Two Scottish MPs appointed as ministers in Labour government

Two further Scottish Labour MPs have been appointed as ministers in Keir Starmer’s government.

On Tuesday, it was announced that King Charles had approved the two new appointments, following Labour’s landslide victory in the General Election last week.

The party won 412 seats and the Tories 121, marking the worst result in Conservative history.

Work has already begun in constructing the new government, with a raft of ministerial appointments made on Friday following Labour’s win.

The latest appointments include Michael Shanks, the newly elected MP for Rutherglen. He has been appointed parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Meanwhile Kirsty McNeill, who was elected to represent Midlothian, has been appointed parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Scotland office.

McNeill said: “It is an honour to serve in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Government to rebuild Britain and which has Scotland at its beating heart.

“Teaming up with Scottish secretary Ian Murray in a resurgent Scotland Office, I will work across our country and far beyond to build a brighter future for all.

“Now for action and my absolute priority in the role will be to deliver the change and renewal that Scotland needs – to drive economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty.”

It comes as Sir Keir also appointed Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE as minister of state in the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero and Sir David Hanson as a minister of state in the Home Office.

Both will become life peers.