First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces SNP cabinet team for Scottish Government
Humza Yousaf has been appointed as health secretary, amongst other key cabinet appointments
Nicola Sturgeon has announced her new cabinet team after being re-elected as First Minister.
Humza Yousaf, left, who had held the post of justice secretary, has been named as cabinet secretary for health and social care – a role which will also include establishment of the National Care Service.
Kate Forbes takes up an expanded role as finance and economy secretary, and will have responsibility in areas including the Scottish Budget, fiscal policy and taxation, and economic strategy.
Michael Matheson takes on a new role as cabinet secretary for net zero, energy and transport, a role which will include responsibility for Cop26 delivery.
SNP depute leader Keith Brown replaces Humza Yousaf as justice secretary and will have responsibility for reform of the justice system.
Angus Robertson, who was previously the SNP’s Westminster leader, takes on the role as cabinet secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.
Mairi Gougeon has been name as rural affairs and islands secretary, whilst Shona Robison returns to the frontbench as cabinet secretary for social justice, housing and local government
Mairi Gougeon has been name as rural affairs and islands secretary.
After announcing her cabinet, Sturgeon 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.”
Sturgeon said that now is not a moment to “shirk” from the magnitude of the challenges ahead.
“This term of office is unquestionably the most important one the nation has faced since devolution, more than 20 years ago,” she said.
Shona Robison returns to the frontbench as cabinet secretary for social justice, housing and local government.
“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.
Responding to the announcement of the new cabinet, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “I wish all those appointed to the cabinet well as we seek to recovery from this deadly pandemic. 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 ex-ministers 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.”
Top picture: The architecture of the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh.