I wish all those appointed to the cabinet well as we seek to recovery from this deadly pandemic," said Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie.

"This must be a parliament of recovery as that was the clear message from the voters at the election. We will work with government ministers when we can agree and challenge when we don’t.

"Liberal Democrats argued during the election for the creation of a minister for recovery and we are glad to see our calls heeded.

"I hope that we can work together with John Swinney to put the recovery first and that his crucial new role will encourage him to take a more consensual approach.

"The appointment of a Cabinet Secretary for the constitution will distract effort and consume resources that should be used for recovery from the pandemic.

"Now is not the moment to appoint a minister for another referendum. We will oppose this appointment in parliament on Thursday.”

On education he said: "Shirley Anne Somerville will need to urgently reform the SQA and Education Scotland and ensure that another year of pupils are not badly burned by the qualifications system.”

On the return of former ministers Shona Robison and Keith Brown to the cabinet he added:

“Bringing ex-ministers back into the cabinet will be hard to take for all those who thought it was their turn.

"The new cabinet has not been refreshed; it’s been recycled. There are more old faces from the past than new ones for the future.

"Shona Robison left as Health Secretary after recording the worst cancer waiting times in six years.

"Keith Brown persuaded the First Minister to sign a dodgy deal with Chinese firms that he claimed was worth £10bn but didn't produce a single job.

 "Both will have to up their games as Scotland seeks to recover from the pandemic.”