Scotland's Economic Compass
An exploration of the pivotal role of the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic in shaping Scotland's economic landscape and promoting its cultural heritage.
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The Role
Defining the Position
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic is a senior ministerial position within the Scottish Government, responsible for overseeing the nation's economic strategy and the promotion and development of the Scottish Gaelic language. This role is integral to fostering economic prosperity, supporting businesses, and championing Scotland's unique cultural assets.
Current Incumbent
As of May 9, 2024, the position is held by Kate Forbes.[2] In addition to this portfolio, Ms. Forbes also serves as the Deputy First Minister of Scotland, highlighting the significance of her responsibilities within the government's executive branch.
Support Structure
The Cabinet Secretary is supported by junior ministers who assist in specific areas. Currently, Richard Lochhead serves as the Minister for Business and Employment, working under the Cabinet Secretary to advance economic objectives.[2]
Responsibilities
Core Duties
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic holds a broad mandate encompassing national economic policy and cultural preservation. Key areas of responsibility include:
- Inter-governmental relations and cross-government delivery of outcomes.
- Oversight of the National Performance Framework.
- Management of inquiries, including the Historical Abuse Inquiry, Redress, Covid Inquiries, and the Sheku Bayoh public inquiry.
- Promotion and development of languages, specifically Scottish Gaelic and Scots, as well as British Sign Language (BSL).
- Formulating and implementing economic policy and fostering prosperity.
- Leading the green industrial strategy, in collaboration with the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy.
- Supporting business, industry, and manufacturing sectors.
- Developing long-term labour market strategies.
- Engaging with UK government initiatives such as the shared prosperity fund, levelling up fund, and European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF).
- Overseeing government investments in key strategic areas and companies.
- Guiding city and regional growth deals and initiatives like the Clyde Mission.
Language and Culture
A significant aspect of this role involves the stewardship of Scotland's linguistic heritage. This includes actively promoting the use and development of Scottish Gaelic, supporting the Scots language, and ensuring accessibility through BSL. This focus underscores the government's commitment to preserving and celebrating Scotland's diverse cultural identity alongside economic advancement.
Historical Evolution
A Dynamic Portfolio
The portfolio encompassing economy and related portfolios has undergone numerous transformations since the establishment of the Scottish Government. Initially, the role was titled Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, established on May 18, 2016, under Keith Brown.[3] This position initially covered a wide range of economic and industrial responsibilities.
Mergers and Separations
The portfolio has frequently been merged with or separated from other briefs, notably Finance and Culture. For instance, it was merged with Finance to become Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work (held by Derek Mackay) and later split again. In February 2020, the role re-emerged as Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture under Fiona Hyslop.[4]
Government Structure
Reporting Lines
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic operates within the broader framework of the Scottish Government. This role reports directly to the First Minister and is accountable to the Scottish Parliament. The position also involves collaboration with other Cabinet Secretaries on cross-governmental initiatives.
Ministerial Support
Assisting the Cabinet Secretary are junior ministers. The Minister for Business and Employment, currently Richard Lochhead, plays a crucial role in implementing specific economic and employment policies under the Cabinet Secretary's direction.[2]
List of Secretaries
Past and Present Holders
The portfolio has seen several iterations and holders since its inception. The following table outlines the key individuals who have held significant economy-related portfolios within the Scottish Cabinet.
| Name | Portrait | Entered Office | Left Office | Party | First Minister | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Role formed out of Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work | ||||||
| Keith Brown | 
|
18 May 2016 | 26 June 2018 | Scottish National Party | Nicola Sturgeon | |
| Role merged with Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work | ||||||
| Derek Mackay | 
|
26 June 2018 | 5 February 2020 | Scottish National Party | Nicola Sturgeon | |
| Role merged with Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs and separated from Cabinet Secretary for Finance Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture | ||||||
| Fiona Hyslop | 
|
17 February 2020 | 19 May 2021 | Scottish National Party | Nicola Sturgeon | |
| Role merged with Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy | ||||||
| Kate Forbes | 
|
20 May 2021 | 28 March 2023 | Scottish National Party | Nicola Sturgeon | |
| Role separated from Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy | ||||||
| Neil Gray | 
|
29 March 2023 | 8 February 2024 | Scottish National Party | Humza Yousaf | |
| Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy | ||||||
| M%C3%A0iri McAllan | 
|
8 February 2024 | 8 May 2024 | Scottish National Party | Humza Yousaf | |
| Role separated from Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic | ||||||
| Kate Forbes | 
|
9 May 2024 | Incumbent | Scottish National Party | John Swinney | |
Salary and Details
Official Details
The role of Cabinet Secretary carries specific remuneration and official designations. As of May 2024, the salary structure reflects the dual responsibilities and seniority of the position.
- Salary: £126,452 per annum (2024), which includes the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) salary of £72,196. [1]
- Style: Typically referred to as "Cabinet Secretary" within parliamentary contexts, informally as "Economy Secretary," and internationally as "Scottish Economy Secretary."
- Seat: The administrative base for the role is Edinburgh.
- Appointer: Appointed by the First Minister, subject to approval from the Scottish Parliament.
- Inaugural Holder: The first iteration of a distinct economy-focused role was held by Keith Brown as Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work.
- Website: Official communications and information are available via the Scottish Government website: www.gov.scot.
Public Bodies
Oversight and Governance
Several key public bodies operate under the remit of the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, contributing to the implementation of economic strategy and regional development. These organizations play a vital role in supporting businesses, fostering innovation, and driving growth across Scotland.
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References
References
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date. Information regarding political roles, responsibilities, and personnel can change frequently.
This is not official government advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for official government communications, legal counsel, or professional policy consultation. Always refer to official Scottish Government sources for the most current and authoritative information. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.