SCOTLAND’S First Minister is due to unveil a rent freeze for tenants as part of the Programme for Government on Tuesday, reports say.
Nicola Sturgeon will make a statement to Holyrood this afternoon outlining her plans for this parliamentary term following the summer recess.
It comes amid the worsening cost-of-living crisis, which has seen inflation skyrocket and bills increase massively.
The Daily Record reports that the freeze – something previously resisted by SNP and Green ministers – will be set out in Holyrood after 2pm. One source said that if landlords meet the cost of the freeze, the policy won’t cost the Government anything.
The move follows campaigning from Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba, who has long called for a freeze to protect tenants from rising rental costs.
She argued that tenants have been left “at the mercy of landlords, who will be free to hike up rents” as people across Scotland face higher prices for utilities, goods and services across the board.
The MSP for the North East Scotland region welcomed the reports.
"We have the most right-wing Tory government at Westminster since the Thatcher years, with the new Prime Minister Liz Truss openly stating that she supports 'Thatcherite' 1980s style tax cuts for the wealthiest,” Villalba said.
"Against this backdrop, it's welcome that the First Minister appears to be planning to introduce a rent freeze.”
However, she criticised the Scottish Government for failing to back the rent freeze proposals earlier in the year – arguing that backing it sooner would have provided vulnerable Scots with “relief” from skyrocketing costs.
Ahead of Tuesday's Programme for Government, it was also confirmed that approximately 400,000 children will be eligible for an anti-poverty benefit increase from November.
The Scottish Child Payment is set to be increased to £25 per eligible child per week from November 14. The benefit will now also be open to all eligible under-16s.
The current payments of £20 a week help an estimated 104,000 youngsters under the age of six.
But the First Minister also renewed calls on the UK Government to take urgent action on the cost of living as most of the key policy levers and resources to address the crisis lie with Westminster.
Sturgeon said: “Through this year’s Programme for Government we will take every action, within the financial means and legislative powers at our disposal, to help people through this humanitarian crisis that will cost lives.
“The most significant powers to tackle this crisis rest squarely with the UK Government and their inaction has compounded the difficulties everyone is facing.
“In the absence of a plan from the incoming prime minister we have set a clear set of actions which the UK Government could take now, and should have taken already, to begin to address the crisis.
“These include an immediate cancellation of the October price cap and an uprating of benefits.
“The last few months have made it abundantly clear Scotland cannot rely on the UK Government to support people in Scotland through this crisis. It is vital they have a choice over their future.
“Make no mistake, we will continue to act where others have not to help people and businesses – and the UK Government needs to follow our example.”
