The Scottish Executive is the devolved government for Scotland. It is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Scotland, including health, education, justice, rural affairs, and transport. (devolved and reserved matters)

It manages an annual budget of more than £20 billion in the financial year 2002-2003 that is due to rise to almost £26 billion in 2005-2006.

The Executive was established in 1999, following the first elections to the Scottish Parliament. It is a coalition between the Scottish Labour Party and the Scottish Liberal Democrat Party.

The Executive is led by a First Minister who is nominated by the Parliament and in turn appoints the other Scottish Ministers who make up the Cabinet

Executive civil servants are accountable to Scottish Minsters, who are themselves accountable to the Scottish Parliament.

The Executive's plans and priorities are set out in a Partnership Agreement which was drawn up following the 2003 election.