Nine new junior ministers complete Scottish Government reshuffle

Nicola Sturgeon has appointed nine new ministers to complete her government reshuffle a day after announcing major changes to her cabinet.

Seven of the new appointments were elected to Holyrood for the first time in 2016 as the First Minister said she wanted “fresh talent'' in government.

These include Kate Forbes, given the new post of minister for public finance and digital economy; Claire Haughey, who takes the Mental Health brief from Maureen Watt; and Gillian Martin, given responsibility for further education, higher education and science following her predecessor's promotion to a secretarial postion.

Other 2016 starts in the new team are Ash Denham, who takes on community safety, Ben MacPherson who takes the expanded brief of europe, migration and international development from Alasdair Allan, Mairi Gougeon in the new role covering rural affairs and the natural environment and Ivan McKee who takes responsibility for trade and investment.

Christina McKelvie was appointed to a new role covering older people and equalities, while Graeme Dey takes on parliamentary business and veterans.

Former veterans minister and economy secretary Keith Brown was one of the high profile names standing down from his government role on Tuesday along with health secretary Shona Robison and Angela Constance, who held the communities, social security and equalities brief.

Other major changes involved transport secretary Humza Yousaf and justice secretary Michael Matheson switching roles while Mike Russell, Shirley-Anne Somerville and Aileen Campbell moved from ministerial roles to cabinet posts, with former Brexit minister Mr Russell taking on the newly created post of Government Business and Constitutional Relations Secretary.

The new ministerial appointments are subject to parliamentary approval.

Ms Sturgeon said: “The new ministers I am announcing today bring a range of fresh talent to the Scottish Government, ensuring that we are equipped to deal with the challenges and maximise the opportunities facing the people of Scotland.

“The ministerial team represents constituencies the length and breadth of Scotland, coming with a range of professional backgrounds and bringing a breadth of real life experience to their roles.

“For instance, Claire Haughey brings her extensive background as a mental health nurse to the mental health portfolio, Kate Forbes will bring her finance background to bear in her brief, Gillian Martin has long experience in further education as a college lecturer, and Ivan McKee brings the expertise he has acquired from a highly successful career in business to the role of Trade and Innovation Minister.'