Kate Forbes given deputy role in John Swinney's otherwise unchanged cabinet
The new First Minister has stuck with the same team left by Humza Yousaf
Last updated 8th May 2024
Kate Forbes has become Scotland's youngest ever Deputy First Minister as John Swinney announced a largely unchanged Cabinet team.
The 34-year-old former finance secretary, had been tipped to run for the SNP leadership again after Humza Yousaf stood down just over a week ago, but instead opted to back Swinney and he went on to claim the position of party leader unopposed.
He has now rewarded her by making her his deputy, and also giving her responsibility for the economy and Gaelic.
Speaking after his top team was announced, Mr Swinney said he is "committed to working collaboratively across the Parliament to address the pressing issues facing the people of Scotland".
That will be required as the SNP is now a minority administration at Holyrood after Mr Yousaf tore up the powersharing deal the party had with the Scottish Greens - a move which ultimately led to his resignation.
Exprerience and energy
The FM said: "I have selected a Cabinet team that blends experience and energy, with a strong focus on the priorities my Government will pursue - eradicating child poverty, driving economic growth, meeting climate obligations and investing in our vital public services.
"My overriding priority will be to work to eradicate child poverty in Scotland, an issue on which real progress has been made through measures such as the Scottish child payment.
"The Government I lead will maximise every lever at our disposal to tackle the scourge of poverty in our country."
The new deputy said she was "deeply honoured" to be appointed as his deputy, describing it as an "extraordinary privilege".
"I look forward to dedicating my future to serving the people of Scotland.
"It's an extraordinary opportunity to change lives for the better and I'll continue to use every moment that's available to me to do so."
Uninspiring cabinet
But rival parties hit out at the "uninspiring" Cabinet from Mr Swinney, with Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy saying: "His is simply Humza Yousaf's cabinet with a different figurehead."
The Tory MSP added: "The return of Kate Forbes is a desperate attempt by both John Swinney and his new deputy to gloss over the huge splits in the SNP and fixate on independence.
"This uninspiring cabinet is further evidence that John Swinney as First Minister will just mean more of the same."
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: "This is a continuity cabinet, that cannot be trusted to fix the chaos and instability they have created."