John Swinney announces new Scottish cabinet

John Swinney has unveiled a slimmed-down Scottish cabinet after being re-appointed as Scotland's first minister.

Former education secretary Jenny Gilruth has been named deputy first minister and finance secretary.

Mairi McAllan, Angela Constance, Neil Gray, Shirley-Anne Somerville and Gillian Martin also retained cabinet positions.

Former SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and ex-public finance minister Ivan McKee were the only new additions to the senior team.

Swinney made the appointments at his official residence, Bute House in Edinburgh, after being officially sworn in at a ceremony in the Court of Session.

Five of Swinney's 12 cabinet secretaries departed at this month's election, allowing the first minister to trim the size of his top team to nine in line with his efforts to make efficiency savings.

Gilruth, a former modern studies teacher who is married to ex-Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, called it the greatest honour of her life to be appointed deputy first minister.

New Economy and Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn, who has been tipped as a future SNP leader, joined the cabinet days after being elected to Holyrood for the first time.

Mairi McAllan, who was thought to be in the running to become deputy first minister, was instead given the education brief.

McKee, a former businessman, had held several junior ministerial roles previously but is now stepping up to the cabinet for the first time as public service reform secretary, with the government eyeing big savings.

Neil Gray, the former health secretary, and Angela Constance, the ex-justice secretary, have swapped roles.

Gillian Martin is to remain in her role as climate action secretary, with added responsibilities for rural affairs.

Shirley-Anne Somerville has held onto the social justice brief, while also taking up the housing role.

Swinney has taken over responsibility for the constitution brief, which previously lay with the culture secretary.

Culture now falls under the remit of Education Secretary McAllan. Her former cabinet role, overseeing housing, has been rolled into Somerville's social justice brief.

Who is in the new Scottish cabinet?

Swinney said he had put together a "leaner, more agile government".

He said the ministers would bring "experience, drive and a determination to deliver for Scotland".

Speaking outside Bute House, he told reporters the cabinet would be focused on "the priorities of the people", citing the cost of living, growing the economy, improving the NHS, tackling child poverty and public sector reform.

Swinney said he wanted to bring Gilruth's "strength, capability and political intelligence" into the "heart of government".

He also said Flynn would provide "excellent leadership" in his role.

Former cabinet members Kate Forbes, Shona Robison, Fiona Hyslop and Mairi Gougeon all stood down at the election, while Angus Robertson lost his seat.

Four junior ministers - Natalie Don-Innes, Graeme Dey, Richard Lochhead and Kaukab Stewart - also vacated their Holyrood seats.

Cutting three cabinet roles will save the taxpayer about £175,000 a year in salary payments.

The ministerial appointments will be approved by parliament on Thursday before being rubber-stamped by the King.

Earlier, Swinney was sworn in as Scotland's first minister.

He was nominated in a vote at parliament before a swearing in ceremony at the Court of Session.

The first minister was confirmed in the role after the King issued a warrant approving his appointment.

He took the oath of office, declared his allegiance to King Charles and was confirmed as Keeper of the Scottish Seal.

Outside the court, the first minister said taking the oath had been "daunting".

"It's a very solemn proceeding and it emphasises the significance and the weight of responsibility that is carried by the person that holds the office of first minister," he told BBC Scotland News.