Ivan McKee

Exclusive

Swinney 'jolted' talks, says COSLA chief as he calls for council shake-up slowdown

Council leaders have urged the Scottish Government not to "hurry into a costly reorganisation that will throw up more questions than answers".

First Minister John Swinney announced a major shake-up of public services when he set out his Programme for Government.

First Minister John Swinney announced a major shake-up of public services when he set out his Programme for Government.

Public services shake-up leaves 'unanswered questions' over jobs and timescales

Public Service Reform Secretary Ivan McKee.

Public Service Reform Secretary Ivan McKee.

'Nonsense': Fresh blow for Scottish Government over public service shake-up

Ivan McKee couldn't convince the SNP on public sector reform.

Ivan McKee couldn't convince the SNP on public sector reform.

If the SNP can't be convinced on public sector reform, we've got a problem

Ivan McKee addresses a fringe meeting at the SNP conference in Aberdeen amid growing controversy over the Scottish Government’s public service reform plans.

Ivan McKee addresses a fringe meeting at the SNP conference in Aberdeen amid growing controversy over the Scottish Government’s public service reform plans.

Ivan McKee accused of being ‘disrespectful’ in heated NHS reform clash

Victoria Quay - Scottish Government building.

Victoria Quay - Scottish Government building.

Ministers have 'appetite' to weaken no compulsory redundancy protection, union claims

A voluntary exit scheme had been opened for Band C Scottish Government civil servants.

A voluntary exit scheme had been opened for Band C Scottish Government civil servants.

Civil servants to be offered 'eyewatering' exit deals under reform cuts

Is it time for the Scottish Government to crack down on civil servants working from home?

Is it time for the Scottish Government to crack down on civil servants working from home?

Scottish civil servants face losing home-working rights under new office crackdown

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Government challenged over definition of ‘green’ data centres amid 'mixed messages'

VisitScotland is to close its network of information centres

VisitScotland is to close its network of information centres

VisitScotland axed staff after ministers approved compulsory redundancies at agency

No compulsory redundancy policy never banned compulsory redundancies says government

McKee accepts compulsory redundancy could be 'endpoint' for public sector workers

The Scottish Government offices in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh

The Scottish Government offices in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh

Managers in Scotland's public sector face cuts as directors made high 'priority'

Ivan McKee MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform pictured during an interview at the Scottish Parliament with The Herald's deputy political editor Rebecca McCurdy.

Ivan McKee MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform pictured during an interview at the Scottish Parliament with The Herald's deputy political editor Rebecca McCurdy.

Public sector reform needs strong leadership. Scotland needs someone in charge

Ivan McKee MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform pictured in his office at the Scottish Parliament.

Ivan McKee MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform pictured in his office at the Scottish Parliament.

The question Scottish Government couldn't answer on civil service home working

Public services could be damaged by planned cuts, GMB Scotland has said.

Public services could be damaged by planned cuts, GMB Scotland has said.

'Cuts by another name': Scathing attack on SNP public sector reform plans

First Minister John Swinney addresses delegates during the STUC conference in the Caird Hall, Dundee earlier this year.

First Minister John Swinney addresses delegates during the STUC conference in the Caird Hall, Dundee earlier this year.

Trade unions say SNP’s plan to cut 20,000 public sector jobs will damage services

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney speaks to the media following the announcement of the new members of the Scottish Cabinet at Bute House in Edinburgh.

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney speaks to the media following the announcement of the new members of the Scottish Cabinet at Bute House in Edinburgh.

Senior minister cannot be 'Cabinet Secretary for 20,000 job cuts', warns union boss

Glasgow City Council rejected an application to turn the unit into a takeaway.

Glasgow City Council rejected an application to turn the unit into a takeaway.

Minister knocks back calls for extra funding to police rogue vape shops

Finance Secretary Shona Robison with First Minister John Swinney (left) and Ivan McKee (centre)

Finance Secretary Shona Robison with First Minister John Swinney (left) and Ivan McKee (centre)

Affordable housing

Scottish Government delays implementation of controversial 'cladding tax'

Ivan McKee wants apologies from Labour and the Lib Dems

Ivan McKee wants apologies from Labour and the Lib Dems

Finance committee loses patience with SNP minister over ‘ludicrous’ budget ‘mirage’

Public finance minister Ivan McKee

Public finance minister Ivan McKee

Public finance minister travels to Poland on mission to help rebuild Ukraine

John Swinney faces a parliamentary grilling over Scotland's public pensions scandal.

John Swinney faces a parliamentary grilling over Scotland's public pensions scandal.

Swinney faces public grilling as he 'snubs' retirees in £1.7bn pensions scandal

Watchdog probe as Scots threaten 'heads must roll' legal action over pensions scandal

Watchdog probe as Scots threaten 'heads must roll' legal action over pensions scandal

Watchdog probe as Scots threaten 'heads must roll' legal action over pensions scandal

Pensioners have warned First Minister John Swinney of legal action if heads do not roll over a £1.7bn public pensions scandal.

Pensioners have warned First Minister John Swinney of legal action if heads do not roll over a £1.7bn public pensions scandal.

Revealed: Scots £1.7bn public pensions bill scandal locks out thousands

the keel laying for the newly named MV Loch Indaal

the keel laying for the newly named MV Loch Indaal

Labour offers to help SNP reform procurement rules to keep jobs in Scotland

US President Donald Trump during a meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, at Trump Turnberry

US President Donald Trump during a meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, at Trump Turnberry

‘No sign’ Trump tariffs on Scotch whisky will increase, says Ian Murray

Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee

Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee

Scottish Minister describes lawyers' comments on Palestine 'utter nonsense'

Holyrood drowning in strategies

Holyrood drowning in strategies

I want to believe in Scotland’s new public service reform plan — but I'm sceptical

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney during his speech on national renewal and prevention, at the Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE) at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, setting out plans to renew Scotland's public services and ensure they

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney during his speech on national renewal and prevention, at the Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE) at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, setting out plans to renew Scotland's public services and ensure they

STUC leader in warning to Swinney ahead of £1bn crackdown on public sector 'waste'

First Minister John Swinney

First Minister John Swinney

2026 Holyrood election

Does a civil service shake-up loom in the £1bn crackdown on public sector waste?

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney during his speech on national renewal and prevention, at the Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE) at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, on Monday.

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney during his speech on national renewal and prevention, at the Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE) at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, on Monday.

SNP ministers to unveil £1 billion crackdown on public sector 'waste'

SNP ministers refuse to recall Flamingo Land planning decision despite backlash

SNP ministers refuse to recall Flamingo Land planning decision despite backlash

SNP ministers refuse to recall Flamingo Land planning decision despite backlash

John Swinney and Kate Forbes have stabilised the SNP, but change is needed

John Swinney and Kate Forbes have stabilised the SNP, but change is needed

Andy Maciver: Swinney will do a reshuffle... but how radical will he be?

Elon Musk has set the template for successful people from the private sector advising government

Elon Musk has set the template for successful people from the private sector advising government

Andy Maciver: Let's learn from Elon Musk: we need million-pound civil servants

Finance Secretary Shona Robison with First Minister John Swinney (left) and Ivan McKee (centre)

Finance Secretary Shona Robison with First Minister John Swinney (left) and Ivan McKee (centre)

Ivan McKee: We can’t afford waste in public spending – here’s how we fix it

Elon Musk and Ellon Musk

Elon Musk and Ellon Musk

I’m no fan of James Watt, but 'Ellon Musk' might have a point on government spending

First Minister John Swinney giving a speech at Playfair Library in Edinburgh

First Minister John Swinney giving a speech at Playfair Library in Edinburgh

Swinney accused of 'pulling wool over public's eyes' in row over £200m savings claim

Planning permission waiting times 'concerning' admits government minister

Planning permission waiting times 'concerning' admits government minister

Planning permission waiting times 'concerning' admits government minister

Ivan McKee at the Scottish Parliament

Ivan McKee at the Scottish Parliament

Tax hikes unlikely in Scottish budget as McKee warns of diminishing returns

Trump victory in US election would be a 'disaster' warns Scottish minister

Trump victory in US election would be a 'disaster' warns Scottish minister

Trump victory in US election would be a 'disaster' warns Scottish minister

First Minister John Swinney and finance secretary Shona Robison

First Minister John Swinney and finance secretary Shona Robison

SNP consider supermarket and private jet taxes to strike Budget deal with Greens

Lorna Slater, the co-leader of the Scottish Greens (Jane Barlow/PA)

Lorna Slater, the co-leader of the Scottish Greens (Jane Barlow/PA)

Lorna Slater signals Greens' opposition to SNP budget, says party ready for election

Scottish Government underspent budget by nearly £300m last year

Scottish Government underspent budget by nearly £300m last year

Scottish Government underspent budget by nearly £300m last year

Police Scotland has launched a 'Hate Monster' campaign to combat hate crime

Police Scotland has launched a 'Hate Monster' campaign to combat hate crime

Police Hate Monster campaign demonising 'young working class men' warns SNP MSP

Mr McKee said that Humza Yousaf's Government had failed to deliver economic strategy

Mr McKee said that Humza Yousaf's Government had failed to deliver economic strategy

Former SNP Minister warns ScotGov 'chasing headlines over delivering for business'

Glasgow is renowned for its street art scene

Glasgow is renowned for its street art scene

Glasgow City Council

Fresh concerns raised over 'commercial exploitation' of Glasgow street art scene

A pro-refugee march through the streets of Glasgow from Glasgow Green to Hope Street.

A pro-refugee march through the streets of Glasgow from Glasgow Green to Hope Street.

Scotland is 'lagging behind' on taking in asylum seekers, says former minister

Humza Yousaf and Ivan McKee

Humza Yousaf and Ivan McKee

Yousaf urged to attract English workers to 'drive up the talent pool'

Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)

SNP MSP takes aim at Scottish Government over aim to reset relations with business

Kate Forbes: Ministers must

Kate Forbes: Ministers must

Kate Forbes: Ministers must "do more with powers it has" to end poverty

Former business and trade minister Ivan McKee.

Former business and trade minister Ivan McKee.

Ivan McKee hits back at claims he left government as he wasn't promoted to Cabinet

First Minister Humza Yousaf. Photo Colin Mearns/The Herald.

First Minister Humza Yousaf. Photo Colin Mearns/The Herald.

Business raise concerns over McKee exit and say relations must improve

'Misrepresentation': Briefings contradict minister's ferry fiasco 'on target' claim

'Misrepresentation': Briefings contradict minister's ferry fiasco 'on target' claim

Edward Mountain

'Misrepresentation': Briefings contradict minister's ferry fiasco 'on target' claim