Scotland gets new energy minister

Paul Wheelhouse has been appointed as Scotland’s new Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy.

Wheelhouse is taking over from the former Energy Minister Fergus Ewing who was promoted to the post of Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity.

Wheelhouse was elected to serve as an MSP representing the South of Scotland in 2011. He was promoted to Ministerial Office in September 2012, as Minister for Environment & Climate Change.

From November 2014 Wheelhouse served as Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also announced a dedicated Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Climate Change, with Roseanna Cunningham’s appointment ‘underlining the Scottish Government’s ambitious plans to further reduce carbon emissions, protect and enhance Scotland’s environment and take forward the Government’s work on land reform.’

Following the unveiling of the new Scottish Cabinet yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon said: “The Cabinet I have announced today will ensure our priorities of education and the economy are given fresh impetus; our public services are reformed and improved and we are able to respond to challenges such as climate change in the years to come.”