The Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy (), commonly referred to as the Wellbeing Economy Secretary (), is a Scottish Government Cabinet position with responsibility for the economy of Scotland. The role in it current form is effectively a recreation of the former position of Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work.
The cabinet secretary is supported by three ministers, the Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, the Minister for Energy, and the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity.
History
The Europe and External Affairs brief was instituted in 2000 and combined with Education as the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs which was a Cabinet position in the McLeish Government. After 2001 the Europe and External Affairs Brief was abolished as a ministerial position. From 1999 to 2001, the Culture brief was a junior post in the Scottish Government as Deputy Minister for Culture and Sport. It was made into a Cabinet position as Minister for Culture and Sport in the First McConnell government from 2001 to 2003. The Second McConnell government from 2003 to 2007 combined the Culture and Sport brief with Tourism to form a Cabinet post in the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport. Culture was combined with External Affairs and Europe, to form a junior ministerial position, of Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture in the Salmond government following the 2007 Scottish Parliament election. In February 2009 the role was expanded to deal with constitutional issues this additional role was later removed in December 2009 following the publication of the National Conversation. After the 2011 Scottish Parliament election the office-holder returned to the Cabinet with the junior ministerial post being transformed into the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs. After the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, the post was retitled Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs.
In February 2020 the existing Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop took on additional responsibilities for economic matters from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy (that role becoming the Cabinet Secretary for Finance), whilst responsibility for external affairs was transferred to the Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations, with that post being renamed Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs. Tourism moved to the Rural Economy brief. On 19 May 2021 the position ceased to exist with the re-creation of the positions of Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy and the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture. It was recreated in its current form on 29 March 2023, with Neil Gray being appointed to the position.
Overview
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy:
Support for business, industry and manufacturing
Wellbeing economy and inclusive growth
Cities investment and strategy
City Centre Recovery Taskforce
National Strategy for Economic Transformation
Enterprise agencies
Scottish National Investment Bank
Office of the Chief Economic Adviser
Industrial strategy
Regional economic partnerships
Support for economic transformation
Women's employment
Women in business and addressing the gender pay gap
Supply chain development programmes
Infrastructure Investment
Clyde Mission
City and Regional Growth Deals
Government investments (Prestwick, Fergusons, BiFab) Employment and Jobs Long-term labour market strategy Fair work (including living wage and living hours) Employability programmes Effective worker voice, including trade unions Workplace equalities (including gender, disability and race employment) Engagement with UK Government on various economy-focused funds Shared prosperity fund, levelling up fund, ESIF Oil and gas
Public bodies
The following public bodies reported to the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy: Scottish Enterprise Highlands and Islands Enterprise South of Scotland Enterprise Scottish National Investment Bank Glasgow Prestwick Airport Ferguson Marine BiFab
List of office holders
Cabinet position
Junior Minister
See also
Scottish Parliament
Scottish Government
References
External links
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture on the Scottish Government website