The transport portfolio within the Scottish Government has been ‘explicitly’ restored as a cabinet position, with existing cabinet secretary Màiri McAllan’s remit extended to ‘Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition’.
Former cabinet secretary Fiona Hyslop has rejoined the devolved administration as the new minister for transport, reporting to Ms McAllan and replacing Kevin Stewart, who has resigned for health reasons.
With Ms McAllan taking a greater day-to-day role in the transport brief, responsibility for the green economy will move to Richard Lochhead, who will report to her for these issues as minister for small business, innovation, tourism and trade.
First minister Humza Yousaf has also amended the role of Gillian Martin, adding responsibilities to her remit and changing her title to ‘minister for energy and the environment’.
Mr Yousaf said: ‘I am pleased to announce that I am strengthening the ministerial team on transport. I have taken two steps: first, by changing Màiri McAllan’s remit, I am freeing her to take a direct day-to-day role in transport, effectively bringing transport explicitly back into cabinet.
‘Second, I am bringing one of the most experienced politicians in the Scottish Parliament – Fiona Hyslop – into the role of minister for transport. Her return to government means she can bring her decades of experience across government to bear on the challenges that exist, not least around ferry services.’
The news follows the resignation of Kevin Stewart as transport minister, who stepped down for the sake of his mental health, having been in post for just over two months.
