First Minister of Scotland

First Minister of Scotland
Scottish Gaelic: Prìomh Mhinistear na h-Alba

Flag of Scotland
Incumbent
John Swinney
since 8 May 2024
Office of the First Minister
Scottish Government
Scottish Cabinet
Scottish Parliament
StyleFirst Minister and Keeper of the Scottish Seal[1]
(formal)
First Minister
(informal)
The Right Honourable
(UK and Commonwealth)
His/Her Excellency[2]
(international)
StatusHead of government
Member of
Reports toScottish Parliament
ResidenceBute House
SeatSt Andrew's House
NominatorScottish Parliament
AppointerThe monarch
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
(following nomination by the Scottish Parliament)
Inaugural holderDonald Dewar
Formation17 May 1999 (1999-05-17)
DeputyDeputy First Minister of Scotland
Salary£165,678 per annum (2023)[a][4]
(including £67,662 MSP salary)
Websitefirstminister.gov.scot Edit this at Wikidata

The first minister of Scotland[b], formally known as the First Minister and Keeper of the Scottish Seal,[5] is the head of government of Scotland. The first minister leads the Scottish Government, the executive branch of the devolved government and is the keeper of the Great Seal, one of the great officers of state in 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, as part of the Scottish Government's approach to international relations.[6] The first minister is nominated by the Scottish Parliament by members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), and is formally appointed by the monarch.

Members of the Scottish Cabinet and junior ministers of the Scottish Government are appointed by the first minister. The first minister is directly accountable to the Scottish Parliament for their actions and the actions of the wider government and cabinet. Additionally, the first minister is responsible for appointing the country's law officers – the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General for Scotland, as well as nominating and appointing the Lord President of the Court of Session, the Lord Justice Clerk and Senator's of the College of Justice, judges who sit within the Supreme Courts of Scotland.[7]

The first minister is supported by their deputy first minister, as well as cabinet secretaries, junior ministers, government directorates and civil servants. The first minister is advised on matters by their chief of staff.[8][9] The office is currently held by John Swinney, the MSP for Perthshire North and the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP). Swinney was elected first minister by the Scottish Parliament on 7 May 2024, and was sworn in the following day at the Court of Session.[10]

  1. ^ "The Keeper". insideros.blog. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Nicola Sturgeon named as global advocate for UN gender equality campaign". BelfastTelegraph. 6 February 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020. UN under-secretary-general Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka said: "It is my honour to announce today her excellency Ms Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, as an inaugural HeForShe global advocate for gender equality.
  3. ^ "Five things about Scottish politicians' tax returns". BBC News Online. 7 February 2023.
  4. ^ "MSP salaries". parliament.scot. The Scottish Parliament. 5 April 2023.
  5. ^ "The Keeper - The Great Seal of Scotland". insideros.blog. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  6. ^ "About the Scottish Government > Who runs government > First Minister". Scottish Government. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  7. ^ "Scotland Act 1998". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  8. ^ "Government structure". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  9. ^ "Who runs government". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  10. ^ "John Swinney officially sworn in as Scotland's seventh First Minister". STV News. 8 May 2024.


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