In a statement to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, First Minister Humza Yousaf will outline how his government will make key anti-poverty and pro-growth investments to help deliver three national missions – equality, opportunity and community – that collectively will help build a better, greener and more prosperous Scotland.

The 2023-24 Programme for Government will detail how the Scottish Government will build upon key partnerships – including the Verity House agreement with local authorities and the New Deal for Business – to deliver a wellbeing economy that boosts economic growth to provide high-quality public services, and has well-paid and fair jobs at its heart.

Speaking ahead of delivering his first Programme for Government, First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “It is the honour of my life to serve Scotland as First Minister. I am determined to make Scotland a country where people, communities and businesses can reach their full potential, creating a better future for everyone.

“This is my first Programme for Government, and in the days ahead I will outline the ambitious plans my government has for the people of Scotland – plans which are focused on reducing poverty, delivering growth, helping to tackle climate change and providing high quality public services.

“These are the areas that matter most to people, communities and businesses across the country. We are in a cost of living crisis that is impacting the most vulnerable in our society the most - communities which have been suffering at the hands of UK Government cuts for too long.

“The government I lead will continue to focus on protecting our public services and improving the support we provide to help build a stronger economy and a fairer society. That ambition is the only way we can deliver real, positive change for people right across the country.”

The announcement comes after housing minister Paul McLennan MSP joined a group of SFHA members for a roundtable discussion on key policy areas for the social housing sector.

In her opening remarks, SFHA chief executive Sally Thomas, who chaired last week’s session, spoke of the importance of delivering affordable homes, tackling poverty and inequality, and progressing towards net zero.

Hosted by West Granton Housing Co-operative, the meeting saw members of all sizes, from across the country, put their views across on the difficulties of building new homes in such a challenging financial environment, the need for certainty on regulation and the operating environment and the desire of housing associations to keep tackling poverty and supporting tenants.

The First Minister added: “The challenges we face – including the cost of living crisis, the impacts of the UK Government’s hard Brexit, and pandemic recovery – are significant, but we have strong foundations that we can build upon, to grasp opportunities and deliver real change.

“During these challenging times, the people of Scotland need a government that is on their side. In the coming days we will outline our measures to support businesses and communities to unleash potential and promote entrepreneurship - helping provide well-paid jobs right across Scotland, and boosting national and local economies.

“Our focus on boosting economic growth will enable us to invest more in anti-poverty measures and support our vital public services, protecting the most vulnerable in society and raising the standard of living for everyone.”