A shake-up at the Scottish Cabinet has put Nicola Sturgeon, deputy first minister, in the infrastructure, investment and cities role.

Ms Sturgeon takes over from the previous infrastructure minister Alex Neil who has swapped for her old job and become the new cabinet secretary for health and wellbeing.

She has also been given the job of working towards Scottish independence.

Yeesterday, the SNP minister tweeted: "I am now really looking forward to new job - working for economic recovery & making the case for Scotland’s future as an independent nation."

The reshuffle also sees Margaret Burgess become Cabinet Secretary for Housing And Welfare, taking over from previous housing minister Keith Brown.

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The First Minister said the changes have been made in line with taking forward the Programme for Government which was announced this week and preparing Scotland for the independence referendum in 2014.

Michael Levack, head of the Scottish Building Federation, gave the new Infrastructure Minister a stamp of approval but said she would have an "extremely busy in-tray to deal with".

He said: "As she is the closest thing we have to a Construction Minister for Scotland, and filling the very capable shoes of Alex Neil, the building industry will look to Ms Sturgeon to 'pick up the pace' and hit the ground hard and running with new measures to kick-start life back into this strategically crucial sector of the Scottish economy. Through reinforced capital investment, streamlined planning and procurement, a renewed focus on making our buildings more energy efficient and a targeted programme to help firms recruit and retain construction apprentices, I look forward to Ms. Sturgeon redoubling the Scottish Government's efforts to put in place the building blocks for a sustainable long term recovery in the Scottish economy."

(NE)