Scotland hires its first dedicated housing minister since 2021

Mr McLennan has experience as a councillor for East Lothian Council and previously worked as an associate director at public affairs company Playfair Scotland, as well as a senior researcher for the Scottish Parliament.

In his new role, he will report to cabinet secretary for social justice Shirley-Anne Somerville. She has experience in housing, having served as policy and public affairs officer at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland from 2001 to 2004.

Mr McLennan said on Twitter: “Honoured and humbled to have been asked to be the minister for housing for the Scottish government by first minister Humza Yousaf. Looking forward to engaging with stakeholders soon.”

Callum Chomczuk, national director of CIH Scotland, welcomed the first minister’s decision to hire a dedicated housing minister for Scotland.

He said: “We hope Paul McLennan’s appointment to this new role will mean government gives housing the attention, support and funding it urgently needs and deserves.

“Scotland must invest in more affordable housing. With homelessness and the number of people living in temporary accommodation on the rise, we must remember that access to good-quality, affordable housing is a basic human right and provides the foundations for people to flourish. Good housing improves health and well-being, reduces poverty, contributes to net zero and boosts the economy.

“We look forward to working with the Scottish government and the new housing minister to create a fair housing system that works for everyone across Scotland.”