Humza Yousaf has unveiled his first Scottish cabinet with a big reshuffle and some new faces around the table.

Shona Robison, a long-serving MSP and long-time ally of Nicola Sturgeon is the new Deputy First Minister and she will take on the finance portfolio, including responsibility for the Scottish Budget.

She takes on the finance job after Mr Yousaf removed Kate Forbes, his rival for the leadership job and offered her a job in charge of rural affairs instead, which she refused.

Yousaf was sworn in as First Minister after he was elected by the Scottish Parliament yesterday 

MSPs turned up at Bute House throughout the day to find out what roles they were being offered in Mr Yousaf's government.

The First Minister said it was a team to deliver his "radical and ambitious"agenda.

While opponents branded it a "dismal B-list".

Michael Matheson takes on the job of health from Mr Yousaf with the title of Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care.

He is another long-time government minister previously having been public health minister, justice secretary and Transport secretary.

There are promotions for a number of MSPs who were ministers under Nicola Sturgeon.

Jenny Gilruth steps up to cabinet from transport minister to Education Secretary, Mairi McAllan becomes Net Zero Secretary and Neil Gray, Mr Yousaf’s campaign manager takes on Economy and energy.

Angus Robertson stays in his post as Constitution secretary and Mhairi Gougeon remains at Rural Affairs

Shirley-Anne Somerville becomes Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, moving from Education and Angela Constance returns to Cabinet as the new Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs moving from her post as drug policy minister.

The full Cabinet, with Mr Yousaf as First Minister:

Shona Robison Finance Secretary and Deputy First Minister.

Michael Matheson becomes the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care.

Jenny Gilruth Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.

Màiri McAllan Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition.

Neil Gray Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy.

Mairi Gougeon Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands.

Angus Robertson Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.

Shirley-Anne Somerville Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.

Angela Constance new Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs.

The shuffle means Keith Brown, Ivan McKee, as well as Kate Forbes, leave the cabinet.

Mr Yousaf is expected to confirm the junior ministerial roles in the coming days.

Mr Yousaf said: “The Cabinet team I have unveiled reflects the priorities that we will pursue as a government, including tackling child poverty, improving public services and building a fairer, greener economy.

“Ahead of my appointment as First Minister, I have committed myself to a radical, ambitious and progressive policy agenda for Scotland and I know that this team is the right one to deliver it.

“I want to thank those Ministers departing government for their leadership over the last few years, through many storms not of our making – the economic damage caused by Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, austerity and the cost of living crisis. Those Ministers – led so ably by Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney - leave a strong legacy for the new team to build on.”

He referred to his cabinet as having a mix of younger members and more experienced politicians.

He added: “I have made clear my belief Scotland’s government should look as much as possible like the people we represent.

“As well as being the first ever First Minister from a minority ethnic background, I am pleased that a record number of women have agreed to serve, as well as a significant blend of younger and more experienced members. That said, every single appointment has been made on merit.”

He added that his government will work towards ensuring Scotland has another referendum on independence.

Mr Yousaf said: “Every single person in this government is clear that it is for the people of Scotland to determine their constitutional future, no one else, and we will work to ensure that they are given that right.

“As we make the case for Scottish independence, we will continue to govern well and demonstrate to the people of Scotland the benefits of decisions about their lives being taken here in Scotland.”

While Labour described the appointments as a ”dismal B-list”.

Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour deputy leader said: “The First Minister promised to bring the country together, but he can’t even bring his own party together.
“This dismal cabinet cements the SNP’s new status as a deeply divided party led by B-rate politicians.
“Loyalty is being rewarded over talent but both are in short supply in the SNP.
“At the heart of this continuity government are some of the most incompetent politicians of the last decade, set to deliver more of the same failure.
“While the SNP are mired in chaos, Scottish Labour is united in our vision to deliver the change Scotland desperately needs.”