First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Wednesday she will appoint her new cabinet next week — and will split the role of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy into separate portfolios.

Sturgeon said the new cabinet secretary for the economy will “… focus entirely on supporting the economy and engaging intensively with business to make sure we’re doing everything possible to stimulate growth, boost productivity, and protect and create well-paid jobs.”

The First Minster stressed that splitting John Swinney’s existing role was “not a reflection on how these jobs have been done in the past — it’s a reflection of the challenges and opportunities we face in the future …

“The economic challenges, but also the recognition that we are going to be preparing for and then dealing with the introduction of new powers on tax and on welfare.”