Summary

  • First Minister Humza Yousaf has announced his programme for government in Scotland

  • Childcare is at the centre of his government's agenda for the coming year, he says

  • There are 14 bills in this year’s plans - though three were introduced by Nicola Sturgeon a year ago

  • Yousaf confirms a consultation will take place on an outright ban of single-use vapes

  • The Tories say the government has an "obsession with independence" while Labour claim the government has lost its with with NHS and cost of living

  • A key promise to increase social care wages is seven months away - and a year since Yousaf first made the promise

  1. Yousaf pledges £750m for affordable homes in Scotlandpublished at 14:39 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Turning to housing issues, Yousaf sets out a £750m fund to support the government in meeting its target of securing 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.

    He tells Holyrood 10% of these new affordable homes will be located in rural and island communities.

    Yousaf also says he wants to enable councils to apply premium on council tax rates for second homes.

    "We will introduce a cladding remediation bill," Yousaf adds as he says he wants to introduce a levy in Scotland similar to the one in England.

  2. Government to provide free school meals for P6 and P7 - Yousafpublished at 14:38 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Yousaf calls on the UK government to use its reserved powers to establish an essentials guarantee that universal credit payment is always enough for food, transport and energy.

    He says his government will continue to reduce some of the costs that affects households right across country.

    Yousaf turns to free school meals and says his government will roll out free school meals for P6 and P7.

  3. Government will invest 'over £400m' in child payment schemepublished at 14:35 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Yousaf's first announcement is that by February, the Scottish government will look to remove income thresholds for the Best Start Foods programme.

    This will help an estimated 20,000 mothers and children who he says will benefit from support for healthy food.

    The first minister says the government will invest more than £400m in the Scottish Child payment scheme.

  4. FM calls for Scotland to make its own decisionspublished at 14:33 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Humza Yousaf says Scotland had no control of the "disastrous mini-budget, or Brexit, or over a decade of austerity".

    The first minister tells the chamber that Scotland still has to deal with the devastating impact of these actions.

    He says decisions about Scotland should not be made by Westminster but by the people of Scotland.

  5. Those who earn the most should pay the most - Yousafpublished at 14:31 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Yousaf says his government will be "unapologetic in taking action" against climate change and his programme is an "opportunity to be about the driving mission of this government".

    "We will maximise every single lever to tackle the scourge of poverty," he says.

    "I will never shy away from the belief those who earn the most should pay the most. They also need to support economic growth to tackle poverty and improve our public services."

    But Yousaf claims the Scottish government is "operating with one hand behind its back" as he cites the impacts of Brexit and Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-budget last year.

    "We have spent more than £700m in countering Westminster welfare cuts alone," he adds.

  6. Yousaf's first programme for government gets under waypublished at 14:24 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    First Minister Humza Yousaf gets up to deliver his first programme for government.

    Yousaf begins by talking about his grandparents and says his grandfather became a successful small business owner.

    He says his grandfather could not have been a success without the help of society and the state.

    "Economic growth goes hand in hand with tackling poverty as it did for my grandfather all those years ago," he says.

    He says the programme for government is unashamedly anti-poverty and pro-growth and will focus on supporting women who are disproportionately affected by the pressures of modern life including expanding childcare.

  7. Watch the first minister's statement livepublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    A reminder that you can watch the first minister's statement as Humza Yousaf lays out his plans for the Scottish government for the coming year.

    Just click Play at the top of this page.

  8. RAAC survey work under way across Scotland - ministerpublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Labour MSP Martin Whitfield asks how many public buildings are currently at risk due to the exposure of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

    Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville says survey work is under way across the country.

    She says 37 schools have been found to have RAAC

    The minister says she appreciates that public concern means they need to be as open as possible, it is for councils to publish information about the schools.

  9. Thousands of short-term let applications receivedpublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Before we hear from the first minister, we are getting some topical questions from MSPs.

    Conservative's Murdo Fraser asks about the number of short-term let applications - it follows a government push for all such accommodation to have a licence and those who fail to apply can be fined up to £2,500.

    The deadline has already been pushed back by six months to 1 October, but some in the sector have asked for more time.

    In response, the Minister for Housing Paul McLennan says as of 31 August, 6,323 applications have been received with over half being issued with a license.

    None have been refused, he adds.

  10. Analysis

    Now we get to find out what Yousaf is forpublished at 14:09 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Philip Sim
    BBC Scotland political correspondent

    Humza Yousaf spent his first few months as first minister effectively clearing the decks.

    Despite running as the "continuity candidate" to Nicola Sturgeon, Yousaf started out by shredding much of his predecessor's policy platform.

    He sought to reset relations with business and local government. The National Care Service and the Deposit Return Scheme were kicked into the long grass. And Highly Protected Marine Areas and a ban on alcohol advertising were binned.

    Now, we get to find out what Yousaf is for - what it is that he wants his government to actually achieve.

    We have had hints from his leadership campaign, which had a heavy focus on social justice issues, and his initial statements which promised "a fresh start" for the government.

    But today we will see in black and white the legislation he wants to pass and the reforms he wants to deliver - and thus the debates that will shape the remaining three years of the Holyrood term.

  11. Topical questions on short-term let licenses and RAACpublished at 14:05 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Not long to go now before Humza Yousaf begins outlining his plans for the coming year.

    Before we get to the programme for government, we have a couple of topical questions.

    The first is on short-term let licenses.

    The second question asks how many public buildings are currently at risk due to the exposure of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

    You can watch both here with us, just click on the play icon at the top of the page.

  12. Who is Scotland's first minister Humza Yousaf?published at 13:58 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Humza Yousaf with his wife Nadia El-Nakla, daughter Amal, and step-daughter MayaImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Humza Yousaf with his wife Nadia El-Nakla, daughter Amal, and step-daughter Maya

    Humza Yousaf was elected to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and Scotland's next first minister.

    He was widely seen as being the preferred candidate of the SNP establishment - including Sturgeon herself.

    Yousaf was seen as the continuity candidate.

    The former health secretary was endorsed by far more MSPs and MPs than his two rivals, with John Swinney predicting that Yousaf would "complete our journey to independence".

    He was undoubtedly the most experienced of the three leadership contenders, having served in government since 2012 in roles including justice secretary and transport minister.

    His supporters said he was a polished communicator who was best placed to unite the party and maintain the power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens after what had been a deeply fractious leadership contest.

    Read more here.

  13. Analysis

    'Humza Yousaf is at risk of having too many priorities'published at 13:54 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Douglas Fraser
    Scotland business & economy editor

    Humza Yousaf is at risk of having too many priorities, but he wants to be clear that the economy is among them, sometimes badging it as "opportunity".

    The first minister wants to emphasise that he is pro-growth, just as Anas Sarwar and Douglas Ross did in speeches about the economy last week.

    For the SNP leader, this is recognition of the need for rising tax revenue to pay for his other priorities, and also to answer critics within his party who backed Kate Forbes for the leadership.

    His language now is in contrast with his leadership campaign, where talk of the economy was focussed on wellbeing, and tax talk was about redistribution.

    The letter he sent to the prime minister yesterday, seeking the flexibility to boost growth through corporation tax cuts for new and growing sectors of strategic significance, sent several signals; a willingness to work with the UK government, seeking additional devolved powers by persuasion rather than pressure, wanting to use tax cuts as an incentive for growth, and if the request is refused, putting Conservatives in the awkward position of standing in the way of both growth and lower taxes.

  14. Which schools in Scotland have RAAC and why haven't they closed?published at 13:51 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Part of Parks Primary in Leicester has been taped off after the "Aero-like concrete" was foundImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Part of Parks Primary in Leicester has been taped off after the "Aero-like concrete" was found

    So before we get to the all important programme for government, there will be a topical question on dangerous concrete.

    Questions have been raised about the safety of some school buildings in Scotland after it emerged that 35 have been found to contain the potentially dangerous concrete.

    In England, more than 100 schools were told to shut buildings with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) days before the start of term.

    It led to a scramble to find alternative temporary classrooms, with some schools reintroducing online learning, amid fears the concrete could collapse.

    In Scotland, some school buildings containing the material are also closed but others remain open and are checked regularly.

    First Minister Humza Yousaf has insisted appropriate safety measures are in place in Scottish schools and there is no immediate risk to pupils or staff.

    Read more here.

  15. Analysis

    A ban on single-use vapes expectedpublished at 13:46 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Glenn Campbell
    BBC Scotland Political Editor

    Doctors have raised concerns over the impact of vaping on young lungsImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Doctors have raised concerns over the impact of vaping on young lungs

    A ban on single use vapes is expected to be proposed by First Minister Humza Yousaf in his programme for government statement at Holyrood this afternoon.

    He previously said a ban would be considered.

    It is now thought the Scottish government wants to go ahead, subject to a formal consultation.

    The Daily Record newspaper, which has been campaigning on the issue, has reported much the same.

    The programme for government is expected to major on anti-poverty measures like a further expansion of access to childcare and potentially improved wages for social care workers.

    There will also be an emphasis on growing the economy and tackling climate change with some expectation of changes to the rules on developing renewable energy projects to make the process simpler and faster.

  16. What are the other parties saying?published at 13:42 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    The Scottish Greens, who are in a power-sharing agreement with the SNP, said the proposals in the programme for government would focus on the climate crisis and the cost of living.

    "This will be a positive and progressive programme for action that has Green values at its heart," co-leader Lorna Slater said.

    Meghan Gallacher, deputy leader of the Scottish Tories, said: "Humza Yousaf must use his first programme for government to focus on Scotland's real priorities, rather than his nationalist obsession."

    Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie called on the first minister to put the NHS and the cost of living crisis "front and centre" of his policy proposals, claiming it was "his last chance to save the remaining shreds of his reputation".

    Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton urged the government to set up a fund to help local authorities remove potentially dangerous concrete from public buildings, rule out council tax rises and improve care for Long Covid sufferers.

  17. What can we expect from the programme for government?published at 13:36 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Children currently get 1,140 hours of free childcare from three years oldImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Children currently get 1,140 hours of free childcare from three years old

    We already know childcare will be at the centre of Humza Yousaf's government's policy agenda for the coming year.

    Ahead of today's announcement, he said improving access to childcare was a "win-win" for families and the economy.

    What else can we expect this afternoon?

    • Measures on social care pay, a ban on disposable vapes and green energy production are also reportedly under consideration
    • reports suggest the government could reveal plans for a four-day working week pilot
    • an increase in the £25 Scottish Child Payment and tax reforms

    Read more here.

  18. Charity calls for anti-poverty actionpublished at 13:20 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    The growth of food banks reflects the rise of deep povertyImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The growth of food banks reflects the rise of deep poverty

    In the next hour Humza Yousaf will set out his priorities for the year ahead.

    It's been trailed that it'll cover everything from business to childcare, as well as tackling poverty.

    Yousaf has said future Scottish government spending plans will be targeted at those most in need.

    Emma Jackson is the Scotland Director for the charity Christian's Against Poverty and she told Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland urgent action was needed:

    "Two weeks ago over 150 organisations wrote to the first minister and we set out exactly what we need to see in the programme for government.

    "We certainly heard an impassioned commitment from the first minister that he wants to be judged on delivering anti-poverty measures, lifting people out of poverty.

    "But what we need to see is the first minister make good on his word. We need action, we need to see clear targeted action that is really going to make a difference to the lives of people who are urgently needing that help."

  19. 'We need to see urgency'published at 13:20 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Child povertyImage source, Getty Images

    Targeting those most in need. That's what the first minister has promised to do to help eradicate poverty.

    But what will it look like in practise?

    Well, we should get an idea how Humza Yousaf intends to cut poverty levels in his programme for government this afternoon.

    Chris Birt, the Associate Director for Scotland for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation told Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland Programme he welcomed the focus on childcare saying it's often the first thing raised by impoverished families.

    "We need to see scale and we need to see urgency," Birt said.

    He pointed out poverty is designed by the systems we put in place and it's important the government listen to those who need help the most.

  20. Welcomepublished at 10:11 British Summer Time 5 September 2023

    Humza Yousaf will reveal the new programme for government at HolyroodImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Humza Yousaf will reveal the new programme for government at Holyrood

    Welcome to our live coverage of Humza Yousaf's programme for government.

    The first minister says childcare will be at the centre of his government's policy agenda for the coming year.

    The SNP leader will reveal his new programme for government at Holyrood from 2.20pm after today's topical questions.

    You can watch the statement and debate here with us, just click on the play icon at the top of this page.

    We'll bring you reports and analysis throughout the afternoon so stick with us.