Executive rebrands itself as government
3 Sep 07
"Meaningless" Scottish Executive name to be dropped in favour of Scottish Government
The Scottish Executive is to be officilly renamed the Scottish Government this week by the SNP administration.
The change is intended to help the public more clearly understand the role and functions of the devolved government in Scotland.
The term "Scottish Executive" is used in the Scotland Act 1998 and will continue to be used in formal legal documents and legislation, but "Scottish Government" will become the corporate brand identity.
Signs at the six main government buildings in Edinburgh and Glasgow have already been changed. Other material such as stationery will be changed gradually to be as cost effective as possible in the transition.
Ministers say the decision was taken because research showed that the term Scottish Executive was confusing or meaningless to many members of the public.
The cost of creating a new logo and changing the main signage on the buildings has been £100,000.
Opposition parties questioned the cost and whether there should have been consultation. A similar proposal was made under First Minister Henry McLeish in 2001, but dropped due to opposition by Labour MPs at Westminster.