11 May 2016

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon held the first press conference of the new parliamentary session in her residence Bute House, Edinburgh.

The highlights of the statement are here:

The press conference was attended by journalists based in the Scottish Parliament, who had the opportunity to ask the First Minister questions after her statement.

And here we go @NicolaSturgeon as @ScotGovFM at Bute House pic.twitter.com/Xz6nTmO5vF

— Peter MacMahon (@petermacmahon) May 11, 2016

The First Minister announced her intention to appoint her Cabinet next week, where she will split the role of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy into separate portfolios, in order to put greater emphasis on Scotland’s future economic prosperity. She said the new cabinet secretary for the economy will:

…focus entirely on supporting the economy and engaging intensively with business to make sure we’re doing everything possible to stimulate growth, boost productivity, and protect and create well-paid jobs.”

The First Minister also expressed her preference for longer First Minister’s Questions, currently scheduled for half an hour at noon on Thursdays during the parliamentary session, and her willingness to appear before Holyrood committees more often.

The new parliamentary session

The Kirking of the Scottish Parliament takes place on May 11 in St Giles’ Cathedral. The first business of the Parliament is for MSPs to take the Oath of Allegiance or Solemn Affirmation at parliament, then the First Minister will take office on appointment by Her Majesty the Queen and after being sworn in at the Court of Session.