Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning


The Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning is a junior ministerial post in the Scottish Government. As a result, the Minister does not attend the Scottish Cabinet. The minister supports the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government, who has overall responsible for the portfolio.
The current Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning is Kevin Stewart MSP, who was appointed on 18 May 2016. The minister is responsible for housing, local government, planning, building standards, Business Improvement Districts, community planning, homelessness, regeneration, and fuel poverty.

History

In 2011, the position of Minister for Local Government and Planning was created; the portfolio changed in November 2014 following a reshuffle by Nicola Sturgeon when she became First Minister of Scotland. The post was rebranded at that point to Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment.
In September 2012, the junior post of Minister for Housing and Welfare was announced, with a portfolio intended to reflect the important role of housing in aiding economic recovery and the challenges that face those in poverty. In May 2016, Nicola Sturgeon reshuffled junior ministers and the post joined local government and housing in a new Minister for Local Government and Housing role. Planning was added to the title in June 2018.

List of office holders

Minister for Local Government and Planning

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Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment

Minister for Local Government and Housing

Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning