Michael Matheson named new infrastructure secretary in cabinet reshuffle

The Scottish Government reshuffle sees five new cabinet secretaries appointed, with the overall size of the cabinet increasing to 12 to “reflect the increasing impact of Brexit on Scottish Government business”, and ensure direct cabinet oversight of the operational delivery of a new social security system.

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In his new role, Michael Matheson will be supported by Paul Wheelhouse, the new minister for energy, connectivity and the islands, tasked with taking forward the government’s key priorities of increasing renewable energy, broadband and islands policy.

Matheson replaces Humza Yousaf in the role, who in turn takes on the minister’s former position as justice secretary.

The First Minister also confirmed a number of ministerial posts with Kevin Stewart remaining in post with the amended title as minister for local government, housing and planning where he will be tasked with implementing the Homelessness Taskforce recommendations.

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Elsewhere Jeane Freeman is promoted to become cabinet secretary for health and sport and will continue work to reform the NHS, and prepare it for the future.

Derek Mackay will become cabinet secretary for finance, economy and fair work and will be supported by a team of ministers including a minister for business, fair work and skills alongside new posts of minister for public finance and the digital economy, and a minister for trade, investment and innovation.

Fergus Ewing will continue as cabinet secretary for the rural economy.

Michael Russell will join cabinet with responsibility for government business and constitutional relations, overseeing the necessary preparations for the UK’s exit from the EU in a way that protects Scotland’s interests and ensures that the government’s wider programme of work is not affected, and leading discussions with the UK government as the Brexit process continues.

John Swinney, Roseanna Cunningham and Fiona Hyslop will remain in their current posts, while Keith Brown, Shona Robison and Angela Constance will leave the government.

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Unveiling the new cabinet line-up, the First Minister said: “The new cabinet I am announcing today brings fresh talent to the Scottish Government and ensures that we are fully equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities facing the country in the months and years ahead.

“With the impact of Brexit on our economy and wider society, it is right that the issues it presents are fully reflected at cabinet level, while the delivery of a new Scottish social security system also requires a voice at the cabinet table.

“Those appointments, together with the reshaped portfolios announced today, mean that people can have confidence that the Scottish Government will continue to deliver for people, public services and communities the length and breadth of the country.

“People already have high trust in the Scottish Government to look after their interests, and I am determined that this new, refreshed cabinet will continue to repay that trust.

“I would like to place on record my thanks and gratitude to Keith Brown, Shona Robison and Angela Constance who are leaving cabinet today for the hard work, commitment and dedication they have brought to the government. Each of them has achievements that they can be proud of and I know that they will all continue to make a strong contribution to the cause of a better Scotland.

“I will shortly be appointing a fully refreshed junior ministerial team, which will also include a number of fresh faces and a wealth of new talent.”

The new appointments will be put to Parliament for approval on Thursday 28 June.

Cabinet in full:

First Minister: Nicola Sturgeon

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills: John Swinney

Supported by Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science and the Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills (who also reports to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work).

Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work: Derek Mackay

Supported by Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy, Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation and Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills (who also reports to the Deputy First Minister)

Cabinet Secretary for Justice: Humza Yousaf

Supported by Minister for Community Safety

Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs: Fiona Hyslop

Supported by Minister for Europe, Migration & International Development

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People: Shirley-Anne Somerville

Supported by Minister for Older People and Equalities

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy: Fergus Ewing

Supported by Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment (who also reports to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform)

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform: Roseanna Cunningham

Supported by Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment (who also reports to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy)

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport: Jeane Freeman

Supported by Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, and Minister for Mental Health

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity: Michael Matheson

Supported by Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands

Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government: Aileen Campbell

Supported by Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning

Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations: Michael Russell

Supported by Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans