The Scottish government has recently restructured its cabinet, notably removing the dedicated housing secretary role. This decision has provoked concern among housing sector representatives, who warn it could undermine efforts to address Scotland’s ongoing housing emergency.

Housing Secretary Role Merged into Wider Portfolio

Following the re-election of John Swinney as First Minister, Shirley-Anne Somerville was appointed as Housing and Social Justice Secretary. However, the standalone housing secretary post was scrapped, with the housing brief now merged into a broader cabinet portfolio. This change marks a significant shift in how housing issues are represented at the highest levels of Scottish government.

Sector Reaction: Concerns Over Downgrading Housing Priority

The decision has drawn criticism from housing charities. Gordon Llewellyn-MacRae, assistant director at Shelter Scotland, described the move as “incredibly deflating.” He expressed concern that downgrading housing from a specific cabinet post to a shared portfolio, effectively reducing the housing minister to a junior role, sends the wrong message amid a housing emergency.

He added: “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.”

Despite these concerns, Shelter Scotland remains committed to working with Shirley-Anne Somerville on the government’s housing emergency action plan. They broadly support the plan’s focus on building more homes, protecting homelessness rights, and addressing racism and bias within the housing system. Mr Llewellyn-MacRae acknowledged Ms Somerville’s experience in managing Scotland’s social security system alongside housing challenges but emphasised that without a dedicated cabinet seat, housing organisations will need to continue advocating strongly to ensure manifesto pledges translate into action.

Landlord Perspective: Partnership Emphasised

John Blackwood, chief executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL), welcomed the appointment of Shirley-Anne Somerville and thanked outgoing minister Mairi McAllan for her work on housing. He stressed the importance of collaboration between landlords, tenants, and government in addressing the housing crisis.

“In this time of housing crisis, landlords, tenants, and government must view ourselves as partners in getting people into homes and not as adversaries,” Mr Blackwood said. He expressed optimism about working with Ms Somerville to find solutions to Scotland’s housing emergency, highlighting the value of constructive engagement between the sector and government.

Implications of the Cabinet Restructure

The removal of a dedicated housing secretary role could have significant implications for housing policy and delivery in Scotland. A specific cabinet post often signals a clear governmental priority and can facilitate focused leadership and accountability. By merging housing into a broader portfolio, there is a risk that housing issues may receive less direct attention amid competing priorities.

However, the appointment of an experienced minister like Shirley-Anne Somerville, who has previously managed complex social portfolios, may help maintain momentum on housing initiatives. The government’s housing emergency action plan remains central to its agenda, and continued collaboration with housing organisations and landlords will be essential to achieving progress.

What this means for landlords

For landlords across Scotland, the cabinet reshuffle underscores the importance of active engagement with government and housing organisations. The emphasis on partnership highlighted by the Scottish Association of Landlords suggests a collaborative approach to tackling housing challenges.

Landlords should be aware that while the housing brief no longer holds a dedicated cabinet seat, the government’s commitment to addressing the housing emergency continues. Maintaining dialogue with policymakers and sector bodies will be crucial to ensuring landlords’ perspectives are considered in future housing strategies and reforms.

Source: Based on reporting from Property118

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