MAIRI McAllan will leave the Scottish Government until next year as she takes maternity leave for the birth of her first child.
Gillian Martin will step up to fill her role as Net Zero and Energy Secretary when McAllan’s leave begins on July 1.
McAllan is the second serving Cabinet Secretary in the Scottish Government to take maternity leave, with Kate Forbes being the first.
Martin (above) currently serves as the Minister for Climate Action. Her post will be filled by Alasdair Allan, marking his return to government after six years on the backbenches.
He previously served as a minister for international development and education minister.
First Minister John Swinney said: “I want to thank Mairi McAllan for everything she has achieved in government so far, including ensuring that tackling the climate crisis and accelerating our era defining energy transition to a just transition remains one of our key priorities.
“I look forward to welcoming Mairi back to her post as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy next year, and send my warmest wishes to her, Iain and their whole family as they embark on this exciting new chapter together.”
McAllan added: “Tacking the climate crisis and seizing the era defining opportunity of Scotland’s energy transition remain two of the biggest challenges and opportunities of our time.
“That is why I have been honoured to lead this vitally important portfolio in government, working with stakeholders across the country to ensure we are supporting our transition to net zero in a sustainable and fair way, as well as seizing the opportunities of the future.”
Martin said the Scottish Government would be “laser focused on tackling the climate emergency” and Allan (above) added that he would be looking to progress plans to improve “energy efficiency and renewable heating”.
