First Minister presents her new cabinet

There have been a few changes in the Scottish Cabinet.

John Swinney remains as Deputy First Minister, but will take over the Education portfolio, signalling the importance of the task at hand perhaps.

The First Minister said: “John’s record is exemplary, overseeing a succession of balanced budgets as well as delivering the recent fiscal framework deal that will underpin the new powers being devolved to the Scottish parliament. His appointment to this crucial role demonstrates how important education is to my government.”

Derek Mackay has become Finance Secretary and since that role has been split in two, Keith Brown has taken over the Economy and Jobs portfolio.

Shona Robison remains as Health Secretary and Michael Matheson retains his Justice Secretary post. Angela Constance moves from Education to Communities Social Security and Equalities and Fergus Ewing takes over the post of Rural Economy and Connectivity Secretary. He relinquishes his role as Environment Secretary to Roseanna Cunningham and Fiona Hyslop remains Culture Secretary.

The Culture Secretary role has widened however to include Tourism and External Affairs.

The Edinburgh Reporter was at Bute House along with the national press and while we broadcast live on Periscope we have also used the footage here:
[vimeo 167113947 w=640 h=360]

The Edinburgh Reporter NEWS – new Scottish Cabinet from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

To make way for the new appointments here were two resignations overnight from Richard Lochhead who was Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs since 2007, but who has been berated over the payment to farmers of the Common Agricultural Policy payments. He also cited his wife’s illness as a factor in his resignation.

Alex Neill who we always found to be a very agreeable and willing interviewee has also stepped down from his position as Social Justice Secretary to spend more time in his constituency.

More announcements of junior ministerial positions will follow later.