Ben Macpherson resigns as government minister

Ben Macpherson has resigned from the Scottish Government for health-related issues.  

He was appointed Minister for Innovation, Technology & Tertiary Education in May, following the SNP’s election win.  

Macpherson has served in previous Scottish Government ministerial roles such as public finance, social security, and higher education.  

Writing to First Minister John Swinney today, he said he had “reflected very deeply in recent months about my position and priorities in my life”, and needed “more time to be able to attend to other important pressures, people and purposes, including my mental and physical well-being”.  

He said: “Without the constraints and demands of a ministerial role, I also want to have more time and scope to serve my constituency of Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith, and to pursue various political passions outwith government. Therefore, I have come to the very difficult decision that holding ministerial office is not right for me at this time, and I wish to pass it on. I will do all that I can to support a handover to my successor.

“I was very proud to rejoin the government in September 2025, and to serve you and Scotland again, using my experience to pick up the role quickly and get meaningful things done. I have worked hard and carried the responsibility carefully, to make a real impact and achieve positive progress. Thank you for this remarkable honour.”

Macpherson added: “My apologies to you and all involved for the inconvenience of this resignation, and thank you for kindly understanding my reasoning. Again, this has been a very difficult decision for me, and I reiterate strongly my support for both you and the government.”

In response to the resignation, Swinney thanked him for his “significant contribution in government”.

He said: “I know you have been closely involved in work to co-design and co-deliver the future of Scotland’s college and university sectors – work that has cross-party support. And, I know that during your time in post you gave a fresh impetus to our support for youth work and made great strides in improving our apprenticeship system and strategic skills planning, in close cooperation with the business community.

“In previous ministerial roles, during your time in social security, you were closely involved with the expansion of the Scottish Child Payment and launching the Adult Disability Payment. And your work in international development remains relevant to the programme we take forward in this area to this day.

“These are but a few examples of your contribution from your time in a wide range of portfolios - including finance, external affairs, rural affairs and climate, as well as in education most recently.”

Swinney said he hoped Macpherson’s time out of government would “lead you to a stronger, more resilient place”.