Yousaf promises ‘bold approach’ to Government from his new Cabinet

First Minister Humza Yousaf has pledged his Cabinet will take a “bold approach” to the issues facing Scotland as his top team met for the first time.

Mr Yousaf chaired the first meeting of his new Cabinet – which he appointed on Wednesday after he was sworn in as Scotland’s sixth First Minister.

The meeting at Bute House in Edinburgh took place after a number of new Cabinet secretaries – Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, Net-Zero and Just Transition Secretary Mair McAllan, Justice Secretary Angela Constance, and Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Secretary Neil Gray – were formally sworn in at the Court of Session.

With the First Minister planning to make a statement to MSPs after the Easter recess, there was a “substantive discussion” at the Cabinet meeting on the new Government’s priorities.

Mr Yousaf and Deputy First Minister Shona Robison also held a meeting with key figures from local authority body Cosla on Friday.

Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Mr Yousaf said he had made clear he wants his Cabinet to be a forum for open and honest discussion.

He said: “This Government has a strong track of taking forward ambitious and radical policies and reforms over the last few years, against a backdrop of austerity, economic uncertainty and of course the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Under my leadership, the ministerial team have been tasked with taking a bold approach to how we govern – not just in addressing the challenges facing the people of Scotland, but also maximising the opportunities of our many strengths.”

He said his Government’s key priorities will include eradicating poverty and delivering a “wellbeing economy underpinned by sustainable public services”.

He added: “I will set out more detail to Parliament following Easter recess, but in the next couple of weeks Cabinet members will be busy getting down to work on the immediate issues in their portfolios.”

Animal rights campaigners have voiced concern that the new Government does not appear to include a minister with responsibility for animal welfare.

Graeme Corbet of Animal Concern said: “We sincerely hope this does not represent a downgrading of the department or reflect that animal welfare is now less of a priority for the Scottish Government.”