First Minster John Swinney has confirmed his new cabinet with MSP Mairi McAllan returning to government to tackle Scotland's housing problems.
The "modest" reshuffle comes after the SNP's loss to Labour in the Hamilton, Larkhill, and Stonehouse by-election. The cabinet now consists of 12 members with the ministerial team reduced to 11 from 14.
Ms McAllan, who is returning to government after maternity leave, replaces Paul McLennan as housing secretary after he requested to leave the cabinet.
Gillian Martin, who stood in for McAllan, will now assume the climate action and energy role permanently.
Speaking on the steps of Bute House, the first minister said: “I’ve decided to make modest changes to the government because I think it is essential that the government, which is far advanced in delivering its programme of improvement in the lives of the people in Scotland, is concentrated on that delivery, it’s vital that we have all the time available to us in this parliamentary term to improve the lives of people in Scotland and that is what the government is going to do.”
The cabinet now consists of:
- Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister, will remain with the economy portfolio and responsibility for Gaelic
- Shona Robison remains in cabinet with responsibility for finance and local government
- Jenny Gilruth remains cabinet secretary for education and skills
- Angela Constance remains cabinet secretary for justice and home affairs
- Gillian Martin remains in cabinet with responsibility for net zero and energy portfolio
- Fiona Hyslop remains cabinet secretary for transport
- Mairi McAllan returns in a new role, cabinet secretary for housing
- Neil Gray remains cabinet secretary for health and social care
- Shirley-Anne Somerville remains cabinet secretary for social justice
- Angus Robertson remains cabinet secretary for constitution, external affairs and culture
- Mairi Gougeon remains cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands