NICOLA Sturgeon has unveiled the 10-strong Cabinet team which will lead Scotland’s recovery from the pandemic and help bring about an independent Scotland.
The gender-balanced Cabinet is two members smaller than its predecessor and sees Humza Yousaf 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 Education Cabinet Secretary with a key aim of tackling the attainment gap between pupils from well-off and lower income families.
Former SNP depute leader and newly elected MSP for Edinburgh Central Angus Robertson takes on the key role of Constitution Secretary with the post also covering culture, post-Brexit and external relations.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon announces new Scottish Cabinet after post-election reshuffle
Michael Matheson takes on a new role as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport with his brief covering environmental protection, energy and COP26 delivery.
Keith Brown and Shona Robison both return to Cabinet, the former as Justice Secretary, the latter taking the social justice role.
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.
The new team was announced just before midday and later photographed standing socially-distanced outside Bute House in Edinburgh. Somerville was not among those pictured as she was self-isolating at home as a result of Covid restrictions.
Earlier it was revealed that Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop and Rural Economy and Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing (both below) would be leaving the Cabinet. Both had served in government since 2007.
Announcing her new Cabinet, the First Minister said: “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.”
She added: “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.
“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 SNP made a manifesto committee to hold a second referendum in the new parliamentary term on the condition that the pandemic is over.
Ahead of polling day the First Minister said she wants the new vote to take place by the end of 2023. In the first instance she will seek from Boris Johnson a Section 30 order transferring powers to Holyrood to hold the referendum.
However if he does not agree she has said she will press on with a vote using Holyrood legislation.
On Tuesday, after her formal re-election as First Minister by MSPs she stressed the mandate to hold indyref2.
"By any measure of arliamentary democracy, there is a clear mandate for a referendum within this session of Parliament. It is important, in the interests of democracy, that that is acknowledged and respected.
"However, it is also important that I exercise that mandate with responsibility and humility, and only when the crisis of Covid has passed. I give that commitment today."
"I believe that being independent will give Scotland, now and in the future, the best chance of making the most of our vast talents and resources.
"There are so many ways in which that matters—and we were reminded of just one of them last week. Our economic prospects depend on us attracting more people to live and work in Scotland. Yet, on Thursday, in Kenmure Street in my constituency, immigration officials tried to forcibly remove two individuals against the wishes of their community. With independence, the decisions that shape our future will lie with us."
All of the appointments will have to be formally approved in a vote in the Scottish Parliament today 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 saw a number of senior politicians leave the Scottish Parliament, with Constitution Secretary Mike Russell, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, 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.
READ MORE: First Minister unveils junior ministers as she completes reshuffle
Sturgeon announced on Tuesday that John Swinney (above) will remain as Deputy First Minister but will move from the education brief to a new role of Coronavirus Recovery Secretary.
Hyslop 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.”
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