Independence and austerity on agenda in first
●Mairi McAllan remains in Cabinet with responsibility for the Net Zero and Energy portfolio
●Fiona Hyslop remains Cabinet Secretary for Transport
●Nei● Gray remains Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
●Shir●ey-Anne Somerville remains Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice
●Angus Robertson remains Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
●Mairi Gougeon remains Cabinet
SCOTLAND’S new First Minister told the Prime Minister that his government will work with its UK counterpart in “good faith” in the first call between the two leaders.
In a statement after John Swinney and Rishi Sunak spoke yesterday afternoon, the Scottish Government
Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
●Mairi McAllan will remain as Energy Secretary but the “Wellbeing Economy” brief has been stripped of its first word and handed to Forbes.
Commenting on the Cabinet appointments, First Minister Swinney said: “Ahead of my appointment as First Minister, I committed to working collaboratively across the Parliament to address the pressing issues facing the people of Scotland.
“With that in mind, I have selected a Cabinet team that blends experience and energy, with a strong focus on the priorities my Government will pursue – eradicating child poverty, driving economic growth, meeting climate obligations and investing in our vital public services.” said the Tory leader had also been told the SNP would aim to “respectfully persuade” people to support independence.
Sunak was further told of “the need” to end UK austerity measures and invest further in public services such as the NHS.
Outlining the call, a Scottish Government spokesperson said:
He added: “I believe that Scotland’s future is best served as an independent country – but I recognise more people need to be convinced of that before independence can be achieved.
“My Cabinet will also focus efforts on reaching out to those who remain unconvinced, with respect and courtesy, to ensure that the people of Scotland have the democratic right to choose their own future.”
Junior ministerial appointments are expected today.
The Scottish Conservatives said Swinney’s Cabinet was “simply Humza Yousaf’s Cabinet with a different figurehead”.
Scots Tory MSP and party chair Craig Hoy went on: “The return of Kate Forbes is a desperate attempt by both John Swinney and his new deputy to gloss over the huge splits in the SNP and fixate on independence.”
Scottish Labour group leader Anas Sarwar said it was a “continuity Cabinet”.
He added: “All about managing their party, nothing to do with running the country.”
However, others have welcomed the consistency.
The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland said: “The reappointment of Neil Gray as Health Secretary is not only welcome but necessary in providing continuity at a time when NHS Scotland is in deep crisis.
“We look forward to continuing to build a relationship with Neil Gray on an open and frank basis.”
ANALYSIS OF RESHUFFLE CHANGES
“The First Minister spoke with the Prime Minister this afternoon and confirmed that the Scottish Government stands ready to work constructively with the UK Government in a good-faith effort to deliver for the people of Scotland and reduce polarisation in politics.
“The First Minister set out his determination to eradicate child poverty and urged the UK Government to work with him towards that goal by changing course on policies such as the two-child benefit cap which are causing misery for many families in Scotland.
“Mr Swinney set out the need for a change in the UK Government’s economic policy and an end to austerity, in order to allow the