NICOLA Sturgeon will reshuffle her Scottish Government cabinet next week with the creation of a new dedicated post to deal with the economy.

The First Minister said she will split the finance and economic growth responsibilities currently handled by Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, into two roles.

She said the new powers over tax and welfare and the current economic challenges posed by unemployment figures and difficulties facing businesses including in the North Sea and Clyde shipyards mean a new cabinet secretary for economic growth is necessary.

Ms Sturgeon said the post holder’s responsibility would be to “stimulate growth, boost productivity and create jobs.”

It will allow the Finance Secretary to focus on the new tax and welfare powers that Holyrood will have for the first time.

Ms Sturgeon refused to be drawn on who would fill the roles and would not confirm whether current Finance and Economic Growth Secretary, John Swinney, would have either role.

Given her commitment to a gender balanced cabinet it is possible the roles, which would be considered the most senior positions after the First Minister could be split between a man and a woman.

She said: “I’m not putting names to roles today.” Instead she said cabinet secretaries and government ministers would be announced next week after she is confirmed by parliament as First Minister.

She added: “It is not a reflection on how these roles have been done in the past but on the challenges of the future and the new powers on tax and welfare.”