THE NEW of the Holyrood Cabinet has met for the first time.

Nicola Sturgeon announced her new "team of talents", with a 50-50 gender split on Friday, two days after becoming Scotland's first female leader.

A new Government programme, due to be revealed on Wednesday, was agreed during yesterday's two-hour session in Edinburgh.

The meeting also gave Ms Sturgeon a chance to welcome the new members.

Roseanna Cunningham and Keith Brown joined seven other SNP colleagues, including Alex Neil and Angela Constance around the table for the first time.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney, who will retain his position as Finance Secretary, accompanied Ms Sturgeon at the Cabinet table.

Ms Sturgeon said the team would take forward the Scottish government's aim to create a "socially democratic and socially just" Scotland.

She said they would work with "verve, vigour and determination" to "address poverty, support business, promote growth and tackle inequality".

Former legal affairs minister Ms Cunningham is now Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training, while ex-transport minister Keith Brown takes over as Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities. Michael Matheson has taken on the justice portfolio after Kenny MacAskill's departure.

Richard Lochhead and Fiona Hyslop remain as Environment and Culture Secretaries respectively.

Health Minister Shona Robison gave an update on the Government's response to the report on the 2007 C-Diff outbreak report at the Vale of Leven Hospital, before leaving early to meet with the affected families.

Meanwhile, Scottish Tory and LidDem leaders met to discuss the future of devolution in the UK at a select committee meeting.

The Political and Constitutional Reform Committee, chaired by Labour MP Graham Allen, met with Ruth Davidson and Willie Rennie yesterday afternoon.

hannah.rodger@eveningtimes.co.uk