Sturgeon says rents will be frozen 'from today'

1. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says there will be emergency legislation to parliament that "gives renters security" through a rent freeze
2. Her programme for government announcements coincide with Liz Truss being sworn in as the new prime minister
3. Ms Sturgeon calls on the new PM to freeze energy prices. She also says more Treasury money is essential otherwise "hard choices" will need to be made
4. The FM warns: "Quite simply, given all I have set out, we cannot do everything that, in more normal times, we’d want to do."
5. An emergency Scottish budget will be made in the coming weeks, once it becomes clear how Ms Truss intends to react
6. Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says "both governments need to tackle the cost of living crisis together", but Ms Sturgeon is prioritising another independence referendum

The programme for government: The key points

Nicola Sturgeon has announced a rent freeze for public and private rented properties as part of efforts to help people struggling with rising bills.

The first minister's government is to table emergency legislation banning evictions during winter and freezing rents until spring.

There are also plans to freeze rail fares and to boost the Scottish Child Payment to £25 per week from November.

Ms Sturgeon has also written to new Prime Minister Liz Truss, asking her to convene a four-nation meeting of political leaders to focus on helping households.

Other measures in the programme for government included abolishing the controversial "not proven" verdict.

Sturgeon announces Scottish rent freeze plan to tackle cost of living

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross accused the first minister of playing to her supporters.

"The SNP and the Greens are failing to put their party politics aside in the face of these massive challenges that we're facing," he said.

"They're failing to pause their priorities to focus on the national interest.

"And they're failing to rise to the challenge of this crisis and be bold in their action, which the public expect."

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar welcomed the Scottish Government's "change of heart" on rent freezes.

That's all from us here on the live page, have a good evening.

At-a-glance: The new bills

The proposals announced by Nicola Sturgeon as part of the Programme for Government included:

• A moratorium on evictions from rented accommodation - both private and social - this winter
• A rent freeze for both social and private tenants until the end of March next year
• An increase in the Scottish Child Payment from £20 a week to £25 from 14 November
• Free school meals to be extended to include pupils in primaries six and seven
• Fares on ScotRail to be frozen until at least March 2023
• abolishing the not proven verdict as part of a Criminal Justice Bill
• establishing a new public body responsible for qualifications through an Education Reform Bill
• a Local Visitor Levy Bill to give councils the power to apply a levy on overnight stays
• government support for a bill to protect safe access for women to healthcare facilities that provide abortion services

You can read the full list of bills here.

FM should be 'ashamed' at focus on independence, says Lib Dem leader

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton says the programme for government is a “poor read” which provides “very thin gruel” to anxious Scots looking for reassurance.

He says freezing rail fare prices until March only delays a further increase by two months and after 15 years in power, the SNP government lacks the “humility, creativity and ambition necessary” to solve the problems facing the Scottish people.

Mr Cole-Hamilton criticises the new prime minister Liz Truss, saying the UK population has "no faith that the Conservative government has their best interests at heart".

And he says the SNP's focus this summer has been on "breaking up the UK and desperately passing the buck for things they manifestly have the power to fix".

He hopes the FM felt a “profound sense of shame” as she "moved between venues at the Edinburgh Fringe" while the bin strikes caused by "year on year cuts to local council funding" resulted in "all that mess", "lost business" and "reputational damage" to the city.

"Our capital was disgraced and diminished by the strikes," he says.

STUC welcomes freezing rents

Roz Foyer, the general secretary of the STUC (Scottish Trade Union Congress) says the Scottish government should be commended for freezing rents.

She says that the powers of the Scottish Parliament can bring positive change and now tax powers should be used to bring in more income.

"The Scottish government could raise millions from income, wealth and business taxes," she said.

"The Local Visitor Levy is a step in the right direction in this regard."

Analysis

Douglas Fraser

Scotland business & economy editor

If there's to be a 'big bazooka' response to the energy price crisis, no-one disputes that Westminster is the legislature with the powers to do that. And that seems to be where new prime minister Liz Truss is heading this week.

Scotland's First Minister made much of the powers she lacks at Holyrood to address the challenges facing homes and businesses, planting herself firmly on the side of public sector workers wanting pay to keep pace with price inflation, but without the funds to ensure that happens.

Much of Nicola Sturgeon's Programme for Government is about exhorting others or getting them to take the strain; notably the Westminster government, but also banks to go easy on mortgage non-payers, on ScotRail free fares until next March, and for private landlords, a freeze on both rents and evictions until next April, with immediate effect.

Resulting from the deal with Scottish Green MSPs, the Scottish government has been consulting on legislation for rent controls. Today's announcement has a short-term look to it, but one that could be extended.

Landlords say they'll continue taking homes off the market, meaning rising prices for those who rely on them and creating more homelessness problems.

The big and distinctive commitment from Nicola Sturgeon is to the Scottish Child Payment, rising to £25 per week, from £10 less than a year ago, and extending its reach from pre-school up to 16.

It's seen as a powerful weapon against child poverty. But with a £1.7bn hole burned in this year's Holyrood budget by the inflating price of pay and government procurement, it means an ever tighter constraint on other public services.

Analysis

Connor Gillies

Consumer Affairs Correspondent

This is a big win for hundreds of thousands of tenants today. Many people have been enduring skyrocketing rents at a time when they are being crippled by record household energy and food bills.

I met 26 year old Matthew who moved to Glasgow from Leeds a year ago. He told me this afternoon he has already had to move flats after his landlord decided to hike his monthly payments by £240.

He described being uprooted from a community he was beginning to settle in to. The reality for many tenants.

bbc

26 year old Matthew has already had to move flats due to a rent hike

Landlords are furious at this announcement. They complain they are always seen as the ‘baddies’ and a small, greedy minority give the majority a bad name.

But, they argue, they too are facing unprecedented costs and this freeze on how much they can charge will force many to leave the sector altogether.

If that materialises, it could spell trouble as it would reduce overall availability in the market and may push rent prices up further.

Labour 'setting the agenda' on cost crisis action, says Sarwar

Anas Sarwar says there is more the Scottish government could do to help with the cost of living crisis.

He points to Scottish Labour’s plans to:

• Halve rail fares
• Cap the cost of bus journeys
• Introduce an online fuel price tracker

Mr Sarwar maintains the first minister increased rail fares earlier this year, and is now imposing a freeze on those higher fares.

He says the Scottish government could also introduce emergency reforms to debt legislation, increase funding for money advice services and cancel school meal debt.

As well as topping up the welfare fund, offering a water charge rebate and increasing the business hardship fund, these would form the basis of "an emergency cost of living act" to "change lives for the better", he adds.

For almost a year, Labour have been demanding action on the crisis and "setting the agenda from opposition", Mr Sarwar says. "Imagine what we could do in government,” he adds.

Scottish Labour leader welcomes 'change of heart' over rent freezes

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar says the cost of living crisis is a “national emergency on the scale of the pandemic".

He says it was “shameful”, “immoral" and "inhumane” that on the day the price cap increase was announced, with average bills were expected to rise to over £3,500, not a single Tory minister was available to reassure the public.

Mr Sarwar calls on the UK government to cancel the expected price increase, impose a cap on energy prices for business, and introduce an enhanced windfall tax on "energy companies making record profits".

These measures will bring down bills and reduce inflation, he says.

The Scottish Labour leader maintains the Scottish government has been "absent" at times in the crisis and "acted like commentators rather than recognising the powers and responsibilities they have".

He points out that around a third of its income comes from taxes raised in Scotland, and welcomes the "change of heart" from the SNP and Greens over rent freezes.

"I am glad a month of campaigning has paid off," he adds.

Ross criticises 'unwanted' indyref2 bill

Douglas Ross criticises the Scottish government for introducing another "unwanted" indyref2 bill.

The Scottish Conservative leader says: "That is unacceptable at the same time as people are struggling.

"This SNP government is prioritising their planning for a vote on separation, which they know will divide Scotland at exactly the point we should be coming together and uniting."

He says his party's priorities are the right ones for a national emergency and he concludes the programme for government does not meet Scotland's needs.

Mr Ross also criticises John Swinney, the deputy first minister who is also the interim finance secretary, for "squirrelling away" £20m for indyref2.

Programme 'falls woefully short' says Ross

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says this programme for government "falls woefully short of rising to the big challenges we all face here in Scotland, across the UK and around the world".

Mr Ross also congratulates the new prime minister, Liz Truss, and says that sadly it is the same first minister repeating her mantra of seeking grievance with the Westminster government.

He calls on both governments to tackle the crisis by working together.

Mr Ross says he has discussed this with the new prime minister and he says there are plans ready to be rolled out, but the SNP are not holding up their end of the deal.

What bills are proposed for the next year?

The Scottish government intends to introduce a further 18 bills over the course of the parliamentary year.

• Annual Budget (No.2) - provides parliamentary approval for the Scottish government's spending plans
• Bankruptcy and Diligence Bill - to introduce improvements to insolvency and debt recovery processes.
• Charities Regulation Bill will seek to update and strengthen the legal framework governing the work of charities.
• Children's Care and Justice - to improve experiences for children in Scotland who interact with the children's hearing and criminal justice systems, as well as care settings.
• Circular Economy - to increase reuse and recycling rates • Public Health (Restriction of Promotions) - will include provisions for restricting food and drink promotions to protect public health
• Criminal Justice Reform - will abolish the not proven verdict in criminal trials in Scotland. It will also include a range of measures including protecting the anonymity of complainers of sexual crimes under Scots law.
• Education Reform - the establishment of a new public body responsible for qualifications in Scotland and the creation of an independent education inspectorate.
• Housing - A bill to protect tenants by freezing rents and imposing a moratorium on evictions until at least 31 March 2023.
• A second Housing bill to deliver a "New Deal for Tenants"
• Independence Referendum Bill- If the UK Supreme Court determines that a referendum is within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament, the bill will provide for a referendum to be held on Scottish independence.
• Legal Services Regulation Reform Bill to improve the accountability and transparency of the legal complaints system.
• Local Visitor Levy - to give local authorities a discretionary power to apply a levy on overnight visitor stays
• Patient Safety Commissioner - to establish a champion to be the voice of the patient within healthcare
• Police Complaints and Misconduct Handling Bill will seek to improve the way complaints about the police are managed and investigated.
• Public Health (Restriction of Promotions) - provisions for restricting food and drink promotions to protect public health.
• Scottish Aggregates Levy - a devolved tax on the commercial exploitation of aggregates in Scotland
• Trusts and Succession - reform of the laws on trusts
• Wildlife Management (Grouse) - to introduce licensing for grouse moor management

At-a-glance: The programme for government

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been setting out her plans for the year to come, with a focus on the cost of living crisis.

She told MSPs it was "humanitarian emergency" that was pushing millions into poverty and threatening the viability of businesses.

Ms Sturgeon called on the UK government to take action to freeze energy prices and support for those already struggling to pay bills.

She said she could not do everything that, in more normal times, she would want to do because of a lack of money but she wanted to provide an emergency safety net for those struggling to pay bills.

Measures include:

• A moratorium on evictions from rented accommodation - private and social - to give people security of having a roof over their head this winter
• A rent freeze - for both social and private tenants - in place until the end of March next year
• Rail fares on ScotRail - which was brought into public ownership earlier this year - will be frozen until at least March 2023.
• An increase in the Scottish Child Payment from £20 a week to £25
• Free school meals to be extended to include pupils in primary 6 and 7

The Programme for Government also includes:

JUSTICE - The Not Proven verdict will be abolished as part of a Criminal Justice Bill. The bill will also give statutory protection of the anonymity of complainers in sexual offence cases.

A Children's Care and Justice Bill will finally end the practice of placing children under 18 in young offenders' institutions.

EDUCATION - An Education Reform Bill will establish an independent education inspectorate and a new public body responsible for qualifications.

HEALTH

• Plans have already been announced for waits of more than 18 months for outpatients to be eliminated in most specialties by the end of this year, and for inpatients by September next year. The aim is then to end waits of more than one year.
• A Patient Safety Commissioner will be established to help improve safety and amplify the voice of patients.
• The long-awaited National Care Service will be created in law this year.
• A Women's Health Champion will be appointed.

TOURISM - A Local Visitor Levy Bill will be created to give local authorities a discretionary power to apply a levy on overnight visitor stays.

ABORTION BUFFER ZONES - The Scottish government will support Green MSP Gillian Mackay with her proposed Member's Bill to protect safe access for women to healthcare facilities that provide abortion services.

INDEPENDENCE - If the Supreme Court rules that a vote is within the competence of the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish government will legislate for a referendum on 19 October 2023.

Cost of living crisis highlights 'pressing need for independence' - FM

Concluding her initial remarks on the programme for government, Nicola Sturgeon says that "last, but by no means least", is provision for a Scottish Independence Referendum Bill.

The first minister confirms that if the Supreme Court - starting on 11 October - rules that a consultative vote is within the competence of the Scottish Parliament, legislation will be brought forward so indyref2 can take place on 19 October next year.

The current cost of living crisis highlights "the pressing need for independence", she says.

It is much worse in the UK, the FM maintains, "because of a Brexit that Scotland voted against but was powerless to stop".

While the response of the UK government has been "woefully inadequate", she says, the Scottish parliament "stands ready, willing and eager to act".

Independence would give Scotland "the levers we desperately need to respond to a crisis like this" and the "wherewithal to build a better, wealthier, fairer future", she adds.

Promising to "do everything possible to support people and businesses through the difficult months ahead", the government will "continue to lay the foundations for a more equal and more sustainable country", she concludes.

Energy bills to be cut using government loans

Getty Images

Meanwhile, soaring household energy bills are expected to be cut by energy companies using UK government-backed loans.

It is thought energy bills could be frozen at their current level for roughly 18 months under the plans.

Energy firms would use the loans to subsidise customer payments, with them repaid by additions to bills over 10 to 20 years or repaid via future taxation.

Prime Minister Liz Truss has pledged to "deliver on the energy crisis" - with a price freeze widely expected.

Energy bills are rocketing and the cap on prices will go up on 1 October, pushing a typical British household's gas and electricity bill from £1,971 to £3,549.

However, the government is expected to announce on Thursday that it will step in before that rise.

It will guarantee loans to energy companies to bridge the gap between the cost of gas and electricity and the fixed price they charge customers.

• Read more here

Energy strategy and just transition plan to help reach net zero

The Local Visitor Levy Bill will give local authorities additional fiscal flexibility.

This will help councils, if they so choose, to fund activities related to tourism and related infrastructure.

Ms Sturgeon says: "We will press the UK government to speed up fundamental reform of the energy market and break the link between the cost of gas and the price of renewable and low carbon electricity."

This autumn the Scottish government will seek approval for the Fourth National Planning Framework, which will support the delivery of renewable energy projects.

There will also be an energy strategy and just transition plan to guide the path to net zero.

Solar energy will be supported, as will the development of wave and tidal technologies.

Plans for a further expansion in onshore wind capacity will also be detailed, as will a finalised Hydrogen Action Plan and Investment Proposition, backed by £100m of capital funding.

Two greenports will be established and a Circular Economy Bill will be introduced.

A Wildlife Management Bill for Grouse to reduce the negative impact of some grouse moor practices on wildlife and the environment will also be introduced.

Six new hubs for tech companies to be established

Returning to business and the state of the economy, Ms Sturgeon says the government will continue to:

• support low business rates and the "most generous small business rates relief scheme in the UK".
• press the UK government for an energy price freeze and a reduction of VAT on energy bills
• implement the national strategy for economic transformation, with "a laser focus on entrepreneurship, productivity and skills"
• fund the Scottish National Investment Bank to deliver its key missions

The government will support further improvements to broadband infrastructure and establish a national network of six new hubs for tech companies, the first minister says.

She adds that Scottish goods exports, excluding oil and gas, grew by more than 5% in the two years to the end of March, compared with a fall elsewhere in the UK.

"Scotland’s position as the most successful location in the UK, outside of London, for inward investment projects has also been strengthened," the FM says.

What is the 'not proven' verdict?

What is 'not proven'? Scotland, unlike most of the world's legal systems, has three possible verdicts in criminal cases - guilty, not guilty and not proven. The legal implications of a not proven verdict are exactly the same as a not guilty verdict - the accused is acquitted and is innocent in the eyes of the law.

Why is it used? Not proven is seen by some as offering additional protection to the accused, ensuring they will not be convicted if the jury has any doubts. But critics argue that it is confusing for juries and the public, can stigmatise an accused person by appearing not to clear them and fails to provide closure for victims.

What is its history? In 2017, Prof James Chalmers and Prof Fiona Leverick published a blog looking at its history. They said there was a common misconception that the not guilty verdict was a later addition to the proven and not proven outcomes. And they concluded not only is the verdict of "not proven" not Scots law's original verdict of acquittal but today's "not proven" is used for a very different purpose from that for which it was introduced.

'Not proven' verdict to be abolished

The first minister says a Criminal Justice Bill will, among other measures, provide for the abolition of the Not Proven verdict.

If approved by the Scottish Parliament, this will be "a change of truly historic significance in Scotland, and one firmly intended to improve access to justice for victims of crime", Ms Sturgeon says.

The bill will also deliver statutory protection of the anonymity of complainers in sexual offence cases, she says.

The government will also consult on specific draft laws to effect the recommendations in Helena Kennedy’s report on tackling misogynistic behaviours.

Other bills to be introduced later in the parliament include:

• A Police Complaints and Misconduct Handling Bill to improve the way in which complaints about the police are managed and investigated
• A Legal Services Regulation Reform Bill to improve the accountability and transparency of the legal complaints system
• A Charities Regulation Bill to strengthen the legal framework governing the work of charities

Further health measures announced

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A new Public Health Bill to restrict promotions of less healthy food and drink, and consult on proposals to restrict alcohol promotions, will be introduced.

A Women’s Health Champion will be appointed.

The government will work with Gillian Mackay, and MSPs across the chamber to safeguard the access of women to abortion services without harassment or intimidation.

New patient safety commissioner to be created

Ms Sturgeon says her government will also introduce legislation for a Patient Safety Commissioner to help improve safety and amplify the voice of patients.

A new mental health and wellbeing strategy, and a refreshed suicide prevention strategy will be published.

The year ahead will also see the creation in law of the National Care Service.

The government will also focus on reducing drug deaths, with a total investment of £250m by the end of this parliament.