Shirley-Anne Somerville

Our new agency More Homes Scotland will also bring simplicity, scale and an all-tenure approach to supporting housebuilding – enhancing delivery and maximising savings.

We are determined to help drive improvements in the private sector, including through our work with the Scottish National Investment Bank.

However, we know there is more to do – that is why we are providing record investment of up to £4.9 billion over the next four years to support delivery of around 36,000 affordable homes.

Scotland continues to lead the rest of the UK in relative housebuilding with 35 homes per 10,000 population delivered in 2024–25, the highest rate in the UK.

Working together we can end homelessness for good and therefore I urge you to take immediate action.

We are taking action to mitigate the impact of the UK Government’s Local Housing Allowance freeze and benefit cap, but it is abundantly clear that we need to have the right policies in place at the UK Government level too.

Scotland has some of the strongest homelessness rights in the world, and we will not roll these back.

The programme for government turns our election pledges into government action and will commit the SNP Government to delivering this support.

We promised at the election that we would help with the energy costs of people who need lifesaving equipment and those who are terminally-ill.

I would encourage anyone who thinks they or someone they know might be eligible to apply.

I’m pleased the payment has supported so many older people across Scotland in its first year.

It is vital that older people with care needs get the money they need to stay safe and live with dignity.

Pension age disability payment was an important milestone in the development of our social security system that treats everyone with dignity, fairness and respect.

There is a lot of misinformation about refugees in the media, and it is important to correct false narratives that suggest certain groups are treated preferentially over others.

There is a lot of misinformation about refugees in the media, and it is important to correct false narratives that suggest certain groups are treated preferentially over others.

These rights apply equally to all those who are homeless through no fault of their own.

Scotland is proud of its strong and well-established framework of rights for households experiencing homelessness.

Local authorities assess each case based on statutory duties and household need, ensuring fairness across the system.

There is a lot of misinformation about refugees in the media, and it is important to correct false narratives that suggest certain groups are treated preferentially over others.

Scotland is a welcoming nation and people seeking safety here are valued members of our communities.

The safety and wellbeing of children is our absolute priority.