First Minister Alex Salmond was accused of presiding over a “bloated government” after he significantly increased the size-and cost to the public -of his cabinet.
The changes, announced in the wake of the SNP’s landslide victory in the Holyrood election, mean there are now nine senior ministers, an increase of three.
They also stressed the pay levels have been frozen since 2008.
The most significant change to the portfolios is that Perthshire North MSP John Swinney will have an increased focus on jobs in his finance, employment and sustainable growth brief.
The first minister said the changes would help the government deliver on Scotland’s priorities.
“Alex Neil joins the cabinet for the first time, reflecting a renewed focus on jobs and investment, so that we sustain Scotland’s recovery,” he said.
“This week, Scottish unemployment fell below the rate south of the border, and we are determined to continue this progress which is why we also need to win new job-creating powers in the Scotland Bill.
“As a cabinet secretary, Bruce Crawford will deliver on the government’s pledge to seek the maximum possible support for the government’s policy and legislative proposals regardless of our majority position and he will take on an important new role of developing government strategy and co-ordinating policy delivery across portfolios.
“Major new opportunities are opening up on the global stage, with enormous and growing international interest in Scotland, and as cabinet secretary Fiona Hyslop will be in a position to ensure that these are realised in full for the nation’s commercial and cultural benefit.”
Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray welcomed the focus on jobs.
“Labour throughout the election campaign stressed that Scotland needed a plan for jobs and I welcome the announcement in the new cabinet of how the finance minister’s portfolio will focus on jobs,” he said.
“We agree that we need to get Scotland working.”
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said, “I congratulate the ministerial team on their nominations. They have quite a task in front of them. When they present long term solutions for Scotland to get the economy moving, to support business or to improve education, then we’ll support them.”
Announcements also included the appointment of Scotland’s new law officers.
The new lord advocate is Frank Mulholland, who steps up from the position of solicitor general to succeed Elish Angiolini. Lesley Thomson, who has built up a substantial reputation in the field of criminal confiscation, replaced him as solicitor general.
Mr Salmond was earlier sworn in to the role of first minister, one day after his re-election by MSPs.
He was asked to swear allegiance to the Queen at a ceremony at the Court of Session before signing a parchment, watched by Ms Angiolini.