Cabinet ministers have been asked to put their reputations on the line by delivering pledges they say will improve life in Scotland, and implicitly stating what date they will have been achieved by.

BBC Scotland Political Editor Brian Taylor on the cabinet 'relaunch'

The move follows Presiding Officer Sir David Steel's attack on some sections of the press for whay he was the trivialisation of the new parliament.

The initiative is thought to be a first, and ministers from every department, like health and education, have identified key pledges they believe they can deliver.

To strengthen the challenge, each minister, including First Minister Donald Dewar, will sign the document and expect to be judged on its delivery.

Ministers say the move will show exactly what the new parliament can achieve.

'Incapable'

But the Scottish National Party said the relaunch was as a result of the pressure it has put on the executive.

"The only reason that the Lab/Lib Executive are relaunching themselves is because they have shown themselves to be incapable of doing their job," said party leader Alex Salmond.

"It is the Executive - not the Parliament - that is floundering and failing to deliver the policy agenda that most Scots want."

The relaunch comes on the day Sir David Steel, will repeat his attack on the print media - and the Daily Record in particular - at a Church of Scotland meeting.

Some in the executive, while sharing Sir David's frustration, fear his attack may simply provoke further hostile press coverage.