East Renfrewshire MP Blair McDougall has taken over the construction brief from Chris McDonald, holding a joint ministerial role across the energy security and business departments.

Construction brief changes hands

McDougall has been appointed Construction Minister as part of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s cabinet reshuffle. He replaces Chris McDonald, who held the role for ten months and has moved to become Minister of State for Science.

The Scottish MP has represented East Renfrewshire since July 2024. He previously served as Junior Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation during 2025, with responsibility for legislation intended to strengthen late-payment protections for small businesses and self-employed workers.

Before entering Parliament, McDougall worked as a political strategist, campaigner and speechwriter. He worked for the Scottish Labour Party between 2014 and 2016 and led the Better Together campaign during the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.

Wider departmental changes

The reshuffle also brings Angela Rayner back to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, replacing Steve Reed. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook remains in post.

The government has yet to confirm who will replace Samantha Dixon as Building Safety Minister. Ministers Florence Eshalomi and Sally Jameson are identified as potential successors, although their departmental briefs have not been confirmed.