By Steve Bargeton, political editor

FIRST MINISTER Alex Salmond promised that his government would be slimmer and yesterday, in his first act in the top job, he delivered.

Under the Labour-Lib Dem coalition there were 11 cabinet ministers. Now there are to be only six.

Overall the number of ministers will be cut from 19 to 16 and Executive departments reorganised from nine to six—although there will be no job cuts.

Not only are there fewer cabinet ministers but they are to have new titles. Under the old regime we had ministers and deputy ministers. In the new administration we have six cabinet secretaries and 10 ministers.

Cabinet secretaries will be paid the same rate as the old ministers—£39,897; ministers the same as the old deputy ministers—£24,989 and the First Minister—£76,907. This on top of their MSP’s salary of £53,091.

With a cabinet of only six and more than six front bench SNP opposition spokesmen in the last parliament, someone was bound not to get a cabinet job when the nationalists came to power.

Dundee East MSP Shona Robison was the shadow health minister but SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon has been nominated as the new health secretary.

Last night Ms Robison, who is to be the new public health minister, was by no means disappointed. “Public health is the job I asked for and the job I have been given,” she said.

“I work very well with Nicola. There are huge challenges in public health and I am looking forward to getting on with the job.”

Today MSPs will be asked to approve Mr Salmond’s cabinet and junior ministerial teams now broken down into six new departments.

The First Minister’s department is headed by the First Minister Alex Salmond responsible for development, implementation and presentation of Government policy, constitutional affairs, and for promoting and representing Scotland.

Under him are two ministers—the new Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford (for the last eight years an MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife) who is responsible for parliamentary affairs and the management of Government business in the Parliament, and Linda Fabiani, the minister for Europe, external affairs and culture.

The huge finance and sustainable growth department comes under North Tayside MSP and former SNP leader John Swinney.

Mr Swinney is responsible for the economy, the Scottish Budget, public service reform, de-regulation, local government, public service delivery, cities and community planning, relocation, e-government, procurement, budgetary monitoring, business and industry including Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise’ trade and inward investment, corporate social responsibility, voluntary sector and the social economy, community business and co-operative development, European Structural Funds, energy, tourism, land use planning system, climate change, building standards, transport policy and delivery, public transport, road, rail services, air and ferry services, and Scottish Water.

He has two ministers—Jim Mather the minister for enter-prise energy and tourism and Stewart Stevenson who has been given the key transport, infrastructure and climate change portfolio.

The cabinet secretary for education and lifelong learning is Fiona Hyslop responsible for further and higher education, science and lifelong learning, school education, training and skills, HM Inspectorate of Education and the Scottish Qualifications Authority, nurseries and childcare, children’s services, children’s hearings, social work and HM Social Work Inspectorate.

She, too, will have two ministers—Maureen Watt the minister for schools and skills and Adam Ingram the minister for children and early years.

The cabinet secretary for health and wellbeing is Nicola Sturgeon, who will also be deputy first minister.

Her responsibilities include the NHS, health service reform, allied healthcare services, acute and primary services, performance, quality and improvement framework, health promotion, sport, public health, health improvement, pharmaceutical services, food safety and dentistry, community care, older people, mental health, learning disability, substance misuse, social inclusion, equalities, anti-poverty measures, housing and regeneration. Under her will be Ms Robison, minister for public health, and Stewart Maxwell, minister for communities and sport.

The justice portfolio goes to Kenny MacAskill, the SNP justice spokesman in the last parliament.

He is responsible for criminal law and procedure, youth justice, criminal justice social work, police, prisons and sentencing policy, legal aid, legal profession, courts and law reform, anti-social behaviour, sectarianism, human rights, fire and rescue services, community safety, civil contingencies, drugs policy and related matters, liquor licensing, vulnerable witnesses, victim support and civil law, charity law, religious and faith organisations. He will have one minister—Fergus Ewing, the minister for community safety.

The cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment is Richard Lochhead. His res- ponsibilities include agriculture, fisheries and rural development including aquaculture and forestry, environment and natural heritage, land reform, water quality regulation and sustainable development. He will have one minister—Michael Russell, minister for environment.