20 Facts About Shirley-Anne Somerville

Shirley-Anne Somerville was born on 2 September 1974 and is a Scottish politician who has served as Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice in the devolved Scottish government since 2023.

Shirley-Anne Somerville lost her seat in the 2011 election and in 2012 was announced as a director of Yes Scotland.

Shirley-Anne Somerville served as Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science from 2016 to 2018, before being appointed to the Scottish Cabinet as Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People in Nicola Sturgeon's 2018 cabinet reshuffle.

Shirley-Anne Somerville was re-elected to the Scottish Parliament in the 2021 election, and in Sturgeon's third government, she was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.

Shirley-Anne Somerville was born on 2 September 1974 in Cardenden in Fife.

Shirley-Anne Somerville was educated at Kirkcaldy High School, before attending the University of Strathclyde from 1992 to 1996, graduating with a BA in Economics and Politics.

From 1997 to 1999, Shirley-Anne Somerville attended the University of Stirling, where she gained a Diploma in Housing Studies.

Shirley-Anne Somerville worked as a parliamentary researcher for Duncan Hamilton, who was the MSP for Highlands and Islands.

Shirley-Anne Somerville joined the Scottish National Party when she was 16.

Shirley-Anne Somerville later stood as the SNP candidate in the Dunfermline by-election, 24 October 2013, coming second behind Cara Hilton of Scottish Labour.

Shirley-Anne Somerville did not return to her position in Yes Scotland after the by-election.

Shirley-Anne Somerville campaigned in favour of Scottish independence in the run up to the 2014 referendum.

Shirley-Anne Somerville promoted Somerville to the new cabinet level position of Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, succeeding Jeane Freeman who served as the junior minister equivalent.

In early 2020, Shirley-Anne Somerville announced the government would propose to amend the Gender Recognition Act 2004 of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Shirley-Anne Somerville emphasised her commitment not to jeopardise women's rights.

Shirley-Anne Somerville hoped for the bill to be passed by the end of the 5th Scottish Parliament delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic have affected this ambition.

In June 2021, Shirley-Anne Somerville revealed plans to reform the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Education Scotland was under way.

In March 2022, Shirley-Anne 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.

Shirley-Anne Somerville then retained this post in John Swinney's subsequent government formed in May 2024.

Shirley-Anne Somerville is a trustee of Shelter Scotland, and is a member of the RSPB and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.