John Swinney hosts first meeting of 'streamlined' Scottish cabinet

John Swinney has hosted the first meeting of his new-look cabinet team, which he said will “waste no time in delivering”.

The Scottish First Minister announced a scaled-down cabinet earlier this week, which he declared would be tasked with “delivering on the priorities of the people of Scotland”.

Former education secretary Jenny Gilruth was promoted to deputy First Minister in the shake-up, and also given responsibility for the finance brief.

That remit will see her working closely with Ivan McKee, who has been handed the new role of public service reform secretary – a key appointment as the Scottish Government looks to deal with a funding shortfall that could rise to £4.7 billion by the end of this decade.

Swinney said he was “delighted” to be chairing the first meeting of the new-look cabinet on Friday.

The First Minister said: “The ministerial team I have appointed will be focused on and responsive to the challenges facing communities across the country.

“That means supporting families through the current cost-of-living crisis, continuing to deliver improvements in our NHS, and growing our economy – all of which will require a concerted effort by the entire government working together.”

He continued: “My new, leaner cabinet will drive that work with greater purpose, co-ordination and effectiveness.

“It will help me ensure the government has a clear focus on the changes needed to deliver success, underpinned by our commitment to always be on Scotland’s side.

“The ministers gathered round the cabinet table all possess the experience, skills, talent and the drive needed to deliver lasting change for Scotland.

“We have a vision to take our country forward, and we will waste no time in delivering progress.”

However, his appointments drew criticism from opposition parties at Holyrood, with Meghan Gallacher of the Conservatives saying it appeared Swinney’s government “had been on Mounjaro because it has slimmed down in size” but adding despite this it “still somehow carries all the same political baggage”.

She said: “We now have a government where the cabinet looks exhausted already, and they haven’t even delivered their first Programme for Government.”

Reform UK’s Scottish deputy leader Thomas Kerr said the new cabinet team was “tired and knackered”.

He insisted: “Scotland does not need another recycled government pretending to be revolutionaries. What Scotland needs is seriousness, competence and accountability.”