Stephen Flynn appointed Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for taxi and private hire licensing in Scotland

Stephen Flynn has been appointed Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, placing him in charge of one of the Scottish Government’s most influential portfolios — including direct responsibility for the regulation and licensing of taxi and private hire vehicles across Scotland.

His appointment forms part of the First Minister’s refreshed ministerial team. The Scottish Government confirmed that “Seven new Ministers have joined the Scottish Government, including six who enter government for the first time. This includes Stephen Flynn, Stephen Gethins, Hannah Mary Goodlad, Kirsten Oswald, Alison Thewliss and Simita Kumar.”

Mr Flynn, formerly the SNP’s Westminster leader, represented Aberdeen South in the UK Parliament before being elected to Holyrood in 2026. Born in Dundee, he studied history and politics at the University of Dundee and previously served as an Aberdeen City councillor, building a political profile rooted in the North East.

As Cabinet Secretary, Flynn now oversees a portfolio that brings together economic strategy, tourism development and national transport policy. Crucially, this includes the statutory framework governing taxi and private hire licensing, an area that continues to evolve as local authorities balance safety, accessibility, environmental commitments and the needs of operators and passengers. His role will involve shaping national policy, supporting local licensing authorities and ensuring that regulation keeps pace with wider transport and economic priorities.

The Institute of Licensing (IoL) looks forward to working with the new transport minister on taxi and private hire licensing, and to engaging constructively as the Government sets out its direction for the sector.