NICOLA Sturgeon is set to be quizzed by a group of MSPs who are Holyrood committee conveners to discuss efforts to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
In a session lasting an hour and a half, the First Minister will speak to the Conveners Group on Wednesday morning.
Questions will cover a range of topics, including the Programme for Government announced on September 6.
The First Minister last spoke to the Conveners Group in March, where she discussed the Scottish Government’s response to the war in Ukraine and Covid-19 recovery.
READ MORE: 'Thatcherism on steroids': STUC's Roz Foyer slams UK Government
Speaking ahead of the session, chairman of the Conveners Group Liam McArthur said: “This session will give conveners the opportunity to jointly question the First Minister on issues of concern and relevance to the work of Parliament’s committees.
“I would expect there to be a strong focus on some of the key themes raised in the recent Programme for Government and how these relate to the impact of the rising cost of living.”
The Programme for Government is the legislative agenda for the next year.
Ministers pledged to freeze rents in Scotland using emergency legislation, with rail fares also being frozen until next March.
On the rent freeze, Sturgeon said: “It will aim to give people security about the roof over their heads this winter, with a moratorium on evictions.
READ MORE: Cut Your Costs: Tips on how to keep warm while limiting your energy use
“The Scottish Government doesn’t have the power to stop your energy bills soaring, but we can and will take action to ensure that your rent does not rise.”
Plans were also set out to abolish the not proven verdict as well as plans to allow councils to introduce tourist taxes.
Following on from Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget, Sturgeon said the Scottish Government would be taking a “sensible approach” to tackling the cost-of-living crisis.
She described the Tories’ plans for economic growth as a “catastrophic disaster” and that following suit would be the “wrong thing to do”.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel