Kate Forbes becomes first woman to deliver Scottish budget at 29 years old

Kate Forbes had less than a day’s notice to deliver budget following finance secretary Derek MacKay’s resignation

Kate Forbes MSP has become the first woman to deliver the Scottish budget, being given less than a day’s notice before doing so.

Earlier today, it was reported that Scotland's finance secretary, Derek MacKay, had resigned from his position after allegedly sending hundreds of messages to a 16-year-old boy.

After The Scottish Sun published a series of messages between Mr MacKay and the boy, the 42-year-old politician stated he was resigning with immediate effect.

Mr MacKay’s resignation came hours before he was due to outline the budget for the Scottish government’s 2020/2021 financial year.

Public finance minister Ms Forbes, a first-term parliamentarian, stepped in to deliver the budget, making her the first female politician to do so.

“Kate Forbes, 29 years old and a first-term parliamentarian, is about to set out a £34 billion budget with less than a day’s notice. And the first woman ever to do so at Holyrood or Westminster. Quite a moment for her...” tweeted political journalist Philip Sim.

“It’s a massive test, but also a huge opportunity for her,” he added.

While delivering her speech, Ms Forbes received praise from several Twitter users.

“Can I also say Kate Forbes is doing a sterling job; as a fellow twenty-something,” one person wrote.

“She was thrust into doing one of the biggest tasks of the year at literally hours notice, and she’s doing it amazingly well.”

“She is a real talent and will rise to an occasion we all wish came in better circumstances. Caberfeidh, Kate!” someone else stated.

After setting out the budget, Ms Forbes sat down next to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who patted her on the arm as the room applauded.

Scottish politician Murdo Fraser spoke next, beginning his question on the budget by saying he wanted to “congratulate” Ms Forbes on the delivery of her statement “in circumstances none of us wanted to see”.

“As an aside, I believe this is the first time the Scottish budget has been delivered by a woman and by an English-qualified chartered accountant,” Mr Fraser said.

Following the allegations made against Mr MacKay, he said he takes “full responsibility” for his actions.

“I have behaved foolishly and I am truly sorry,” he stated. “I apologise unreservedly to the individual involved and his family.”

The former finance secretary added that serving in the Scottish government “has been a huge privilege and I am sorry to have let colleagues and supporters down.”