The Scottish government has a fourth new Transport Minister in 25 months following the appointment of the experienced Fiona Hyslop this week to replace Kevin Stewart, who stepped down last week.
Ms Hyslop, who served as a cabinet secretary in multiple roles between 2007 and 2021, will report to cabinet minister Màiri McAllan, who will take overall responsibility as part of her revised brief of “Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition”. The adjustment therefore restores the transport portfolio as a cabinet position.
Mr Stewart, who was appointed on 29 March, resigned last week citing mental health concerns, which he said began before taking up the tenure. He had taken over from Jenny Gilruth, who had been in the role since January 2022. Previously, Graeme Day held the post from May 2021.
Ms Hyslop, who has been MSP for Linlithgow since 2011, was most recently Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, having previously been responsible for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs.
First Minister Humza Yousaf’s cabinet reorganisations means Ms Allan will “take a greater day-to-day role in the transport brief”.
Mr Yousaf says: “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.”
Aside from dealing with cuts to island ferry operations, Ms Hyslop takes over at a time when bus services in Scotland have been trimmed following the ending of pandemic recovery funding on 31 March.
Paul White, Director of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Scotland, welcomed her into the role, writing on Twitter: “Congratulations Fiona Hyslop on your appointment as Minister for Transport. Looking forward to engaging with you on the many policy streams related to bus and coach.”
