Scottish government drops dedicated housing secretary role in cabinet

The housing sector has reacted to the Scottish government’s new cabinet after it scrapped the standalone housing secretary post.

Shirley-Anne Somerville was appointed Housing and Social Justice Secretary after John Swinney was re-elected as First Minister.

A housing charity has criticised the SNP’s decision to merge the housing brief into a wider portfolio, arguing that it sends the wrong message while Scotland remains in a housing emergency.

Incredibly deflating

Gordon Llewellyn-MacRae, assistant director at Shelter Scotland, said: “It is incredibly deflating to see housing downgraded from a specific Cabinet post to a shared portfolio and the standalone housing minister effectively downgraded to a junior role.

“Playing ‘hokey cokey’ with a dedicated minister in then out of the cabinet does nothing to build confidence that ending the housing emergency remains a top priority for the new government.

“At Shelter Scotland, we of course look forward to working with Shirley-Anne Somerville on the Scottish government’s housing emergency action plan. We broadly support their plan for more homes, protecting homelessness rights and tackling the racism and bias in our housing system. She is experienced at juggling the competing demands of Scotland’s social security system and worsening housing emergency.

“But without a dedicated seat at the table, housing organisations will need to keep speaking out if we are to see manifesto pledges turned into action.”

Finding ways to tackle Scotland’s housing emergency

Scottish Association of Landlords chief executive John Blackwood said the Scottish government must work with landlords to tackle the housing crisis.

He said: “SAL is pleased to welcome the new Cabinet Secretary to her role, and we extend our thanks to Mairi McAllan for all the work she did with this crucial portfolio.

“In this time of housing crisis, landlords, tenants, and government must view ourselves as partners in getting people into homes and not as adversaries.

“Having previously worked with Ms Somerville, we look forward meeting with her and finding ways to tackle Scotland’s housing emergency.”