Scottish Government Portfolios Update

Following the recent SNP leadership election, changes have now occurred within the Scottish Government’s Cabinet. We’ve summarised the changes of greatest relevance to Culture Counts members below:

 First Minister:

 Humza Yousaf MSP has replaced Nicola Sturgeon MSP as First Minister.

 Constitution, External Affairs and Culture:

 Angus Robertson MSP remains Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture. The Cabinet Secretary’s remit has changed slightly, it now includes:

 ·      constitutional policy and strategy

·      National Records of Scotland

·      British Irish Council

·      Royal and ceremonial

·      Scottish diaspora

·      broadcasting and screen

·      global affairs network

 With the Cab Sec’s remit now containing no explicit mention of Culture, we anticipate a greater emphasis on the Culture Sector’s relationship with the newly appointed minister.

Christina McKelvie MSP has been appointed as minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, replacing Neil Gray MSP. The Minister’s remit includes:

 ·      international development

·      creative industries

·      Scotland Touring Fund for Theatre and Music

·      Youth Music Initiative

·      Creative Scotland and other arts

·      cultural collections

·      major events and themed years

·      national towns of culture

·      Historic Environment Scotland

·      national performing companies

·      architecture, place and built heritage

·      Youth National Performing Company

·      cultural policy

 Culture Counts will hold a meeting with the Minister in the coming weeks.


Below we’ve listed further portfolios with relevance to different aspects of Culture Counts members’ work, and Ministerial changes. Further information can be found by following the links.

 Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy

Shona Robison MSP replaces Kate Forbes MSP as Cabinet Secretary for Finance, and John Swinney MSP as Deputy First Minister.

 Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care

 Michael Matheson MSP replaces Humza Yousaf MSP as Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care.

 Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills

 Jenny Gilruth MSP replaces Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP as Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.

 Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy

 Neil Gray MSP takes newly formed role of Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair work and Energy.

 Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice

 Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP takes newly formed role of Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.

 Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade

 Richard Lochhead MSP takes newly formed role of Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade.

 Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth

 Tom Arthur remains Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance.

 Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care

 Maree Todd MSP replaces Kevin Stewart MSP as Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport.

 Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise

 Natalie Don MSP replaces Clare Haughey MSP as Minister for Children and Young People. This portfolio has expanded to include Keeping The Promise.

 Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity

 Lorna Slater MSP remains Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity.

 Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees

 Emma Roddick MSP replaces Christina McKelvie MSP as Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees. This portfolio was previously known as Minister for Equalities and Older People.

 Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning

 Joe FitzPatrick MSP replaces Ben Macpherson MSP as Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning. This portfolio was previously known as Minister for Social Security and Local Government.

Joseph Peach