The Minister for Equalities & International Development is a Junior ministerial post in the Scottish Government. As a result, the Minister does not attend the Scottish Cabinet.Scotland Act (1998), Only those appointed under Section 47 of the Scotland Act "attend" Cabinet. Junior ministers are appointed under Section 49 and may be "present". The post was created in June 2018 under the title 'Minister for Older People and Equalities: the Minister supports the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, who is a full member of cabinet.
The incumbent Minister is Simita Kumar since 21 May 2026.
Overview The Minister for Older People and Equalities had specific responsibility for promoting and coordinating policy in support of:
Social equality with respect to gender, sexuality, race, and disability The protection and development of social and human rights Equality for and the needs of Older people
The current post holds the following responsibilities: mainstreaming of equality and human rights diversity, inclusion and equalities, including disability, older people, women, gender, LGBTI and race, including Gypsy/Traveller community social isolation and loneliness strategy faith and belief population and migration New Scots strategy refugees and asylum seekers displaced peoples
List of office holders NamePortraitEntered officeLeft officePartyFirst MinisterMinister for Social Security Jeane Freeman19 May 201628 June 2018Scottish National PartyNicola Sturgeon Minister for Older People and Equalities Christina McKelvie28 June 201829 March 2023Scottish National PartyNicola Sturgeon Minister for Social Security and Local GovernmentBen Macpherson20 May 202129 March 2023Scottish National PartyNicola SturgeonMinister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees Emma Roddick29 March 20238 May 2024Scottish National PartyHumza Yousaf Minister for Equalities Kaukab Stewart 8 May 202420 May 2026Scottish National PartyJohn Swinney Minister for Equalities & International Development Simita Kumar21 May 2026IncumbentScottish National PartyJohn Swinney
See also Scottish Parliament
References
External links Minister for Older People and Equalities on Scottish Government website