Mairi McAllan becomes housing secretary in minor government reshuffle

Mairi McAllan has become the new housing secretary as John Swinney undertakes a slight reshuffle of his ministerial team.

Gillian Martin has taken on McAllan’s previous role as energy secretary, which she has been covering for the last year as McAllan was on maternity leave.

The new minister for drugs and alcohol policy is Maree Todd, who will also retain responsibility for sport. That vacancy was created following the death of Christina McKelvie in March.

Tom Arthur joins the health team as the social care and mental wellbeing minister. His former responsibility as investment minister will be taken on by deputy first minister Kate Forbes.

Both Paul McLennan, previously housing minister, and Alasdair Allan, who was acting climate minister while Martin stepped up to cabinet level, have left government.

Swinney said: “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.

“Mairi 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.”

All other cabinet secretaries and ministers remain in their current positions.

The reshuffle has been rumoured to be in the offing for several weeks as Swinney looks to get his top team onto an election-ready footing.