East Renfrewshire MP Kirsten Oswald has been reappointed to the SNP’s front bench amid a reshuffle by the party’s Westminster leader Steven Flynn.

Mr Flynn announced his revamped team as the party ramps up preparations for a general election, which is expected to take place next year.

Ms Oswald has retained her post as spokesperson for women and equalities, a role which she has held since February 2021.

She told the Barrhead News: “I am delighted that I have been reappointed to the SNP Westminster front bench as spokesperson for women and equalities.

“East Renfrewshire is a constituency which is so much the better for our diversity, and it will be a privilege to continue to speak up for women and our diverse communities as part of my job.

“Having served in this role since February 2021, I have pressed the UK Government on a broad range of issues including violence against women and girls, fair work and maternity and paternity rights.”

The reshuffle also sees Amy Callaghan take over from Martyn Day as the party’s health spokesperson at Westminster.

Anum Qaisar becomes the party’s new levelling up spokesperson, a post which had been held by Chris Stephens.

Mhairi Black remains as Westminster deputy leader, despite announcing she is to quit the Commons at the next election.

Stewart Hosie, who is also among the eight SNP MPs who have so far declared they will not be standing for election next year, is removed from the economy brief, with Drew Hendry taking on this role.

Phillipa Whitford, another of the group of MPs who are stepping down, is replaced as the party’s Scotland spokesperson by Tommy Sheppard.

Elsewhere Alan Brown is replaced as energy spokesperson by Dave Doogan, who had been the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson.

Like Ms Oswald, SNP colleagues David Linden, Alison Thewliss and Alyn Smith all retain their current posts, and will continue to speak for the party on social justice, home affairs, and Europe and EU accession respectively.

“I intend to continue holding the UK Tory Government to account and always standing up for my constituents in East Renfrewshire,” added Ms Oswald.

“As part of the SNP's new frontbench team, I will pile pressure on the UK government to help families with the cost of living, making the positive case for independence in Europe, and investment in Scotland’s enormous renewable energy potential, as the best route to securing strong and sustained economic growth.”