Cabinet secretary for housing Màiri McAllan

Upon her return to government from maternity leave, Ms McAllan now has responsibility for all aspects of housing policy, including heat in buildings.

The Scottish Government said the appointment will ensure that its action is focused on tackling the housing emergency and providing energy efficient homes for the future – helping stimulate economic growth, deliver net zero commitments and tackle child poverty.  

Gillian Martin has been appointed as cabinet secretary for climate action and energy, having held the portfolio during Ms McAllan’s maternity leave.

Following the death of Christina McKelvie in March, Maree Todd will become minister for drugs and alcohol policy, while retaining her existing responsibility for sport. Tom Arthur has been appointed as minister for social care and mental wellbeing.

Housing minister Paul McLennan has requested to leave the Scottish Government following a recent short period of ill health.

In a post to LinkedIn, he added that he was “honoured to have served as Housing Minister in the Scottish Government for over 2 years” and will not “focus on my health and constituents”.

Acting minister for climate action Alasdair Allan will leave government at the end of this week, having indicated that he only wished to serve on an interim basis.

Excluding the law officers, the overall size of government reduces to 23, down from 27 in May 2024.

First Minister John 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. Màiri McAllan has been tasked with tackling the housing emergency, including ensuring we have energy efficient homes to help bring down bills and tackle the climate emergency. 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.

“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.

“I want to thank Paul McLennan and Alasdair Allan for the service they have provided to me, the government and to the people of Scotland. 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.”

The appointment and the subsequent promotion of housing to the Cabinet have been roundly welcomed.

CIH Scotland said the new appointment is “critical in joining together all aspects of housing policy across the government from the housing emergency to net zero” and “delivering better housing outcomes for everyone”.

A spokesperson added: “We look forward to working with the new cabinet secretary, on behalf of Scotland’s housing professionals, to create a future in which everyone has a place to call home. We also thank the outgoing minister for dousing, Paul McLennan MSP, for his dedication to supporting the housing sector in Scotland.”

Shelter Scotland director Alison Watson said: “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.”

For the Scottish Property Federation, the “significant” ministerial reshuffle “underscores the Scottish Government’s recognition of housing as a key priority”.

Director David Melhuish said: “The decision to elevate the housing portfolio to a Cabinet Secretary level is a significant move at a time when the much-amended Housing Bill is facing its final stage in the Scottish Parliament. The government must focus on securing parliamentary approval for a Bill that will provide certainty for investors in new sectors such as Build to Rent and Mid Market Rent.

“This could unlock a pipeline of over 10,000 potential new homes across these tenures. We look forward to engaging with the new Cabinet Secretary to highlight the potential for Scotland of these new models of housing.”

He added: “We would also extend our sincere gratitude to Paul McLennan MSP, who has served as the housing minister for the past two years and thank him for his active engagement with the industry and his leadership of the Housing Investment Taskforce which provides a direction of travel for Scottish Ministers to leverage in new investment across the housing sector which is essential to address the housing emergency.”

Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, urged Màiri McAllan to put tackling the housing emergency and ensuring energy efficiency proposals for the property sector are fit for purpose at the top of her to-do list, alongside a commitment to review and reduce all costs and taxes impacting private landlords and home buyers and sellers.

“This is key to ensuring the Scottish Government is implementing pro-growth policies to reduce the cost of renting and make it easier for people to move up and down the housing ladder,” he said.

Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, added: “Addressing Scotland’s housing emergency is an urgent and long-overdue priority. We look forward to working collaboratively with the new Cabinet Secretary to deliver real solutions, such as building more affordable homes and bringing empty properties back into use. It’s vital that future housing policy is grounded in evidence and avoids scapegoating Scotland’s £1bn self-catering sector, which plays an important role in the tourism economy and rural communities.”