Ministerial Update
A summary of changes to cabinet following the appointment of Humza Yousaf as First Minister.
Humza Yousaf has been officially installed in Scotland’s First Minister, and he has appointed a new-look front bench to support him. There have significant changes in the ministerial team with portfolios relevant to the social housing sector. For a start, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing & Local Government, Shona Robison, has been promoted to Deputy First Minister and is also taking on the Finance Secretary role.
Her replacement is Shirley-Anne Summerville, but unlike her predecessor, she will not be directly responsible for the housing brief. A newly appointed junior Minister for Housing, Paul McLennan, will instead take on the role, reporting up to Ms Summerville. Humza Yousaf’s reaffirmed commitment to the Bute House Agreement means Patrick Harvie will remain Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel & Tenants' Rights.
A parliamentary veteran, Shirley-Anne Summerville was Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills until last month. She has represented Dunfermline in parliament since 2016, after a previous 2007-2011 stint as a Lothians regional member. She is a trustee for Shelter Scotland and has a diploma in Housing Studies.
Elected in 2021 to represent East Lothian, this represents Paul McLennan’s first ministerial role. Prior to entering parliament, he had a career in banking and public affairs, and led East Lothian Council from 2010-2012.
In other relevant portfolios, Mairi McAllan has been promoted to cabinet to become Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero & Just Transition. Maree Todd has been appointed Minister for Social Care and Joe FitzPatrick will serve as Minister for Local Government Empowerment & Planning.