Jenny Gilruth MSP has been appointed Scotland’s Deputy First Minister by First Minister John Swinney.
Gilruth, a former teacher, described the appointment as “the greatest honour of my life” as she accepted the role.
She was elected to represent the Mid Fife and Glenrothes Constituency at the 2016 election.
Gilruth was previously the Minister for Europe and International Development and Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development.
She was appointed Minister for Transport in January 2022 and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills in March 2023.
Swinney said: “Jenny Gilruth has already shown she can deliver for the people of Scotland, not least in averting damaging teachers strikes earlier this year.
“Now, as my government takes on the emphatic mandate we were given by the people, she will play a central role in making sure we deliver on people’s priorities.
“This will be a Scottish Government working for Scotland. We have pledged that we will support people with the cost of living, ensure easier access to the NHS and deliver a fresh start with independence.
“That is exactly what we will do, and I am pleased that Jenny will bring her drive and determination to that task.”
Brought up and educated in Fife, Gilruth is a graduate of Glasgow University, where she studied Politics and Sociology, and of Strathclyde University where she studied for her Postgraduate in Secondary Education (Modern Studies).
Prior to being elected in 2016, Gilruth worked a decade in education, including as a Head of Department in a Fife secondary school.
Gilruth said: “Being asked to serve as John Swinney’s Deputy First Minister is the greatest honour of my life.
“We are coming into government refreshed by the faith people have placed in us and determined to deliver on the job they have asked us to do – supporting people through the cost of living crisis, giving people easier access to the NHS and delivering a fresh start with independence.
“That is our task and it is one I will dedicate myself to delivering as Deputy First Minister, in a Scottish Government working for Scotland.”
John Swinney’s cabinet
Swinney also unveiled his entire new Cabinet, comprising eight Cabinet Secretaries, including the Deputy First Minister.
“The focused and streamlined Cabinet will include the first ever Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform, who will lead cross-government work to ensure public services are responsive to the needs of the people of Scotland,” said the Scottish Government.
“Responsibility for independence and the constitution will now sit directly with the First Minister.”
The Cabinet, which is made up of a majority of women, consists of:
- Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Jenny Gilruth
- Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform Ivan McKee
- Cabinet Secretary for Justice Neil Gray
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care Angela Constance
- Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs Gillian Martin
- Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic Màiri McAllan
- Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing Shirley-Anne Somerville
- Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn
Swinney said: “I am immensely proud to appoint this Cabinet with the experience, energy and drive to deliver on the mandate given to us by the people of Scotland. This will be a Scottish Government working for Scotland.
“As a leaner, more agile government, our full focus will be on delivering on the things that matter most to the people of Scotland, including supporting people with the cost of living crisis, ensuring easier access to the NHS and delivering a fresh start with independence.
“This new team will hit the ground running, delivering major progress on our priorities within the first 100 days, before continuing to deliver on the emphatic mandate given to us by the people of Scotland.
“This team of Cabinet Secretaries will bring experience, drive and a determination to deliver for Scotland – and this government will work harder than ever to repay the trust that people have placed in us.”
Other ministerial appointments will be announced in due course.