Yousaf government

Scottish Government since 2023

Yousaf government

10th Government of Scotland
2023 – present

Yousaf's reshuffled cabinet inside Bute House, 2024

Date formed| 29 March 2023
People and organisations
Monarch| Charles III
First Minister| Humza Yousaf
Deputy First Minister| Shona Robison
Member parties|

* Scottish National Party
* Scottish Greens

Status in legislature| Majority (coalition)
cooperation and confidence and supply agreement between the SNP and the Greens

70 / 129 (54%)

Opposition cabinet| Opposition Parties
Opposition party|

* Scottish Conservative

(largest opposition party)
Opposition leader| Douglas Ross
History
Election(s)| 2023 Scottish National Party leadership election
Legislature term(s)| 6th Scottish Parliament
Predecessor| Third Sturgeon government
|  |

This article is part of
a series about

Humza Yousaf

|

* Political positions
* Electoral history

* MSP for Glasgow Pollok

* * *

Health Secretary

* COVID-19 pandemic
* vaccine rollout
* NHS' recovery plan
* Drug deaths
* National Care Service Bill
* NHS waiting list
* Cost-of-living crisis
* NHS pay offer

* * *

First Minister of Scotland

* * *

Ministry and term

* 2023 SNP leadership election

* * *

* * *

* v
* t
* e

Humza Yousaf formed the Yousaf government on 29 March 2023 following his appointment as first minister of Scotland at the Court of Session. It followed the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon as first minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) on 15 February, triggering a leadership contest that Yousaf won.[1]

The Scottish Green Party voted to remain in government with the SNP, which saw Yousaf's administration continue with the Bute House agreement, a pro-independence majority government. His cabinet consists of seven women and three men, the first majority women cabinet.

## History[edit]

On 15 February 2023, Nicola Sturgeon announced her intention to resign the leadership of the SNP and as First Minister.[2] Yousaf declared his candidacy for the 2023 leadership election. He won the internal party contest to become leader on 27 March 2023.

On 28 March, Yousaf was nominated by the Scottish Parliament to become the next first minister and on the same day he announced Shona Robison as his deputy first minister.[3] Yousaf offered Kate Forbes, who he had beaten in the leadership race, a demotion as rural affairs secretary, but she turned down this offer and left government.[4][5] Forbes' campaign manager in the election race and who served as the business minister under Sturgeon, Ivan McKee, also announced he would leave government.[6]

The first Cabinet meeting of the Yousaf government, 2023

Yousaf was formally sworn into office as first minister on 29 March 2023 and announced the formation of a new government.[7] There was speculation Robison, who he announced the previous day as his deputy, was to take over the finance portfolio from Forbes, which was later confirmed as true.[8][9] Neil Gray, who was Yousaf's campaign manager, was appointed the wellbeing economy secretary, with responsibility for energy.[10] Michael Matheson succeeded Yousaf as health secretary, with Shirley-Anne Somerville succeeding Robison as the social justice secretary.[11]

Angus Robertson and Mairi Gourgeon remained in their respective roles as the constitution secretary and rural affairs secretary.[12][13]

Jenny Gilruth was promoted to cabinet as education secretary, along with Màiri McAllan as the net zero secretary.[14] Angela Constance, who previously served in the cabinets of Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, returned to cabinet as the justice secretary.[15] She succeeded Keith Brown, the SNP's depute leader, who was removed from government.[16]

Yousaf appointed Jamie Hepburn the minister for independence, something the Scottish Conservatives criticised for being a “taxpayer-funded nationalist campaigner”.[17][18][19]

In early April 2023, in response to Operation Branchform and the arrest of former SNP CEO Peter Murrell, Johnston Carmichael, the auditor for the SNP, publicly announced they had resigned.[20] Yousaf later confirmed that Johnston Carmichael had resigned around October 2022 but he was unaware of this until after winning the leadership campaign.[21]

SNP President Michael Russell claimed in April 2023 that the SNP was facing its biggest challenge in 50 years.[22] On 11th April 2023, Yousaf stated that Peter Murrell would not be suspended because he is "innocent until proven guilty".[23]

## Cabinet[edit]

### March 2023 to February 2024[edit]

Portfolio  | Portrait  | Minister  | Term

|
|
|

Cabinet secretaries
First Minister |  | The Rt Hon Humza Yousaf MSP | 2023–present
Deputy First Minister |  | Shona Robison MSP | 2023–present
Cabinet Secretary for Finance | 2023–present
Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care |  | Michael Matheson MSP | 2023-2024
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills |  | Jenny Gilruth MSP | 2023–present
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition |  | Màiri McAllan MSP | 2023–2024
Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy |  | Neil Gray MSP | 2023–2024
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands |  | Mairi Gougeon MSP | 2021–present
Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture |  | The Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP | 2021–present
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice |  | Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP | 2023–present
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs |  | Angela Constance MSP | 2023–present
Also attending cabinet meetings[24][a]
Permanent Secretary |  | John-Paul Marks | 2022–present
Minister for Cabinet and Parliamentary Business |  | George Adam MSP | 2021–present
Lord Advocate |  | The Rt Hon. Dorothy Bain KC | 2021–present

### February 2024 to present[edit]

Portfolio  | Portrait  | Minister  | Term

|
|
|

Cabinet secretaries
First Minister |  | The Rt Hon Humza Yousaf MSP | 2023–present
Deputy First Minister |  | Shona Robison MSP | 2023–present
Cabinet Secretary for Finance | 2023–present
Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care |  | Neil Gray MSP | 2024-present
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills |  | Jenny Gilruth MSP | 2023–present
Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy |  | Màiri McAllan MSP | 2024-present
Cabinet Secretary for Transport |  | Fiona Hyslop MSP | 2024-present
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands |  | Mairi Gougeon MSP | 2021–present
Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture |  | The Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP | 2021–present
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice |  | Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP | 2023–present
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs |  | Angela Constance MSP | 2023–present
Also attending cabinet meetings[25][a]
Permanent Secretary |  | John-Paul Marks | 2022–present
Minister for Cabinet and Parliamentary Business |  | George Adam MSP | 2021–present
Lord Advocate |  | The Rt Hon. Dorothy Bain KC | 2021–present

## List of junior ministers[edit]

### March 2023 to present[edit]

### Junior ministers[edit]

Post  | Minister  | Political Party  | Term
Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy | Elena Whitham MSP |  | SNP | 2023–2024
Minister for Independence | Jamie Hepburn MSP |  | SNP | 2023–present
Minister for Cabinet and Parliamentary Business | George Adam MSP |  | SNP | 2021–present
Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance | Tom Arthur MSP |  | SNP | 2021–present
Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning | Joe FitzPatrick MSP |  | SNP | 2023–present
Minister for Public Health and Women's Health | Jenni Minto MSP |  | SNP | 2023–present
Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport | Maree Todd MSP |  | SNP | 2023–present
Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise | Natalie Don MSP |  | SNP | 2023–present
Minister for Higher and Further Education

Minister for Veterans

| Graeme Dey MSP |  | SNP | 2023–present
Minister for Transport | Kevin Stewart MSP |  | SNP | 2023
Fiona Hyslop MSP |  | SNP | 2023–present
Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade | Richard Lochhead MSP |  | SNP | 2023–present
Minister for Energy | Gillian Martin MSP |  | SNP | 2023–present
Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights | Patrick Harvie MSP |  | Scottish Green | 2021–present
Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity | Lorna Slater MSP |  | Scottish Green | 2021–present
Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development | Christina McKelvie MSP |  | SNP | 2023–present
Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees | Emma Roddick MSP |  | SNP | 2023–present
Minister for Housing | Paul McLennan MSP |  | SNP | 2023–present
Minister for Victims and Community Safety | Siobhian Brown MSP |  | SNP | 2023–present

## Scottish law officers[edit]

### Law officers[26][edit]

Post  | Name  | Portrait  | Term
Lord Advocate | The Rt Hon. Dorothy Bain KC |  | 2021–present
Solicitor General for Scotland | Ruth Charteris KC |  | 2021–present

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ a b The Co-leaders of the Scottish Greens also attend cabinet twice a year as part of the Bute House Agreement

## References[edit]

1. ^ Bland, Archie (28 March 2023). "Tuesday briefing: What Humza Yousaf's win means for Scotland, the SNP and independence". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
2. ^ "Can Humza Yousaf unite the SNP?". BBC News. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
3. ^ "Shona Robison to be Scottish deputy first minister". BBC News. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
4. ^ Andrews, Kieran. "Kate Forbes quits SNP cabinet after rejecting demotion by Humza Yousaf". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
5. ^ "Kate Forbes leaves Scottish government after rejecting demotion from new first minister Humza Yousaf". Sky News. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
6. ^ "Business minister Ivan McKee quits Scottish Government after 'smaller' job offer". The National. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
7. ^ "Humza Yousaf confirmed as Scotland's new first minister". BBC News. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
8. ^ Hutcheon, Paul (28 March 2023). "Shona Robison appointed Deputy First Minister by Humza Yousaf". Daily Record. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
9. ^ "Shona Robison replaces Kate Forbes as finance secretary in new cabinet". BBC News. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
10. ^ Tonner, Judith (30 March 2023). "Two Lanarkshire MSPs appointed to cabinet roles in new Scottish Government". Daily Record. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
11. ^ "Yousaf appoints 'ambitious' cabinet". BBC News. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
12. ^ Boothman, Kieran Andrews, John. "Who is in Humza Yousaf's new cabinet? His top team revealed". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 30 March 2023.`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
13. ^ "Mairi Gougeon to remain as Scotland's rural minister after reshuffle". www.farminguk.com. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
14. ^ Meighan, Craig (29 March 2023). "Humza Yousaf unveils cabinet after being sworn in as First Minister". STV News. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
15. ^ "Angela Constance becomes new justice secretary". Scottish Legal News. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
16. ^ Hutcheon, Paul (29 March 2023). "Keith Brown sacked as Justice Secretary by new First Minister Humza Yousaf". Daily Record. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
17. ^ Bussey, Katrine. "Yousaf's independence minister is a taxpayer-funded campaigner, say Tories". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
18. ^ "Humza Yousaf refuses to apologise for appointing minister for independence at FMQs". The National. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
19. ^ McCall, Chris (30 March 2023). "Humza Yousaf defends appointing dedicated minister for Scottish independence". Daily Record. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
20. ^ Carrell, Severin (7 April 2023). "SNP auditor's resignation adds to party's crisis amid finances investigation". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
21. ^ Meighan, Craig (11 April 2023). "SNP auditors quit six months ago and Humza Yousaf had no idea". STV News. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
22. ^ "SNP facing biggest and most challenging crisis in 50 years, says president". HeraldScotland. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
23. ^ "Ex-SNP chief will not be suspended from party - FM". BBC News. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
24. ^ "Cabinet and Ministers". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
25. ^ "Cabinet and Ministers". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
26. ^ "Law Officer appointments - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 19 June 2021.

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Scottish Parliaments and Governments

1st Parliament (1999–2003)|

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5th Parliament (2016-21)|

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6th Parliament (2021-26)|

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Scottish National Party

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| Scottish Parliament|

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|

House of Commons|

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| Leader|

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Depute Leader|

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Predecessors|

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Related topics|

* History of the Scottish National Party
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