Mairi McAllan returns to Cabinet after maternity leave as new Housing Secretary
John Swinney has appointed a Housing Secretary as part of a Scottish Cabinet reshuffle, with the new role being given to Mairi McAllan as she returns to the Government after maternity leave.
Paul McLennan, who had been housing minister, has left the Government at his own request, it was announced, with Ms McAllan, who had previously been net zero and energy secretary, taking on overall responsibility for the portfolio.
With the housing brief now promoted to the Cabinet, Ms McAllan will be tasked with tackling Scotland’s housing emergency as well as taking forward changes to ensure homes are more energy efficient – a move which can help bring down bills while also tackling climate change.
“These are two of the biggest challenges facing people across the country and I want them to know they have a Government firmly on their side and focused on delivering real change.”
Gillian Martin, who had served as acting net zero and energy secretary while Ms McAllan was on leave, stays in the Cabinet team, taking on a similar brief with the new post of Climate Action and Energy Secretary.
Acting climate action minister Alasdair Allan will leave his post at the end of this week, having only wanted to be part of the Government on an “interim basis”.
The reshuffle also saw Maree Todd take over as minister for drugs and alcohol policy, a position which had been held by Christina McKelvie until her death earlier this year.
The changes mean there are now 23 Cabinet secretaries and junior ministers in the Scottish Government – down from 27 in May 2024.Mr Swinney said: “Scotland’s strengths lie in our people, our communities, and our resolve to leave a better future and better country for the next generation.
“As First Minister, I am firmly focused on leading a Government that unlocks the potential for every person in Scotland to thrive.
“I have made changes to the Cabinet which will further enable us to realise that potential.
“Following the sad passing of Christina McKelvie, I have asked Maree Todd to take on responsibility for drugs and alcohol policy. This Government has shown it is not afraid to take bold measures to prevent harm and death, and we must redouble our efforts.”
He thanked Mr McLennan and Mr Allan for their work in Government, adding: “They both held two very important ministerial appointments in housing and climate action and have helped to drive forward progress in tackling two issues which are central to Scotland’s long-term success as a nation.”
Alison Watson, director of Shelter Scotland, welcomed Ms McAllan to her new role, saying the housing charity was “ready to work with her to tackle Scotland’s housing emergency”.
Ms Watson added: “We’ve been asking for housing to have a seat at the Cabinet table for a long time. Today marks a turning point, with signs that the First Minister is committed to getting those 10,360 children out of temporary accommodation and into secure homes.
“But words aren’t enough. It has been over a year since a national housing emergency was declared by Parliament and sadly more needs to be done.
“We need to see radical and urgent action now to build more social homes to end homelessness in Scotland.”
Opposition parties were more critical, with Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton saying Mr Swinney had “rearranged the deckchairs on the Titanic and ended up with the same old faces who have failed Scotland for far too long”.
She said: “For the good of the country, we need to remove John Swinney and the SNP from power at next year’s election.”
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie similarly said: “John Swinney has chosen to rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic as his authority as leader continues to sink.”
She added: “If, after 18 years in power, the best John Swinney has to offer as an answer to the issues facing Scots is to shuffle his Cabinet around, then that is simply not good enough.”