JOHN Swinney has now completed the appointment of his full ministerial team after announcing his Cabinet on Wednesday.
The Scottish Cabinet will be supported by 14 ministers, reducing the size of the Scottish Government by four since the beginning of the year.
There’s been a few changes to the team, with the minister for independence role held by Jamie Hepburn scrapped.
READ MORE: Swinney cannot afford to treat independence as an afterthought
The other posts to be ditched include the two previously held by the Scottish Greens co-leaders, which included the briefs for the circular economy as well as active travel and tenants’ rights.
The minister for culture, Europe and international development role has also been axed, with Kaukab Stewart taking on a new role.
Here’s the full list of ministers:
- Minister for Parliamentary Business – Jamie Hepburn
- Minister for Business – Richard Lochhead
- Minister for Employment and Investment – Tom Arthur
- Minister for Public Finance – Ivan McKee
- Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise – Natalie Don
- Minister for Higher and Further Education and Minister for Veterans – Graeme Dey
- Minister for Victims and Community Safety – Siobhian Brown
- Minister for Climate Action – Gillian Martin
- Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity – Jim Fairlie
- Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health – Jenni Minto
- Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport – Maree Todd
- Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy – Christina McKelvie
- Minister for Equalities – Kaukab Stewart
- Minister for Housing – Paul McLennan
McKee previously left the Scottish Government after being offered what he considered to be a smaller job.
There were also some departures as part of the reshuffle. These include:
- George Adam stepped down as minister for parliamentary business
- Emma Roddick stepped down as minister for equalities, migration and refugees
- Joe FitzPatrick stepped down as minister for local government empowerment and planning
Reacting to the news on Twitter/X, Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Very sorry to see good friends @GeorgeAdam, @EmmaRoddickSNP and @JoeFitzSNP leaving Scottish Government this evening.
“All committed public servants, all made significant contributions in their roles and will be missed as ministers.”
Here is the full list of who holds which Cabinet position in the new SNP minority government:
- Kate Forbes, the youngest-ever Deputy First Minister, will take on the economy portfolio and responsibility for Gaelic
- Shona Robison remains in Cabinet with responsibility for finance and local government
- Jenny Gilruth remains Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
- Angela Constance remains Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs
- Mairi McAllan remains in Cabinet with responsibility for Net Zero and Energy portfolio
- Fiona Hyslop remains Cabinet Secretary for Transport
- Neil Gray remains Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Shirley-Anne Somerville remains Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice
- Angus Robertson remains Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
- Mairi Gougeon remains Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
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