Swinney government | |
|---|---|
 12thGovernment of Scotland | |
| 2024–present | |
.jpg) Swinney's cabinet outsideBute House, 2024 | |
| Date formed | 8 May 2024 |
| People and organisations | |
| Monarch | Charles III |
| First Minister | John Swinney |
| First Minister's history | MSP forPerthshire North (1999–present) Deputy First Minister of Scotland (2014–2023) Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy (2007–2016, 2022–2023) Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery (2021–2023) Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (2016–2021) |
| Deputy First Minister | Kate Forbes |
| Member parties | |
| Status in legislature | Minority 60 / 129 (47%) |
| Opposition cabinet | Opposition Parties |
| Opposition party | |
| Opposition leader | Douglas Ross (until September 2024) Russell Findlay (September 2024–present) |
| History | |
| Legislature term | 6th Scottish Parliament |
| Budget | 2025 Scottish budget |
| Predecessor | Second Yousaf government |
| ||
|---|---|---|
Cabinet positions (2007–2023)
First Minister of Scotland (2024–present)
 | ||
John Swinney formed theSwinney government on 8 May 2024, following his appointment asFirst Minister of Scotland at theCourt of Session.[1] The government was approved by parliamentary vote thanks to the abstention ofScottish Green MSPs.[2]
Swinney's government was announced on 8 May following his tenure as first minister beginning, and includes eleven cabinet secretaries, the majority of whom are women, with the youngestdeputy first minister,Kate Forbes, being appointed by Swinney. The majority of members of the government were part of thecabinet under Swinney's predecessor,Humza Yousaf'ssecond administration.[3]
Newly appointed cabinet secretaries who were not part of the previous administration were appointed as cabinet secretary designates, pending approval bymembers of the Scottish Parliament and receiving approval by the incumbent monarch.[3]
On 29 April 2024,Humza Yousaf announced his intention to resignthe leadership of the Scottish National Party, and as First Minister.[4] Swinney announced his candidacy for theinternal leadership contest, and was elected unopposed.[5]Shona Robison resigned as Deputy First Minister on 8 May in favour ofKate Forbes, but was re-appointed as Swinney'sFinance Secretary with additional responsibility for local government.[6][7]
The majority of Swinney's cabinet served in Humza Yousaf's government. The only addition to the cabinet was Kate Forbes replacing Shona Robison asDeputy First Minister of Scotland, and taking part ofMàiri McAllan'sresponsibility for economy into her portfolio asCabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic.[6]
Only one new junior minister joined Swinney's government, former ministerIvan McKee, with the number of junior ministerial posts being reduced from 16 to 14. The portfolio ofMinister for Employment and Investment was created, withTom Arthur appointed to the role. The ministers forindependence andculture were abolished, with their incumbentsJamie Hepburn andKaukab Stewart moved to other positions.Joe FitzPatrick'slocal government position was abolished, and he therefore departed government along withEqualities MinisterEmma Roddick andParliamentary Business MinisterGeorge Adam.[8]
TheScottish Parliament formally approved the appointments ofKate Forbes andIvan McKee on 9 May 2024.[9][10]
Prior to Swinney's appointment, it was announced in February 2024 thatMàiri McAllan would be taking maternity leave.[11] From 1 July 2024, McAllan began her maternity leave.Gillian Martin was appointed as Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, andAlasdair Allan was appointed as Acting Minister for Climate Action.[12]
In June 2025, Swinney conducted a minor reshuffle following McAllan's return from maternity leave. Martin was appointed to the position ofCabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy and McAllan was given the new post ofCabinet Secretary for Housing. Dr Allan departed government as didMinister for Housing,Paul McLennan.Maree Todd was madeMinister for Drugs & Alcohol Policy and Sport, filling the post which had been left vacant following the death ofChristina McKelvie in March 2025.Tom Arthur replaced Todd asMinister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing and his economy brief was absorbed byRichard Lochhead who went from Minister for Business toMinister for Business and Employment.[13]
In September 2025,Jamie Hepburn resigned asMinister for Parliamentary Business following an altercation with Conservative MSPDouglas Ross in the parliamentary chamber.[14] He was replaced byGraeme Dey, who also retained his role asMinister for Veterans.Ben Macpherson rejoined the government asMinister for Higher and Further Education (Dey's former role).[15]
Junior ministers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post | Minister | Term | ||
| Minister for Parliamentary Business | Jamie HepburnMSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Employment and Investment | Tom ArthurMSP | 2024–2025 | ||
| Minister for Public Finance | Ivan McKeeMSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Public Health and Women's Health | Jenni MintoMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport | Maree ToddMSP | 2023–2025 | ||
| Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise | Natalie DonMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Higher and Further Education | Graeme DeyMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Business | Richard LochheadMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Climate Action[i] | Gillian MartinMSP | 2023–2025 | ||
| Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy | Christina McKelvieMSP | 2024-March 2025 | ||
| Minister for Equalities | Kaukab StewartMSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Housing | Paul McLennanMSP | 2023–2025 | ||
| Minister for Victims and Community Safety | Siobhian BrownMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity | Jim FairlieMSP | 2024-present | ||
Junior ministers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post | Minister | Term | ||
| Minister for Parliamentary Business | Jamie HepburnMSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Public Finance | Ivan McKeeMSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Public Health and Women's Health | Jenni MintoMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing | Tom ArthurMSP | 2025–present | ||
| Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise | Natalie Don-InnesMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Higher and Further Education | Graeme DeyMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Business and Employment | Richard LochheadMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Drugs & Alcohol Policy and Sport | Maree ToddMSP | 2025-present | ||
| Minister for Equalities | Kaukab StewartMSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Victims and Community Safety | Siobhian BrownMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity | Jim FairlieMSP | 2024-present | ||
Junior ministers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post | Minister | Term | ||
| Minister for Parliamentary Business Minister for Veterans | Graeme DeyMSP | 2025–present | ||
| Minister for Public Finance | Ivan McKeeMSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Public Health and Women's Health | Jenni MintoMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing | Tom ArthurMSP | 2025–present | ||
| Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise | Natalie Don-InnesMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Higher and Further Education | Ben MacphersonMSP | 2025–present | ||
| Minister for Business and Employment | Richard LochheadMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Drugs & Alcohol Policy and Sport | Maree ToddMSP | 2025-present | ||
| Minister for Equalities | Kaukab StewartMSP | 2024–present | ||
| Minister for Victims and Community Safety | Siobhian BrownMSP | 2023–present | ||
| Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity | Jim FairlieMSP | 2024-present | ||
Law officers[16] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Post | Name | Portrait | Term |
| Lord Advocate | The Rt Hon.Dorothy BainKC |  | 2021–present |
| Solicitor General for Scotland | Ruth CharterisKC |  | 2021–present |
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| Electoral history | ||
| Related | ||
| 1st Parliament (1999–2003) |
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| 2nd Parliament (2003–2007) |
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| 3rd Parliament (2007–2011) |
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| 4th Parliament (2011–2016) |
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| 5th Parliament (2016–2021) |
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| 6th Parliament (2021–2026) |
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