Scottish Government and Parliament definitions: FOI release

Information requested

1. What is the Scottish Government ?

2. How many elected individuals form part of the Scottish Government?

3. What is the difference between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament?

Response

The information you have requested is publicly available. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. However, in the interest of being helpful, I have included some of the information and links to where you can access more details below.

Question 1 – The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland and has a range of responsibilities that include: the economy, education, health, justice, rural affairs, housing, environment, equal opportunities, consumer advocacy and advice, transport and taxation.

Further information is available on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/about/.

Question 2 – The Scottish Government website lists the current Scottish Cabinet and current Ministers.

The First Minister, Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers are all currently elected Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). In total, there are 25 MSPs undertaking these roles.

Further information is available at https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/ and at https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/.

Question 3 – The Scottish Parliament website includes a helpful guide explaining the difference between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. This can be accessed at https://www.parliament.scot/about/how-parliament-works/difference-between-parliament-andgovernment.

About FOI

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