Economy Directorates facts for kids

The Scottish Government Economy Directorates are special teams within the Scottish Government. Think of them as different groups of people who work together to make Scotland's economy strong and fair. They help create jobs, support businesses, and make sure everyone has a chance to succeed.

These teams got their current name, the Economy Directorates, in July 2016. Before that, they had different names and were organised in different ways, like in 2010 and 2014. In 2021, some of their responsibilities, like farming, marine life, energy, and transport, moved to a new group called the Net Zero Directorates. This new group focuses on helping Scotland become more environmentally friendly.

All the individual teams within the Economy Directorates work under a main leader called the Director-General. Currently, this is Gregor Irwin.

Who Works with the Economy Directorates?

While there isn't a direct boss-employee link between government Ministers and these teams, the Directorates do a lot of work that helps Ministers achieve their goals. These Ministers are important people in the Scottish Government who lead different areas.

For example, the work of the Economy Directorates helps the Deputy First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Shona Robison MSP. They also support the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, Mairi McAllan MSP, who focuses on making sure the economy benefits everyone and provides good jobs. The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, also works closely with them.

Other Ministers who get support from these teams include those responsible for small businesses, local government, community wealth, green skills, and energy.

What Teams Make Up the Economy Directorates?

The Economy Directorates are made up of several important teams, each with a specific job. Before July 2016, this group was known as the Enterprise, Environment and Innovation Directorates.

Here are the main teams that work together within the Economy Directorates:

• Chief Economist Directorate: This team has experts who study the economy and give advice to the government. They help understand how the economy is doing and what might happen next.
• Culture and Major Events Directorate: This team supports arts, culture, and big events in Scotland. They help make sure Scotland is a vibrant place with lots to see and do, which also helps the economy.
• Economic Development Directorate: This team works on growing Scotland's economy. They might help new businesses start up or support existing ones to expand.
• International Trade and Investment Directorate: This team helps Scottish businesses sell their products and services to other countries. They also encourage companies from other countries to invest in Scotland.
• Jobs and Wellbeing Economy Directorate: This team focuses on creating good jobs and making sure the economy helps everyone in Scotland live well.

What Other Groups Work with the Directorates?

The Economy Directorates used to be in charge of some important agencies, but many of these have now moved to the Net Zero Directorates. These agencies help manage Scotland's natural resources and environment.

Some of the groups that were previously linked to the Economy Directorates include:

• Forestry and Land Scotland: This agency manages Scotland's national forests and land.
• Scottish Forestry: This group helps promote and regulate forestry in Scotland.

The Directorates also used to support several other public bodies, which are like independent organisations that do specific jobs for the public. Most of these have also moved to the Net Zero Directorates:

• Cairngorms National Park Authority: Manages the beautiful Cairngorms National Park.
• Crofters Commission: Supports crofters, who are small-scale farmers in the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority: Manages the stunning Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
• James Hutton Institute: A science organisation that researches land, crops, and water.
• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh: A famous garden and research centre for plants.
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency: Helps protect Scotland's environment.
• NatureScot: Scotland's nature agency, working to protect and improve nature.

How the Directorates Have Changed Over Time

The way the Scottish Government organises its teams changes over time to best meet the country's needs. Before the Enterprise, Environment and Innovation Directorates were created in June 2014, the group was known as the Enterprise, Environment and Digital Directorates, starting in December 2010.

Even further back, before 2007, similar work was done by an older department called the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD). This shows how the government constantly adapts its structure to focus on different important areas, like the economy and the environment.

See also

• Elin Jones Minister for Rural Affairs in Wales