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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Peter Davidson

5 things you need to know from Nicola Sturgeon's Programme for Government statement

Nicola Sturgeon has announced her government's plans for the next year at Holyrood as MSPs look to help Scots left struggling with the cost of living.

The First Minister laid out plans for new legislation on a number of areas - including increasing the Scottish Child Payment and freezing rail fares.

Speaking to MSPs at Holyrood the SNP leader said: "This Programme for Government is published in the context of the most severe cost crisis in our lifetimes. It is pushing millions into poverty, threatening the viability of businesses and will almost certainly push the UK economy into recession.

"It poses a danger, not just to livelihoods, but to lives. It is a humanitarian emergency. The Scottish Government is already committed to measures, worth almost £3 billion this year, that will help with rising costs."

Here are five things you need to know about the speech:

ScotRail fares frozen

ScotRail prices which were due to rise in January will now be frozen for two months until March next year in a bid to help people travelling around the country.

Sturgeon said: "I can announce that ScotRail fares will be frozen until at least March 2023. As well as rising energy bills, housing costs and increasing levels of debt are a concern for many.

"We do not control mortgage or general borrowing rates, but we will continue discussions to encourage banks and other financial services firms to take an approach that maximises security for homeowners and businesses."

Not Proven Guilty

Sturgeon announced the controversial Not Proven verdict will finally be scrapped after years of campaigning by victims of crime.

The Scottish legal system is different to the rest of the UK as three possible verdicts are available to jurors - guilty, not guilty and not proven. The SNP leader told MSPs her government would publish a new Criminal Justice Bill in the coming year.

The First Minister said: "If approved by 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."

Rent freeze

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced a rent freeze for tenants. It comes after a campaign by Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba for a freeze. SNP /Green Ministers refused to back the move earlier this year after it was tabled by Villalba.

However, they have now changed course, with one source saying the Greens pushed for the freeze internally. The First Minister said "emergency" legislation for tenants would be introduced to Holyrood.

Child payment

From November 14, the Scottish child payment will increase to £25 per week per child. The payment will also open on that date to applications for children up to age 16.

Two best start grants - the early learning and school age payments - will now be awarded automatically to families in receipt of the Scottish child payment without the need for a further application.

Independence referendum

Concluding her speech to the parliament the First Minister reiterated her desire to hold a second independence referendum. Her government wants to hold one on October 19 2023.

The Supreme Court will decide if the Scottish Government will have the power to hold a legal vote without the consent of the Westminster government.

Sturgeon told MSPs: "And last, but by no means least, this Programme for Government provides for a Scottish Independence Referendum Bill.

"If the outcome of the forthcoming Supreme Court referral confirms that a consultative vote is within the competence of this Parliament, I can confirm that we will legislate for a referendum on 19 October next year."

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