Sturgeon chairs first meeting of her new Cabinet

FIRST MINISTER Nicola Sturgeon chaired the first meeting of the new Scottish Cabinet today just two days before the first legislative programme of her government will be announced to Holyrood.

Ms Sturgeon revealed her top ministerial team with a 50-50 gender split on Friday. Picture: Neil Hanna

Ms Sturgeon convened the first cabinet meeting of her tenure as First Minister in Edinburgh. She is set to announce her first legislative programme to MSPs on Wednesday.

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Defeated SNP deputy leadership contender Angela Constance has replaced Michael Russell as education secretary, and Michael Matheson has taken on the justice portfolio after Kenny MacAskill’s departure.

Former sports secretary Shona Robison was handed the role of health secretary in last week’s reshuffle, with Alex Neil moving to the role of cabinet secretary for social justice, communities and pensioners’ rights.

Former legal affairs minister Roseanna Cunningham is now the cabinet secretary for fair work, skills and training, while ex-transport minister Keith Brown is the new secretary for infrastructure, investment and cities.

Richard Lochhead and Fiona Hyslop remain in their roles as Environment and Culture Secretaries respectively.

SEE ALSO:

• Tom Peterkin: Nicola Sturgeon mixes old and new

• Nicola Sturgeon named Scots Politician of the Year

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