FINANCE Secretary Kate Forbes has announced she'll take maternity leave this summer for the birth of her first child.

Forbes, the only woman ever to hold the portfolio, is also the first serving cabinet secretary in the Scottish Government to take mat leave.

She'll keep her post and resume her duties upon her return.

It's not yet known who will cover her role while she's absent and her return date is yet to be agreed.

Forbes said: “My husband Ali and I are absolutely thrilled to announce we are expecting a baby later this year and we’re looking forward to welcoming a new member of our family.

“I am equally pleased to be the first serving cabinet secretary to take maternity leave in Scotland which I hope sends a clear and strong message that holding a senior leadership role in the public eye should not be a barrier to starting a family.

“For now, I remain focused on tackling the biggest issues of the day, including passing the 2022-2023 Scottish Budget later this week.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “On behalf of the Scottish Government, I want to offer the warmest of congratulations to Kate, Ali and their family on this lovely news.

“I am pleased Kate will be able to enjoy those precious early months with her new arrival and her wider family. This should never be a barrier to someone’s career, especially women in senior leadership roles. That’s why we are clear Kate is not leaving government. She will remain Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy while on leave and take up her duties again upon her return.”

Aileen Campbell, the former Minister for Children and Young People, was the first serving minister to take maternity leave. 

Forbes, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, entered parliament in 2016 and took up the senior post on the resignation of Derek Mackay in February 2020.

Congratulations have been extended from across the political spectrum and spheres of govnerment, with Cosla's Gail Macgregor, a Conservative councillor in Dumfries and Galloway who leads on budget negotiations for local authorities, welcoming the "wonderful news".

Labour's Monica Lennon tweeted her best wishes to the couple, with LibDem MP Tim Farron and Scottish Greens minister Lorna Slater also offering her congratulations.