Latest news with #NetZeroandEnergy
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
John Swinney announces new Scottish Cabinet ministers
With a largely unchanged team, the "minimalist" reshuffle comes after the SNP's loss to Labour in the Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse by-election. Despite the by-election loss and internal splits, the party continues to lead in the polls ahead of next year's election, with Swinney saying the Government must 'deliver on the priorities of the people of Scotland'. Future leadership contenders such as Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and McAllan were seen entering Bute House on Tuesday morning. McAllan has returned from maternity leave, and a new Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister has been appointed following the death of Christina McKelvie. Paul McLennan has left government as his ministerial role is developed into a cabinet role, and Alasdair Allan will leave his post at end of this week after assuming the temporary role of climate action. See the full Cabinet here: Here is the full list of who holds which Cabinet position in the new SNP minority government: Kate Forbes, the youngest-ever Deputy First Minister, will remain with the economy portfolio and responsibility for Gaelic Shona Robison remains in Cabinet with responsibility for finance and local government Jenny Gilruth remains Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Angela Constance remains Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Gillian Martin remains in Cabinet with responsibility for Net Zero and Energy portfolio Fiona Hyslop remains Cabinet Secretary for Transport Mairi McAllan returns in a new role, Cabinet Secretary for Housing Neil Gray remains Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Shirley-Anne Somerville remains Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Angus Robertson remains Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Mairi Gougeon remains Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands The changes mean the Scottish Cabinet now consists of twelve MSPs, including the First Minister, the majority of whom are women. Further changes mean the ministerial team reduces to eleven, from fourteen. Here's the full list of junior ministers in the SNP minority government: Minister for Parliamentary Business – Jamie Hepburn Minister for Business and Employment – Richard Lochhead Minister for Public Finance – Ivan McKee Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise – Natalie Don Minister for Higher and Further Education and Minister for Veterans – Graeme Dey Minister for Victims and Community Safety – Siobhian Brown Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity – Jim Fairlie Minister for Public Health and Women's Health – Jenni Minto Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport – Tom Arthur Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy – Maree Todd Minister for Equalities – Kaukab Stewart Arthur was previously minister for employment and investment. His investment responsibilities will be assumed by Forbes, while Lochhead's extended responsibilities see him become Minister for Business and Employment. The reshuffle comes amid discontent within the party which was sparked by the party's underwhelming by-election result in Hamilton last week. A reported meeting of 25 senior SNP figures took place on Monday night where the removal of Swinney as party leader was discussed.
ITV News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Galloway MSP says he understands no majority for National Park as consultation considered
An MSP in Galloway has suggested a consultation paper sent to Government Ministers on a proposed national park in the area shows a majority of locals do not support the plans. Finlay Carson, Conservative MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, said in Holyrood today: "It is my understanding that there is not a majority in favour of the national park proposal and that a full designation order is unlikely to be made." He added: "The designation process in Galloway has been less than satisfactory. "There have been significant issues, including a perceived bias and a lack of any detail on how a Galloway national park would or could be different from the two existing national parks, given the area's hugely important dairy farming, forestry and renewables sectors. That has resulted in mistrust and divisions within communities, which will take years to heal." In response Gillian Martin, the Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy said: "As Mr Carson knows, there was a thorough and comprehensive consultation process—5,000 consultation surveys were completed and more than 30 consultation events were held across the area covered by the proposals, with more than 1,000 people attending. "The rural affairs secretary has to look at the results of the consultation and take them seriously. An awful lot of information is included in the consultation, and she will advise the Parliament when she is ready to do so." ITV News Border's Scottish Political Editor, Kieran Andrews, said three well placed sources he'd spoken to suggested the consultation threw "serious doubt over whether the plans can go ahead." Sources told Andrews that when it came to people in favour, and against, the plans in the consultation the numbers were "close." But he added: "The fact support is not overwhelming is a big blow to the plans." Scottish Government Ministers will ultimately make the decision on whether to confirm Galloway as the site for a new National Park. What is the Galloway National Park proposal? Last summer Galloway was selected as the proposed site for a new National Park by Scottish Government Ministers. Nature Scot then launched a consultation speaking to local people and businesses about the proposals. The report has now been presented to Government Ministers - but it's not yet been released to the public. They have become incredibly controversial, with a 'No Galloway National Park' group set up to oppose the plans. The group has since held protests and attracted thousands of followers on social media. In February, Dumfries and Galloway Council said it was 'undecided' on whether the plans should go ahead.
