Career
On 5 September 2012 she was appointed as Minister for Housing and Welfare, a portfolio intended to reflect the important role of housing in aiding economic recovery and the challenges that face those in poverty. In June 2015, Burgess announced that she would retire from Holyrood at the 2016 election. She pledged "full support for whoever is selected" as the new Scottish National Party candidate for her seat, and said "I look forward to joining the new candidate on the campaign trail.