The MSP for Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith, Ben Macpherson has stepped back from government for health reasons.
Mr Macpherson was appointed Minister for Innovation, Technology & Tertiary Education and he explained in a letter to First Minister, John Swinney that he needs to prioritise other “pressures, people and purposes” in his life.
He thanked Mr Swinney for the opportunity to serve in government, but confirmed he will support the government from the back benches.
Accepting his resignation, the First Minister thanked Mr Macpherson for his contribution to government.
Mr Macpherson has been an MSP since 2016, and previously held several ministerial roles. He previously Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development (2028-2020) when Nicola Sturgeon was first minister and Minister for Public Finance and Migration (2020-2021), as well as Minister for Social Security and Local Government (2021-2023)
Response from the First Minister:
Dear Ben
Thank you for your letter. I appreciate that this will not have been an easy decision and that you have reflected carefully before you have reached your conclusion.
You have made a significant contribution in government not least as Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education where the Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Act 2026 was passed under your leadership. I know you have been closely involved in work to co-design and co-deliver the future of Scotland’s college and university sectors – work that has cross-party support. And, I know that during your time in post you gave a fresh impetus to our support for youth work and made great strides in improving our apprenticeship system and strategic skills planning, in close cooperation with the business community.
In previous ministerial roles, during your time in social security, you were closely involved with the expansion of the Scottish Child Payment and launching the Adult Disability payment. And, your work in international development remains relevant to the programme we take forward in this area to this day.
These are but a few examples of your contribution from your time in a wide range of portfolios – including finance, external affairs, rural affairs and climate, as well as in education most recently.
I know the diligence in which you serve the people of Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith as an SNP MSP, and I look forward to you continuing to do so in the SNP parliamentary group.
I hope that the time away from government you are now taking can lead you a stronger, more resilient place. You have my very best wishes in doing so.
Yours, for Scotland,
JOHN SWINNEY
