Ministerial employment date information: FOI release

Information requested

• Alasdair Allan MSP left his post as Minister for Energy on 15 June 2025 while Paul McLellan left his post as Minister for Housing on 11 June 2025 – what is the reason for the difference in end dates? Mr Allan’s resignation letter says “I was honoured to be asked to take this interim role, but that I only wanted it to be for the period of cover for Gillian Martin, as she also took over her interim role, and would want to return to backbenches after that” but Gillian Martin MSP took up the substantive role of Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy on 11 June 2025.
• What were the extra days used for, and did the longer service entitle Mr Allan to any further benefits?

Response

Mr McLennan indicated his immediate resignation. Dr Allan remained in his Ministerial position until the end of the week as this was an interim post as part of the arrangements to cover maternity leave and there was a business need for him to remain in Government until the end of that week; during this time he made a Ministerial Statement and answered questions in Parliament on behalf of the Government.

Dr Allan did not receive further benefits as a consequence of remaining in his Ministerial position until the end of the week.

Ministerial pay is set and paid by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government has no role in this. The Scottish Government does not hold any information in relation to the benefits of Ministers leaving office. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested here. However, you may wish to contact the Scottish Parliament at The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP or info@parliament.scot who may be able to help you.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.