Women take lead in reshuffle
The new secretary for finance, Kate Forbes, left, joined Nicola Sturgeon at Bute House, as the First Minister outlined new appointments to the Scottish Government in a shake-up that means women outnumber men in the Scottish Cabinet, with seven of its 12 members female.
Kate Forbes is to become Scotland’s new Finance Secretary in a shake-up that means women outnumber men in the Scottish cabinet.
The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP’S promotion to the cabinet is no surprise after she successfully stood in for derek Mackay, after his ignominious departure earlier this month, to deliver the Scottish budget.
It means seven of the 12 members of cabinet are women, in the shake-up unveiled by Nicola Sturgeon yesterday. The Scottish Government, including junior ministers, will be fully gender balanced at 13 men and 13 women. This excludes law officers.
Jenny Gilruth, the Fife MSP, will join the Government as Europe and International Development Minister, with Ben Macpherson moving sideways to replace Ms Forbes as public finance minister.
The reshuffle will see Michael Russell take on a new role as Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, shedding his former Brexit brief following the UK’S departure from the EU.
It means Fiona Hyslop’s brief is overhauled as she takes on the brief for Economy, Fair Work and Culture.
Fergus Ewing will take on responsibility for tourism as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism.
Ms Sturgeon said: “These appointments bring new talent into government and deliver a real focus, not only on driving forward our economy but also on addressing the challenges of Brexit, increasing our population and ending Scotland’s contribution to the climate crisis.
“I am pleased to make these appointments and, in particular, to be able to put Scotland’s finances and Scotland’s economy into the hands of two incredibly talented colleagues.
“Fiona Hyslop has been an outstanding Cabinet Secretary, delivering a successful expansion of Scotland’s overseas presence and recognition, supporting our booming tourism industry and demonstrating the huge importance of culture, not just to our economy but more importantly to who we are and how we see ourselves.”
The appointments of Ms Forbes to the cabinet and of Ms Gilruth as a minister will have to be endorsed by MSPS tomorrow.
The new Finance Secretary’s most pressing task will be to reach a deal with at least one other party at Holyrood which will ensure the budget for 2019-20 is passed. The process is complicated by the absence of a UK budget setting out Scotland’s settlement of about £34 billion, which was delayed by the general election.
There is also speculation that newly appointed Chancellor Rishi Sunak could delay it even further as he comes to terms with his new brief.
Tory finance spokesman Murdo Fraser said Ms Forbes’ promotion was well deserved. But he added: “It cannot hide the brutal shortcomings of this clapped-out government.
“The SNP has been in charge in Scotland for 13 years, over which time education has descended into crisis, the NHS has deteriorated and our economy badly lags the rest of the UK.”
David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, welcomed the changes.
He said: “The promotion of Kate Forbes to Finance Secretary is very encouraging. We have worked closely with Ms Forbes on the Non-domestic Rates Bill, the saving of the uniform business rate and the Scottish budget, and look forward to building on that positive relationship further.
“The new Economy Secretary, Fiona Hyslop MSP, is an experienced minister with a proven track record in government. With retail in the midst of significant transformation we look forward to working positively and constructively with her to develop a strategy aimed at bolstering the industry and helping its successful reinvention.”