Role of the first minister

• First Minister

  Leader of the political party with the largest number of MSP's elected to the Scottish Parliament
• The present First Minister is Humza Yousaf
• Humza Yousaf is the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP)
• Responsibilities of the First Minister

  • Responsible for the overall development, implementation and presentation of the government's policies
  • Responsible for promoting and representing Scotland at home and overseas
• Appointing the Cabinet

  1. The First Minister appoints their team of Cabinet Secretaries

  2. The Cabinet Secretaries have to be approved by parliament
• Main members of Humza Yousaf's cabinet

  • Shona Robison, Deputy First and Cabinet Secretary for Finance
  • Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care
  • Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
  • Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs
• Cabinet meetings

  1. The First Minister chairs weekly Cabinet meetings

  2. The main forum for ministers to consider and make key decisions on the strategic priorities and policies of the government
• Appointing law officers


  1. The First Minister recommends to the Monarch (the King) the appointment of the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General (the law officers')

  2. The law officers are also members of the Scottish Government
• Nominating judges


  The First Minister is responsible for nominating judges for appointment by the Monarch
• Participating in parliamentary debates

  The First Minister, as an MSP, will take part in regular debates and vote on important matters in the main chamber (Holyrood) of the Scottish Parliament
• Recent parliamentary debate


  • Douglas Lumsden questioned Kevin Stewart about the oil and gas industry, with more parties contributing as the debate progressed
• Accountability of the First Minister

  • The First Minister is accountable (answerable) to parliament
  • The First Minister faces questions every Thursday afternoon at First Minister's Question Time, when opposition leaders scrutinise their decisions and the government's work
• Pandemic communication


  During the COVID-19 pandemic, the First Minister held regular press briefings to inform the country of updates, changes to restrictions, and provide information surrounding vaccinations and boosters