John Swinney's in-tray: Healthpublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 8 May

12:37 BST 8 May

Lisa Summers
BBC Scotland health correspondent

Tackling the growing problems of the NHS and social care is going to be one of John Swinney's biggest challenges.

Waiting lists for non-urgent treatments are at record highs; emergency departments are dangerously overcrowded; and there are not enough GPs to meet demand.

Things don't look like they are going to get better any time soon.

Budget cuts mean that the government has already instructed health boards to suspend all new NHS building projects for at least the next year and, as boards struggle to make savings, they are considering recruitment freezes or cutting back on the services they offer.

The government has been warned by the Auditor General that it needs to set out clear plans for reform because health boards cannot turn things around on their own.

The current Health Secretary Neil Gray has said he will address these issues, something his predecessor Michael Matheson had also promised before he resigned.

During his time in charge of the health service, Humza Yousaf set targets to end the longest waits - but none of those have been met.

That means longer waits to see a consultant, frustration at not being able to get an appointment with a GP, or struggles finding a carer. And politicians know these things are important to the voters they represent.

As John Swinney prepares to unveil his new cabinet team, BBC Scotland's correspondents have been looking at the challenges he will face when it comes to dealing with the biggest social and cultural issues in his in-tray. We'll kick things off with HEALTH.

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John Swinney won't be bringing back the power sharing Bute House agreement with the Greens, so what role will the party play and what can the SNP leader do to win their support?

Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater tells Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live programme: "We're going to have to work on a policy-by-policy basis.

"Many of the policies that were in the Bute House agreement are ones we believe in very sincerely, things like rent controls, better protection for tenants, upgrading Scotland's housing through the heating buildings bill, improving protections for nature."

She says all of these issues are "very important" for the Scottish Greens and they are keen to continue to work on these things as they'd be good for Scotland.

Without the Scottish Greens in government, there is a fear these progressive policies could be "watered down, delayed, underfunded" Slater adds.

John Swinney's in-tray: Some knotty problemspublished at 12:21 British Summer Time 8 May

12:21 BST 8 May

David Henderson
BBC Scotland Correspondent

John Swinney's in-tray is full of knotty problems. Some of his own making - and some left for him to clear up.

How does he deliver on his pledge to change the direction of government - while still keeping the Greens onside?

After all, he now heads a minority administration, so he may need Green votes to get new laws and his budgets approved.

With that in mind, what leading cabinet role will he dare to offer Kate Forbes without causing ructions with the Greens?

He pledged to grow Scotland's economy - so will this mean more support for the oil and gas industry, and less commitment to net zero targets?

How will he calm the debate on gender, which vexed Humza Yousaf during his time in office?

He's said he wants to refocus his government on more mainstream goals - like improving key public services such as health and education.

Then there’s the SNP’s key goal - restoring momentum on Scottish independence.

It’s easier said than done.

David Porter
BBC Scotland Westminster editor

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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has congratulated John Swinney on becoming First Minister of Scotland and said he looks forward to working constructively with him.

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Last March (yes, it was just over a year ago), former First Minister Humza Yousaf posed for pictures with his new cabinet on the steps of Bute House.

John Swinney was notably absent having announced he was leaving the government following the surprise resignation of Nicola Sturgeon.

Michael Matheson (bottom right) was named asYousaf's health secretary, one of the most high profile and demanding government posts.

But he resigned in February ahead of a report into an £11,000 bill that was racked up on his parliamentary iPad.

Swinney could go for a more streamlined teampublished at 12:02 British Summer Time 8 May

12:02 BST 8 May

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

Might John Swinney want to slim down his government?

When he became finance secretary in Alex Salmond’s first cabinet, there were only six ministers in the top tier, with 10 junior ministers.

Over the years the numbers have crept up - some to reflect political priorities, others as new powers over benefits, for example, transferred to Holyrood.

There are currently 10 members of the cabinet and 16 juniors. We lost two Green ministers a fortnight ago and their responsibilities have been absorbed into other portfolios.

This may be an opportunity to create a more streamlined team.

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Bute House. No 6 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. Official residence of the First Minister of Scotland. The location has been home to Scotland's leaders for decades and welcomed royals and dignitaries - even the odd uninvited guest.

It is now about to welcome its seventh first minister but it had a lengthy history before becoming home to the FM. It was once purchased by a shoemaker for £290 and in the 1820s was used as a hotel.

The room most familiar to the public - the drawing room - has seen many memorable moments in Scottish history from diplomatic visits to resignations.

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Like 10 Downing Street, Bute House functions as a home and a workplace.

The four-storey Grade A listed Georgian townhouse holds reception, sitting and dining rooms alongside offices. The second and third floors house the private residence of the first minister.

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As well as the well known portraits of the first ministers who have lived there, the house holds many pieces of art - a portrait of legendary SNP politician Winnie Ewing by Norman Edgar and a portrait of Robert Burns by Alexander Nasmyth.

Image source, Getty Images

The Cabinet room has been used since 1999 as a meeting room for Scottish ministers, with cabinet meetings there every Tuesday.

Now sworn in as first minister, John Swinney will appoint ministers in his reportedly "slimmed-down" government.

The big news of the day, of course, is that SNP leader John Swinney has been sworn in as the seventh first minister of Scotland.

He was confirmed in the role during a brief, formal ceremony at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Swinney takes office 25 years after he was first elected to the Scottish Parliament.

The first minister is now expected to appoint his cabinet in a series of meetings at his official residence, Bute House.

You can watch the comings and goings of ministers here with us - just click on the play icon at the top of the page.

We'll also provide reports and analysis as John Swinney picks his top team.

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

They’ve found him!

John Swinney is in Bute House, but we’re told not to expect any new cabinet ministers to arrive imminently.

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John Swinney was among the historic first intake of MSPs when the Scottish Parliament reconvened after 292 years in May 1999.

The ex-MP represented the former North Tayside Constituency until 2011.

Since then, Swinney has been MSP for Perthshire North.

As well as serving as deputy first minister from 2014 to 2023, he has held ministerial portfolios for education, Covid recovery and finance.

But today, after a quarter century at Holyrood, Swinney now has his hands on Holyrood's top job.

Building a new cabinetpublished at 11:23 British Summer Time 8 May

11:23 BST 8 May

David Henderson
BBC Scotland political correspondent

The Scottish government website features photos of the 10 current Scottish cabinet members.

A smiling John Swinney now occupies pride of place as first minister.

But some of those other cabinet photos are going to change.

We know Kate Forbes will return. She's been promised a plum job.

Who might make way for her?

Mr Swinney will want to reward his prominent campaign supporters - among them Mairi McAllan.

But she is due to take time off on maternity leave this summer.

So will Kate Forbes take over her Wellbeing Economy & Net Zero role for now?

Or will Mr Swinney reshape the cabinet entirely, to reflect his new priorities?

He won't want to sack colleagues, only to see them cause trouble on the backbenches in Parliament.

The official cabinet photo will be taken on the steps of Bute House mid-afternoon.

By that point, all should be clear.

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

The journalists waiting outside Bute House are getting restless.

Government aides seem to have lost the first minister.

He left the Court of Session a while ago and was expected at his official residence by now.

But there’s been no sign of him here, with officials wondering if he’s gone in the back door.

Image source, JANE BARLOW

Following a tumultuous two weeks for the SNP, John Swinney became party leader on Monday.

A contest was narrowly avoided, with a rival candidate - veteran SNP activist Graeme McCormick - withdrawing his bid at the 11th hour.

This paved the way for Humza Yousaf to formally resign as first minister on Tuesday - a move prompted by his tearing up of the power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens.

He had been in post for just over a year, having taken over the role from Nicola Sturgeon.

Read more here.

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After the ceremony, Swinney posed for a photograph with his wife, Elizabeth Quigley, and son Matthew, 13, outside the Court of Session.

The new first minister is now heading for Bute House as we await news of his cabinet appointments.

What lies ahead for Forbes and Robison?published at 11:07 British Summer Time 8 May

11:07 BST 8 May

Lynsey Bews
BBC Scotland political correspondent

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Now the ceremonial aspect of his appointment is over, John Swinney will head to his new official residence, Bute House, where he’s due to begin appointing his government.

And who is in – and out – of his cabinet will be the source of feverish speculation over the next few hours.

How many of those from Humza Yousaf’s top team will make the cut?

Of particular note will be the role given to Kate Forbes, the former SNP leadership candidate, who’s sure to be brought back into the fold.

There will also be interest in whether Shona Robison continues as deputy first minister, and the role given to Mairi McAllan, the economy secretary who was by Mr Swinney’s side during the SNP’s leadership process.

We're keeping a close eye on the Bute House door, as can you by pressing the play icon at the top of the page.

John Swinney is expected to arrive at his new official residence any time now.

After that he will appoint his new cabinet, meaning a parade of ministers will cross the Bute House threshold.

Stick with us as we bring you all the reports and analysis.

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

The tour buses passing by the first minister’s official residence today will get more than they bargained for.

There’s a growing media presence outside the Georgian house in Edinburgh in anticipation of the cabinet reshuffle.

The new first minister is expected to arrive at Bute House at 11:00 to begin appointing his government.

David Wallace Lockhart
Political correspondent

Continuing his first remarks to the media after being sworn in as first minister, John Swinney says it’s been an “abrupt change” for his family who will adjust and adapt.

He adds that his “driving mission” will be ending child poverty.

Swinney called on Parliament to come together in order to deliver this.

Asked about a cabinet position for Kate Forbes, the new first minister says he’d previously said he wanted her in a “significant role” and is “a man of my word”.

He says that he will engage with the Scottish Greens on their call to make the pilot programme of scrapping peak time rail fares permanent, but adds that everything has to be paid for and he’ll have to look at resources.

As we've been reporting, SNP leader John Swinney has been sworn in as the seventh first minister of Scotland.

The new FM has been speaking to the press outside the Court of Session in Edinburgh after the ceremony.

He says: "It's a really overwhelming moment to take the oath of office in front of the Lord President in the Court of Session and to formally assume the role of first minister.

"It is the privilege of my life."