Nicola Sturgeon is to set out the Scottish Government’s plans for the next session of parliament today.

The First Minister will reveal the programme for government today when MSPs return to Holyrood after the summer recess.

The programme will include some policies agreed with the Scottish Greens after the SNP and Greens agreed to join forces in Government.

It is also expected that she will state again the intention to hold a second independence referendum once the covid pandemic is over.

Yesterday it was confirmed that Sturgeon will appoint the Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater as ministers.

Glasgow MSP, Harvie, becomes Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, working with the Housing Secretary and Net Zero Secretary.

While Slater is to be Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, working with the Finance and Economy Secretary and Net Zero Secretary.

The SNP said the new term of parliament is an opportunity to build a “fairer, greener and independent Scotland”.

While opposition MSPs have said the government must deal with the climate emergency not pushing for another referendum.

SNP MSP Neil Gray said: “The new parliamentary session may be in its infancy but our return from summer recess presents an opportunity to build a fairer, greener and independent Scotland.

“Already the SNP has set out to collaborate across the Holyrood chamber by signing an historic agreement with the Scottish Greens. In that same spirit, and while there will continue to be deeply-held differences on some issues, all parties in parliament should look to find consensus for the common good as we seek to build recovery in Scotland.

“Our Scottish Parliament was built on the founding principles of working together and collaborating and we should all come together for the future of Scotland.

“As we recover from the pandemic we can focus on creating good, green jobs to support our just transition. We can build a social security system that is built for the people of Scotland, not against them. And we can give the people of Scotland a choice over their future in an independence referendum.”

Meanwhile, Alex Cole-Hamilton, the new Liberal Democrat leader said: “Scotland desperately needs new hope but with the Greens now signed up to support the SNP at every turn, Scotland is now stuck with the status quo.

“We need to fight the climate emergency with ferocity but without the baggage of nationalism. The planet doesn’t have time for the new nationalist coalition to drag us back to the all-consuming divisive constitutional arguments of the past.”