Economy Directorates facts for kids

The Scottish Government Economy Directorates are a group of teams within the Scottish Government. They work together to help Scotland's economy grow and create good jobs. These teams were given their current name in July 2016. Before that, they had been reorganized several times, including in December 2010 and June 2014. In July 2021, some of their responsibilities moved to a new group called the Net Zero Directorates. This new group focuses on things like farming, marine life, energy, climate change, and transport.

The different teams within the Economy Directorates report to a main leader, Gregor Irwin, who is the Director-General.

Leaders and Their Roles

While there isn't a direct link between individual leaders (called Ministers) and each team, the work of the Economy Directorates helps several important Ministers. These include:

• The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Shona Robison MSP. She helps manage Scotland's money.
• The Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, Mairi McAllan MSP. She focuses on making sure the economy benefits everyone and on energy matters.
• The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP. She looks after Scotland's transport systems.

These main Ministers are also supported by other Ministers who focus on specific areas like small businesses, local government, community wealth, green skills, and the environment.

What the Directorates Do

The Economy Directorates were previously known as the Enterprise, Environment and Innovation Directorates. They include several important teams, each with a special job:

• Chief Economist Directorate: This team helps the government understand how the economy is doing and gives advice on economic matters.
• Culture and Major Events Directorate: This team supports arts, sports, and big events that happen in Scotland.
• Economic Development Directorate: This team works to help businesses grow and create more jobs across Scotland.
• International Trade and Investment Directorate: This team helps Scottish businesses trade with other countries and encourages companies from around the world to invest in Scotland.
• Jobs and Wellbeing Economy Directorate: This team focuses on creating good, fair jobs and making sure the economy helps improve everyone's lives.

Other Groups They Work With

The Economy Directorates used to be responsible for some other important groups, but many of these responsibilities have now moved to the Net Zero Directorates. These groups are called agencies or non-departmental public bodies, and they help the government with specific tasks.

Some of the groups that used to be connected to the Economy Directorates include:

• Forestry and Land Scotland: This group manages Scotland's national forests and land.
• Scottish Forestry: This group is responsible for forestry policy and grants in Scotland.
• Cairngorms National Park Authority: This group looks after the Cairngorms National Park.
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority: This group manages the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
• James Hutton Institute: This institute carries out scientific research on land, crops, and the environment.
• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh: This is a famous garden and scientific center that studies plants.
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency: This agency works to protect Scotland's environment.
• NatureScot: This organization works to protect Scotland's natural environment and landscapes.

A Look Back in Time

Before the Enterprise, Environment and Innovation Directorates were created in June 2014, this group was known as the Enterprise, Environment and Digital Directorates starting from December 2010. Even further back, before 2007, similar work was done by an older government department called the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD).

See also

• Elin Jones Minister for Rural Affairs in Wales