5 things you need to know from Nicola Sturgeon's Programme for Government statement
dailyrecord.co.ukNicola 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 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."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.
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