First Minister Alex Salmond recently announced changes to the Scottish Government ministerial team.

Angela Constance has been named as the Minister for Youth Employment, following the First Minister’s announcement of the new post last week.

Aileen Campbell will move to Ms Constance’s previous role of Minister for Children and Young People, and Derek Mackay joins the government as the Minister for Local Government and Planning.

Ms Constance said: “The Scottish Government has developed a range of good initiatives – such as the record 25,000 Modern Apprenticeships per year, and ‘Opportunities for All’ to guarantee a training or learning place for all 16-19 year-olds – but more needs to be done and more will be done. I am meeting local authorities, the third sector, college sector and private sector employers to consider how to maximise the effectiveness of the £30 million of new resources we have allocated to boost youth employment.

“I also plan to convene a special session of the National Economic Forum early in the new year to ensure that we keep listening to new ideas, keep working harder for our young people, and move forward together for their benefit. We face great economic challenges, and I am committed to working with business, the third and public sectors, and of course young people, to ensure that the investments we have and the new initiatives we will take leave no young person behind.”