John Swinney, who led the SNP two decades ago, was the only candidate to replace First Minister Humza Yousaf as the leader of the party. The SNP has been in turmoil since long-serving First Minister Nicola Sturgeon abruptly stepped down last year during a campaign finance investigation that eventually led to criminal charges against her husband.

The Scottish government is to declare a national housing emergency. The announcement will come from the Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville during a Labour-led debate at Holyrood. Ms Somerville is expected to blame UK government austerity and Brexit for the decision.

SNP ministers have declared a “housing emergency” in Scotland after cutting their affordable homes budget by a quarter as rent controls introduced by Nicola Sturgeon backfired. Shirley-Anne Somerville,

EXCLUSIVE: Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has confirmed the Swinney Government's new position.