Ministerial role

Secretary of State for Scotland

Organisations: Scotland Office
Current role holder: The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP

Responsibilities

The Secretary of State for Scotland is the UK Government Cabinet Minister representing Scotland. They act as the custodian of the Scottish devolution settlement, represent Scottish interests within the UK Government, and advocate for the UK Government’s policies in Scotland.

They also promote partnership between the UK Government and the Scottish Government, as well as relations between the UK and Scottish Parliaments.

Current role holder

The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP

Douglas Alexander was appointed Secretary of State for Scotland on 5 September 2025.

He previously Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade between 6 July 2024 and 5 September 2025, and Minister of State in the Cabinet Office between 10 February 2025 and 5 September 2025.

He was elected as the MP for Lothian East in July 2024.

More about this person

Previous holders of this role

  1. The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP

    2024 to 2025

  2. The Rt Hon Alister Jack

    2019 to 2024

  3. The Rt Hon David Mundell MP

    2015 to 2019

  4. The Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP

    2013 to 2015

  5. The Rt Hon Michael Moore

    2010 to 2013