MAREE TODD: Humza Yousaf is dealing with the cost-of-living crisis

Holyrood Notebook by Maree Todd

I was delighted to see Humza Yousaf become the leader of the SNP and Scotland’s new First Minister last month. We should all take pride in the fact that we have sent a clear message, that the colour of your skin and your faith is not a barrier to high office.

Humza Yousaf’s nomination as First Minister speaks to our values as a country and is a historic moment for Scotland.

In his first leadership address, the First Minister committed to protecting Scots as much as possible from the harm inflicted by the cost-of-living crisis, to recovering and reforming the NHS and supporting a wellbeing economy to improve the life chances of people across the country.

His words have translated into action since. Within the first 24 hours of being in post, we saw the First Minister commit to tripling the fuel insecurity fund from £10 million last year to £30 million in 2023-24 to help support vulnerable households who are experiencing or are at risk of fuel poverty.

The First Minister’s words were reaffirmed in his Cabinet appointments, where we saw Michael Matheson appointed Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care and Neil Gray the Cabinet Secretary for a Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy.

I’m particularly pleased to see energy come under Neil’s responsibility. Hailing from Orkney, Neil has a great understanding of the injustices our rural and island communities face when it comes to energy, and the disproportionate impact of the cost-of-living crisis. I’m sure his insight in this area will be invaluable to government policy and I look forward to the seeing the positive changes he brings forward in his new role.

For the first time ever, the Cabinet consists of a majority of women. It’s fantastic to see new faces like Jenny Gilruth taking up the education brief and Màiri McAllan taking on the net zero and just transition portfolio. I’m thrilled to also see Angela Constance return to Cabinet covering justice and home affairs.

I am honoured to have been asked to serve as Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport by the new First Minister. Prior to entering politics, I worked as a mental health pharmacist in NHS Highland for 20 years, so I’m looking forward to using my experience to improve mental health and wellbeing in Scotland. And, with the acute challenges facing the sector right now, particularly in my own constituency, I’m keen to get to work to ensure our rural communities can access social care as close to home as possible.

A huge congratulations also to my colleague and fellow Highlander Emma Roddick, who has become the youngest-ever minister to be appointed to the Scottish Government, taking on the role of Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees. With depopulation among one of the biggest threats facing my constituency, I’m encouraged by this appointment and the emphasis that has been placed on migration.

Throughout his campaign, Humza Yousaf pledged to empower rural communities and I feel this appointment demonstrates that he’s determined to see this through – and who better to lead in this portfolio area than a Highlander!

This is a Cabinet and ministerial team that will take a bold approach to governing – not just in addressing the challenges facing the people of Scotland, but also maximising the opportunities of our many strengths.

• Maree Todd is the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.