New Scottish Cabinet and ministers announced

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced the new Scottish Cabinet and ministerial team.

The First Minister has made enhancing Scotland’s education system and improving opportunities for young people the top priority of her new Cabinet team, handing responsibility for the portfolio to her longest-serving Cabinet Secretary, John Swinney.

Fergus Ewing takes up the post of Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity. Roseanna Cunningham has been appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform. 

The new Scottish Cabinet in full:

• First Minister: Nicola Sturgeon MSP
• Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills: John Swinney MSP
• Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution: Derek Mackay MSP
• Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport: Shona Robison MSP
• Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform: Roseanna Cunningham MSP
• Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs: Fiona Hyslop MSP
• Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities: Angela Constance MSP
• Cabinet Secretary for Justice: Michael Matheson MSP
• Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work: Keith Brown MSP
• Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity: Fergus Ewing MSP

Visit the Scottish Government website for more about the announcement and portfolio responsibilities.

New ministers have also been appointed and they will take responsibility for delivering key priorities in the Scottish Government’s programme.

New appointments include Humza Yousaf as Minister for Transport and the Islands, acting as junior minister to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity and reporting to the Economy and Climate Change Secretaries as appropriate. A new Minister for Mental Health – Maureen Watt - will assume responsibility for driving forward improvements in this area.