Three new MSPs were among 15 junior ministerial appointments made by the first minister, after she was sworn in as first minister at a ceremony in the Court of Session.

Mairi McAllan, who was previously part of Ms Sturgeon's team of special advisers, became the new minister for environment, biodiversity and land reform.

George Adam, who has been an MSP since 2011 and was the SNP group chief whip at Holyrood, was made the new minister for parliamentary business.

Tom Arthur, who had been deputy whip, was given the role of public finance minister

Image source, bbc

The remaining junior appointments were as follows:

• Richard Lochhead, who was minister for further and higher education, is minister for just transition, employment and fair work
• Maree Todd, who was children's minister, becomes minister for public health, women's health and sport
• Kevin Stewart is moved from housing to minister for mental wellbeing and social care
• Clare Haughey, previously mental health minister, is minister for children and young people
• Jamie Hepburn is moved from business minister to further and higher education
• Graeme Dey, who had been veterans minister and parliamentary business minister, is transport minister
• Ben MacPherson, who was rural affairs and environment minister, is social security and local government
• Angela Constance remains drugs minister
• Ivan McKee remains trade minister
• Ash Denham remains community safety minister
• Christina McKelvie remains minister for equalities and older people
• Jenny Gilruth remains minister for Europe and international development.

'Big changes' to the cabinetpublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 20 May 2021

14:21 BST 20 May 2021

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent

Nicola Sturgeon has made big changes to her cabinet - even if many of the "new" faces are rather familiar ones.

To start with, she has slimmed down the full cabinet from 12 to 10, with roles such as environment and transport being combined.

Kate Forbes is the only minister who keeps their old job, with a beefed-up finance portfolio.

Michael Matheson keeps his transport job, but "net zero" and the climate emergency will be a big focus of his new role.

Shirley-Anne Somerville and Humza Yousaf have arguably the biggest jobs in education and health, and this is part of a pattern of posts going to more experienced hands rather than fresh faces.

This team actually has more in common with the cabinet appointed in 2016 than with the most recent version, from 2018 - with Keith Brown and Shona Robison reclaiming their places at the top table.

Another of the "new" ministers is Angus Robertson, a former deputy leader of the SNP who has 16 years of experience as an MP.

Mairi Gougeon is the only junior minister to win promotion into the full cabinet.

The first minister turns to her new cabinet appointments.

The new social justice, housing and local government secretary, Shona Robison will have responsibility for a number of government key priorities, says Ms Sturgeon.

The first minister says Keith Brown returns to government as justice secretary bringing "formidable experience".

Mairi Gougeon joins the cabinet with the rural economy and islands brief and she is "well versed" in the issues and is already working for farmers on the implications of the proposed tariff free trade deal with Australia.

"Finally Angus Robertson becomes cabinet secretary for the constitution, external affairs and culture," continues the first minister.

The first minister says in nominating the new cabinet and junior ministers she wants to first pay tribute to those who are departing government.

Ms Sturgeon says among Fiona Hyslop's many achievements was overseeing the abolition of tuition fees.

Fergus Ewing also performed a number of ministerial roles and the first minister notes his "tireless work" for rural communities during Brexit.

She gives her best wishes to both.

"I've appointed a serious government for the serious times we live in," continues the first minister.

Ms Sturgeon adds: "This government brings together experience with new talent and it is a team that can and indeed already has got straight down to business."

Image source, Getty Images/PA

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Nicola Sturgeon will now call on MSPs to approve the appointment of three new ministers:

• Mairi McAllan, who was previously part of Ms Sturgeon's team of special advisers, became the new minister for environment, biodiversity and land reform.
• George Adam, who has been an MSP since 2011 and was the SNP group chief whip at Holyrood, was made the new minister for parliamentary business.
• Tom Arthur, who had been deputy whip, was given the role of public finance minister

Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone gets proceedings under way by asking the first minister to move her two motions.

The first minister duly does.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Nicola Sturgeon will now call on MSPs to approver her four new faces in the cabinet.

They are:

• Angus Robertson as cabinet secretary for the constitution, external affairs and culture
• Keith Brown as justice secretary
• Mairi Gougeon as rural affairs secretary
• Shona Robison as cabinet secretary for social justice, housing and local government

Nicola Sturgeon yesterday unveiled her new cabinet team, with several new faces being appointed to ministerial roles.

Shirley-Anne Somerville has been named as the country's new education secretary, with Humza Yousaf moving from justice to health.

Mr Yousaf has been replaced as justice secretary by Keith Brown.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes will take on an expanded role which will also give her responsibility for the economy brief.

And Angus Robertson has been appointed as the constitution, external affairs and culture secretary - which is likely to be a key role as the Scottish government pushes for a second independence referendum.

Mr Robertson was once the SNP's leader at Westminster and became an MSP in the election earlier this month.

Today Ms Sturgeon will seek the approval of MSPs for her new faces in the cabinet and as junior ministers.

• Read more here
• John Swinney to be minister for Covid recovery
• What is in Nicola Sturgeon's in-tray?
• Look back on how Sturgeon's reshuffle unfolded

• From 2pm - Motion to appoint Scottish ministers
• Motion to appoint junior Scottish ministers
• Election of members to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
• Urgent Questions on discharges to care homes and Covid evictions

Image source, PA Media

MSPs are set to approve Nicola Sturgeon's ministerial team this afternoon.

The first minister has named her cabinet and junior ministers, but the Scottish Parliament has to give a green light.

MSPs must also elect the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, which administers the resources of the parliament as well as its budget.