HUMZA Yousaf’s decision to scrap to the Bute House Agreement brings to an end the first ministerial appointments of Green politicians in the UK’s history.
But what will happen to the ministerial portfolios currently held by Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater?
“Let me thank once again Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater”
Before the end of the agreement Harvie served as minister for zero carbon buildings, active travel and tenants’ rights while Slater was minister for green skills, circular economy and biodiversity.
During a press conference in Bute House after news broke that the SNP would be ending the agreement with the Scottish Greens, Humza Yousaf was asked what would happen to the ministerial portfolios held by Harvie and Slater.
READ MORE: Scottish Greens react to being ditched from government
He said: “They’ll be absorbed by the cabinet secretaries currently [in position] and then of course we will give some consideration to how they are appropriately divvied up in the future.
“But they’ll be essentially absorbed by the cabinet secretaries that are there.
“Let me thank once again Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater for the incredible work that they have done as ministers in the government.”
Which policies will be landing on SNP ministers’ desks?
The Housing (Scotland) Bill was only introduced to the Scottish Parliament last month.
Until this morning it sat squarely within Patrick Harvie’s ministerial portfolio.
But now the legislation which is set to introduce rent controls on landlords and improve rights for tenants will be redistributed to another minister.
Indeed, the news of the Bute House Agreement’s end has already been greeted with optimism from some within the sector.
Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at industry body Propertymark, said the end of the deal “must be taken as an opportunity to reset and rethink key housing policy at a time when rents are rising, there is uncertainty for agents and their landlords, local authorities are declaring housing emergencies and there is not enough property for people to rent across Scotland.”
READ MORE: Humza Yousaf speaks at Bute House after ending SNP Greens coalition deal
He added: “The cost of living legislation that introduced rent caps has damaged investment in Scotland, reduced available property to rent and caused rents to rise.
“We urge the First Minister to take this opportunity to rethink future plans for rent control and introduce measures that increase the supply of homes across Scotland that will ultimately make renting and buying a home more affordable.”
Meanwhile, Lorna Slater’s (below) responsibility of creating a new national park by 2026 will also be redistributed as well as her spearheading of measures to improve and protect Scotland’s biodiversity.
The director of WWF Scotland, Lang Banks, said the end of the agreement should not signal a weakening of commitments on climate and biodiversity.
“Despite this news, one thing remains the same – the Scottish Government must urgently continue to take steps to address the climate and nature emergency,” he said.
“There is overwhelming public support in Scotland for action that will create jobs and deliver warmer homes, cleaner air, and support more farmers to adopt climate and nature-friendly practices.
“Specifically, we need to see action to ensure the proposed Heat in Buildings and Natural Environment bills are delivered.
“We will continue to work with all the political parties to ensure Scotland does everything it can to seize the benefits for both people and planet that will come from rapid and sustained delivery of action to address climate change and nature loss.”
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