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.

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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.”

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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.

More to follow