NICOLA Sturgeon has dramatically reshuffled and expanded her cabinet, promoting five new faces to the top of government.

The First Minister said the changes were designed to cope with the impact of Brexit on government business and the introduction of a devolved social security system.

Health Secretary Shona Robison, Communities Secretary Angela Constance and Economy Secretary Keith Brown are leaving the government, as are three junior ministers.

The cabinet is expanded from 10 to 12 places.

The respected social security minister Jeane Freeman becomes the new health Secretary, transport minister Humza Yousaf becomes justice secretary, universities minister Shirley Anne-Somerville is social security secretary, public health minister Aileen Campbell becomes communities secretary, and Brexit minister Michael Russell is elevated to cabinet rank as secretary for government business and constitutional relations.

Former justice secretary Michael Matheson is moved sideways to become secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay’s brief is expanded to include some of Mr Brown's former work on the economy and fair work.

He will be supported by new ministers for public finance and trade.

Education secretary John Swinney, environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham, rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing and external affairs secretary Fiona Hyslop stay in their own roles, although Mr Ewing’s has been pared down.

Sacked are international development minister Dr Alasdair Allan, community safety minister Annabelle Ewing, and mental health minister Maureen Watt.

More ministers are expected to be named tomorrow.

The new line up is likely to stay in place until the 2021 Holyrood election.

Ms Sturgeon said: “The new Cabinet brings fresh talent to the Scottish Government and ensures that we are fully equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities facing the country in the months and years ahead.

“With the impact of Brexit on our economy and wider society, it is right that the issues it presents are fully reflected at Cabinet level, while the delivery of a new Scottish social security system also requires a voice at the Cabinet table.

“Those appointments, together with the reshaped portfolios announced today, mean that people can have confidence that the Scottish Government will continue to deliver for people, public services and communities the length and breadth of the country.

“People already have high trust in the Scottish Government to look after their interests, and I am determined that this new, refreshed Cabinet will continue to repay that trust.

“I would like to place on record my thanks and gratitude to Keith Brown, Shona Robison and Angela Constance who are leaving Cabinet today for the hard work, commitment and dedication they have brought to the Government. Each of them has achievements that they can be proud of and I know that they will all continue to make a strong contribution to the cause of a better Scotland.

“I will shortly be appointing a fully refreshed junior ministerial team, which will also include a number of fresh faces and a wealth of new talent.”

Ms Robison and Ms Constance wrote to Nicola Sturgeon to confirm they were leaving.

In her resignation letter to Ms Sturgeon, Mr Robison said her three and a half years in the post had been an immense privilege “albeit at times very challenging and all consuming”.

She said her last year had been “particularly challenging” on a personal level, as she had lost both parents, had a health scare of her own, and seen other “big changes” in her life.

“I thank you for your support during these difficult times,” she wrote.

“I feel that I have reached a point in my life just now where I would be best to step down from a role in Government. I have entered a new chapter in my life, including a new relationship, where it would be good to take time to focus on those closest to me, who have too often had to come second place to my job, which has hard for us all.”

She said her proudest achievement was seeing a minimum unit pricing for alcohol enforced.

In reply, Ms Sturgeon said Ms Robison had “served with distinction” over her 11 years in government, and said her time as health secretary had ended with high levels of patient satisfaction and the lowest A&E waiting times in the UK for three years.

She also said the integration of health and social care was to her “immense credit”.

She wrote: “I know that recent years have brought a number of personal challenges for you, including the loss of both your parents and health worries of your own, among other issues.

“Despite this, you continued to serve the people of Scotland with dedication, just as you did your loved ones. I am delighted to wish you every happiness in your new relationship.”

Ms Sturgeon’s correspondence with Ms Constance lacked any such warmth, and Ms Constance offered no reason for leaving, strongly suggesting she was sacked.

The Almond Valley MSP said it had been an honour to serve in government for eight years, and said she had been particularly proud of her work on affordable homes, social security, gender recognition on public boards, gypsy travellers and child poverty.

“I have been very lucky throughout my political life to have had the support of my family and there is no doubt that without them I couldn’t have undertaken the many roles I have had the privilege of occupying,” she wrote.

“I look forward to spending more times with them and my growing son.”

In rely, Ms Sturgeon said Ms Constance had worked “tirelessly to give a voice at the Cabinet table to those who are not always heard in society”.

She said: “The fact Scotland has received international recognition for the work we have done to support refugees, on LGBTI+ rights, on women’s right and many other areas is in no small part down to your leadership.”

Scottish Tory deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: “It’s now a year since Nicola Sturgeon promised a refresh of her government, so this reshuffle has been a long time coming.

“There may well have been a few ministerial changes.

“But this is an SNP government that is tired, completely out of ideas and all over the place on key issues. The people of Scotland are coming to the view that Nicola Sturgeon’s time is up.”

Scottish LibDem leader Willie Rennie said he admired the dedication of former ministers.

However he added: “Nevertheless, change was required in the leadership of our NHS.

“We have seen long waiting times, a shortage of nurses and doctors and mental health service reform that fails to match up to what is required. If the change in the ministerial team is not matched by a change of policy then our NHS will continue to decline.”

Ms Sturgeon had nine cabinet secretaries before her reshuffle

John Swinney - Education and Skills (since 2016)

Michael Matheson - Justice (2014)

Angela Constance - Communities, Social Security and Equalities (2016)

Fiona Hyslop - Culture, Tourism and External Affairs (2011)

Derek Mackay - Finance and Constitution (2016)

Shona Robison - Health and Sport (2014)

Keith Brown - Economy, Jobs and Fair Work (2016)

Roseanna Cunningham - Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (2016)

Fergus Ewing - Rural Economy and Connectivity (2016)

She now has 11

John Swinney - Education and Skills

Aileen Campbell - Communities and Local Government

Michael Russell - Government Business and Constitutional Relations

Michael Matheson - Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity

Jeane Freeman - Health and Sport

Derek Mackay - Finance, Economy and Fair Work

Roseanna Cunningham - Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform

Fergus Ewing - Rural Economy

Shirley Anne-Somerville - Social Security and Older People

Humza Yousaf - Justice

Fiona Hyslop - Culture, Tourism and External Affairs