The secretary of state for education, also referred to as the education secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, responsible for the work of the Department for Education. The incumbent is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom.
The first minister of Scotland, formally the First Minister and Keeper of the Scottish Seal, is the head of the Scottish Government and the keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland. The first minister chairs the Scottish Cabinet and is primarily responsible for the formulation, development, and presentation of the Scottish Government's policies. Additional functions of the first minister include promoting and representing Scotland in an official capacity, at home and abroad.
Fiona Jane Hyslop is a Scottish politician who has served as Cabinet Secretary for Transport since 2024. Hyslop has served in various offices under first ministers Salmond, Sturgeon, Yousaf and Swinney; as education secretary, culture secretary, and economy secretary as well as in junior ministerial roles. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she has been a member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Linlithgow constituency since 2011, having represented the Lothians region from 1999 to 2011.
The Deputy First Minister of Scotland is the second highest ranking minister of the Government of Scotland, behind the First Minister of Scotland. The post-holder is appointed by the First Minister, and deputises for the First Minister during a period of absence or whilst they are out-with Scotland undertaking overseas visits. During any period of the First Minister's absence, the DFM will be expected to answer to the Scottish Parliament on behalf of the First Minister at First Minister's Questions.
The Scottish Government Education Directorates were a group of the civil service directorates in the Scottish Government. The Directorates were titled Children, Young People and Social Care; Schools; and Lifelong Learning. They were responsible for education in Scotland; social work care for children and young people and lifelong learning. In December 2010 these functions were taken on by the Learning and Justice Directorates.
Angela Constance is a Scottish politician serving as Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs since 2023. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Almond Valley since 2007.
The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity is a member of the Scottish Government who reports to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands. As a Junior Minister the post holder is not a member of the Scottish Government Cabinet.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, commonly referred to as the Education Secretary, is a position in the Scottish Government Cabinet responsible for all levels of education in Scotland. The incumbent is Jenny Gilruth, who assumed office on 29 March 2023 and was reappointed on 8 May 2024.
The Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy, commonly referred to as the Wellbeing Economy Secretary, is a Scottish Government Cabinet position with responsibility for the economy of Scotland. The incumbent is Màiri McAllan since 2024.
The Minister for Public Health and Women's Health is a junior ministerial post in the Scottish Government. The minister is not a member of the Scottish Cabinet, however, they report to the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care.
The Minister for Higher and Further Education is a Junior ministerial post in the Education Department of the Scottish Government. As a result, the Minister does not attend the Scottish Cabinet. The post was created in May 2007 after the appointment of the Scottish National Party minority administration and the Minister reports to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, who has overall responsibility for the portfolio, and is a member of cabinet. The Minister has specific responsibility for further education and colleges, higher education and universities, science and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics, student funding, youth work, and widening access to education.
The Minister for Victims and Community Safety is a Junior ministerial post in the Scottish Government. As a result, the minister does not attend the Scottish Cabinet. The post was created in May 1999 during the 1st Scottish Parliament as the Deputy Minister for Justice. Deputy ministers were renamed ministers after the election of the Scottish National Party in 2007. The minister reports to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, who has overall responsibility for the portfolio, and is a member of cabinet.
The Minister for Housing is a Junior ministerial post in the Scottish Government. As a result, the Minister does not attend the Scottish Cabinet. The incumbent, Paul McLennan reports to Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.
Scottish Parliament committees are small groups of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who meet on a regular basis to scrutinise the work of the Scottish Government, conduct inquiries into subjects within their remit and examine legislation. Much of the everyday work of the Scottish Parliament is done by these committees.
The Scottish Government Education and Justice Directorates are a group of civil service Directorates in the Scottish Government created by a re-organisation.
The Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training was a position in the Scottish Government cabinet. The Cabinet Secretary had overall responsibility for employment policy, women's employment, youth employment, the living wage and skills and employment training. The Cabinet Secretary was assisted by the Minister for Youth and Women's Employment.The position was abolished in May 2016, with employment issues moving to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, and training matters being dealt with by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.
The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport is a member of the Scottish Government. The Minister reports to the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care, who has overall responsibility for the portfolio, and is a member of cabinet. As a Junior Minister the post holder is not a member of the Scottish Government Cabinet.
Jennifer Madeleine Gilruth is a Scottish politician who has served as the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills since 2023. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Mid Fife and Glenrothes since 2016.
Natalie Don is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who has served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Renfrewshire North and West since 2021.
John Swinney formed the Swinney government on 8 May 2024, following his appointment as first minister of Scotland at the Court of Session.
