The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport is a position in the Scottish cabinet since May 2024. The current Cabinet Secretary is Stephen Flynn, who has served since May 2026.
The Cabinet Secretary is supported by the Minister for Business and Employment, Richard Lochhead.
History The role was first titled Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, with the initial holder being Keith Brown, who was appointed in May 2016. At its inception, the Cabinet Secretary had responsibilities for the Scottish economy, infrastructure, trade and investment, business, industry, employment, trade unions and energy. The Cabinet Secretary was assisted by the Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy and the Minister for Employability and Training.
The post was abolished in June 2018, with the "economy" part of the brief moving to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work and the infrastructure responsibilities moving to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity.
In February 2020, a Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture was appointed, taking over many of the responsibilities of the former portfolio, which were thus again held separately from the Finance brief. The role was later once again remerged with the Finance brief to create the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, held by Kate Forbes.
Under First Minister Humza Yousaf, Neil Gray was appointed as Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Secretary, with the Finance brief again becoming a separate post. Following a reshuffle, Màiri McAllan held the portfolio of Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy.
In May 2024, John Swinney retitled the role to Economy and Gaelic, and appointed Kate Forbes concurrently with her role of Deputy First Minister of Scotland. McAllan retained the other part of her role as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy.
Overview
Responsibilities
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport is responsible for:
Economy
economic policy and prosperity business, industry, manufacturing support, and entrepreneurship Scottish National Investment Bank Office of the Chief Economic Adviser green industrial strategy long-term labour market strategy inward investment and global capital investment enterprise agencies engagement with UK Government on Shared Funds government investments (Prestwick, Fergusons, BiFab) City Region Deals and Regional Growth Deals
Tourism
tourism policy, strategy and support retail policy food and drink policy, strategy and support Food Standards Scotland
Transport
national transport strategy, infrastructure improvements, and strategic projects public transport policy bus services and concessionary fares freight industry rail services ferry services maritime policy and ports island connectivity roads, road safety, and low emission zones transport resilience and major events accessible transport active travel (including cycling infrastructure) decarbonisation and just transition of transport (including reduction on car miles) aviation and air services (including HIAL) Transport Scotland and other transport bodies Traffic Scotland, transport data, and information systems Scottish Canals
Public bodies The following public bodies report to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport: Scottish Enterprise Highlands and Islands Enterprise South of Scotland Enterprise Scottish National Investment Bank Glasgow Prestwick Airport Ferguson Marine BiFab Transport Scotland Traffic Scotland Scottish Rail Holdings ScotRail Caledonian Sleeper HIAL Scottish Canals Regional Transport Partnerships (Minister responsible)
VisitScotland (Minister responsible) Food Standards Scotland
List of Economy Secretaries
As is typical of Scottish government roles, the Economy portfolio has gone through many iterations since its inception. The current holder is Stephen Flynn, who has held the role since May 2026.
NamePortraitEntered officeLeft officePartyFirst Minister Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Keith Brown18 May 201626 June 2018Scottish National PartyNicola SturgeonCabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work Derek Mackay26 June 20185 February 2020Scottish National PartyNicola SturgeonCabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture Fiona Hyslop17 February 202019 May 2021Scottish National PartyNicola SturgeonCabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy Kate Forbes19 May 202128 March 2023Scottish National PartyNicola Sturgeon John Swinney served as Acting Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy during the maternity leave of Kate Forbes from 16 July 2022 to 28 March 2023.Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Neil Gray29 March 20238 February 2024Scottish National PartyHumza YousafCabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan8 February 20248 May 2024Scottish National Party Humza YousafCabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes9 May 202420 May 2026Scottish National Party John Swinney Stephen Flynn21 May 2026Incumbent Scottish National PartyJohn Swinney
References
External links The Scottish Cabinet