Shirley-Anne Somerville

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(1 of 7 Regional MSPs)

In early 2020, Somerville announced the government would propose to amend the Gender Recognition Act 2004 of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. [11] The bill would make it easier for people to change their name legally, drop the requirement for medical evidence and lower the age limit for applications from 18 to 16. The bill has been opposed by For Women Scotland. [12] [13] On an interview with STV, Somerville recognised that women's rights are exceptionally important and have been long-fought for. She emphasised her commitment not to jeopardise women's rights. Somerville hoped for the bill to be passed by the end of the 5th Scottish Parliament, however, delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic have affected this ambition. [14]

Cabinet Secretary for Education (2021–2023)

In the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, Somerville secured a second term as the MSP for the Dunfermline constituency. [15] The SNP fell two seats short of an overall majority in the election, however, remained the largest party, with more than double the seats of the Scottish Conservatives. [16] Sturgeon announced her intention to form a third administration and appointed Somerville as the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, succeeding John Swinney, who was mounted with pressure by opposition to resign. [17] [18] [19] [20] The general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) Larry Flanagan welcomed her appointment, but added, "The first issue the Cabinet Secretary will need to address is an end to the scandal of temporary contracts throughout the education system.". [21]

SQA and Education Scotland reform

Somerville before the Scottish Parliament's committee on education, October 2021 Shirley-Anne Somerville before the Education Committee.jpg
Somerville before the Scottish Parliament's committee on education, October 2021

In June 2021, Somerville revealed plans to reform the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Education Scotland was under way. [22] The following year exams were scrapped and the SQA was criticised for down-grading teachers predictions which were based on pupil assessments. [23] After public outcry and protests from pupils, the Scottish Government u-turned it's decision and allowed teachers predictions to be considered for pupil grading. [24] [25] [26] In the 2021 exam diet, exams were cancelled too, but students claimed the "assessments" were the equivalent to exams. [27]

The OECD published a report on the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) and recommended the government considered creating a "specialist stand-alone agency responsible for curriculum". [28] Somerville responded: “The OECD report is crystal clear - Curriculum for Excellence is the right approach for Scotland. In fact, despite all the criticism here at home, the OECD tells us it is viewed internationally as an inspiring example of curriculum practice. However, 10 years on from CfE being introduced, it is right and proper that we review how it is being implemented.". [29]

In March 2022, Somerville confirmed the SQA would be replaced by Qualifications Scotland and Education Scotland would be replaced by a new executive agency by the summer of 2024. [30]

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice (2023–present)

Following Humza Yousaf's successful election in March 2023 to become the Scottish National Party's leader following Nicola Sturgeon's resignation, Somerville was appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice. [31]

She then retained this post in John Swinney's subsequent government formed in May 2024. [32]

Personal life

Somerville lives in North Queensferry with her husband and two children. She is a trustee of Shelter Scotland, and is a member of the RSPB and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. [33]


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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Nicola Sturgeon appoints new health and education secretaries". BBC News . 19 May 2021. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021.
  3. ↑ Holden, John-Paul (3 June 2021). "SQA and Education Scotland to be reformed". The Herald. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "Previous MSPs: Session 3 (2007–2011): Somerville, Shirley-Anne". Scottish Parliament. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  5. 1 2 Somerville, Shirley-Anne, (born 2 Sept. 1974), Member (SNP) Dunfermline, Scottish Parliament, since 2016; Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, since 2018. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U246319. ISBN   978-0-19-954088-4.{{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  6. ↑ "Shirley-Anne Somerville – Get to know your candidate". SNP West Fife and Coastal Villages. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  7. ↑ "MSP announces move to step down". BBC News . 18 August 2007.
  8. 1 2 "Losing SNP by-election candidate leaves Yes job". The Herald . 3 November 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  9. ↑ "ScottishGovernment - News - New Scottish Cabinet unveiled". 19 May 2016. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  10. ↑ "SNP's Christina McKelvie takes medical leave from ministerial role". BBC News. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  11. ↑ "Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill: consultation analysis". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  12. ↑ "Move to system 'closer to self-declaration' for gender recognition, MPs recommend". inews.co.uk. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  13. ↑ Horne, Marc. "Gender reforms will cost you, SNP and Greens told". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  14. ↑ "Changing gender could soon become easier and quicker, Scottish minister reveals". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  15. ↑ "Shirley-Anne Somerville retains Dunfermline constituency seat". Dunfermline Press. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  16. ↑ Hutcheon, Paul (8 May 2021). "SNP to fall short of overall majority, according to BBC Holyrood projection". Daily Record. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  17. ↑ Crichton, Torcuil (19 May 2021). "Shirley-Anne Somerville is education secretary in Sturgeon cabinet reshuffle". Daily Record. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  18. ↑ "New Cabinet appointed". Scottish Government . 19 May 2021.
  19. ↑ "Shirley-Anne Somerville is new education secretary". Tes Magazine. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  20. ↑ "Scottish Labour call for John Swinney to resign over exam results". The National. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  21. ↑ Scotland, The Educational Institute of. "EIS Welcomes new Education Secretary to Post". www.eis.org.uk. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  22. ↑ Aitken, Vivienne (19 June 2021). "Education Secretary plans reform of SQA to give kids exams body 'we can trust'". Daily Record. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  23. ↑ "SQA under fire after downgrading 124,000 predicted exam results". the Guardian. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  24. ↑ "Revealed: Poorest Scots schools hit four times harder in SQA results scandal". The National. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  25. ↑ "All pupils marked down by SQA to have teachers' estimated grades instead". The National. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  26. ↑ "Coronavirus in Scotland: School pupils protest over SQA exam results". BBC News. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  27. ↑ "Covid in Scotland: Scottish pupils sitting 'exams by another name'". BBC News. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  28. ↑ "Curriculum for Excellence: Scottish Government response to OECD Review". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  29. ↑ "Scottish Government to scrap SQA". Holyrood Website. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  30. ↑ "'Qualifications Scotland' and new education agency to replace SQA and Education Scotland". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  31. ↑ "New Cabinet unveiled". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  32. ↑ "New Scottish Cabinet". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  33. ↑ StDunfermline, 34 Chalmers; KY12 8DFScotl (5 September 2018). "Shirley-Anne Somerville". Scottish National Party. Retrieved 31 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Shirley-Anne Somerville
MSP
Shirley-Anne Somerville - 53727457108.jpg
Official portrait, 2024
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice
Assumed office
29 March 2023
In office
31 August 2007 –22 March 2011
First Minister
Deputy First Minister
Cabinet Secretaries
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