Update on Scottish ministerial changes and impact of UK General Election

We summarise these current events as they affect Scottish urban greenspace 

Things are moving quickly in politics at the moment.  Although all eyes are now on a General Election, we shouldn’t forget that with the end of the coalition agreement between the SNP and Green Party, a new First Minister and Cabinet, and some resignations by existing junior Ministers, there have been some changes to Scottish Ministers with roles concerning urban greenspace.

We list these below, and full details can be found on the Scottish Government website  

  • Màiri McAllan remains Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy with responsibilities for issues including water and Just Transition. Her previous Wellbeing Economy responsibilities appear to have been redistributed elsewhere in the Ministerial team. 

  • Gillian Martin remains a supporting Minister for Climate Action to Màiri McAllan and now has responsibility for biodiversity. 
  • Shona Robison is now Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government. 
  • Ivan McKee returns to Scottish Government as Minister for Public Finance, supporting Shona Robison with responsibilities including planning, community empowerment, and 20 minute neighbourhoods. 
  • Tom Arthur is responsible for regeneration policy and the place based investment programme as Minister for Employment and Investment. He was already a Minister. 
  • Jim Fairlie retains responsibility for allotments and community growing, horticulture and various other land-based issues as Minister for Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity.  

Impact of UK General Election on Scottish Government programmes  

At time of going to press, Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government had in the usual pre-election advice, recommended to the new First Minister that he postpone publishing his new Programme for Government and associated legislative programme until after the General Election.   
  
Routine Scottish Government business including grant payments and contracts are expected to continue, as is usually the case during UK General Elections.  

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