New social care minister for Scotland

A new minister for social care and mental wellbeing has been appointed in Scotland following a ministerial shake up.

The former minister for employment and investment, Tom Arthur MSP, has taken over from Maree Todd MSP for Renfrewshire South who had held the post since March 2023.

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Mr Arthur will be responsible for areas including social care and integration, social prescribing and child and adolescent mental health.

Maree Todd MSP has been appointed as the minister responsible for drugs and alcohol policy, following the death of Christina McKelvie MSP who previously held this role.

The new ministerial appointments are part of changes made after Ms McKelvie’s death and to accommodate the return of another minister after a period of maternity leave.

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Health and social care secretary Neil Gray and minister for public health Jenni Minto remain in their current jobs, while Natalie Don will continue in her role as minister for children, young people and the promise.

Mr Arthur joined the role in the same week Care Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed unanimously by Holyrood.

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Changes introduced by the Bill include fast-tracked care assessments for people with a terminal illness and a right to breaks for unpaid carers.

The Bill previously included plans for a National Care Service, but this was dropped by the Scottish National Party following significant opposition earlier this year.