Campaigners have welcomed commitments on rent controls from the Scottish Government but warned the plans do not go far enough to address the country's housing crisis.

In his first Programme for Government since becoming First Minister, John Swinney announced amendments to the Housing Bill which would see tenants given the "protections they need".

He also stressed the need to strengthen investment in the housing market, pledging £100 million in funding to build 2,800 mid-market rent homes.

However, prior to the parliamentary statement, organisations including Living Rent warned housing minister Paul McLennan to "reaffirm his commitment" to rent controls.

READ MORE: Scotland's Housing Emergency - find all articles in the Herald's series

Now, the group has welcomed the announcement but said the amendments to the Bill must not be "watered down" as it progresses through Parliament.

While the government's Housing Bill, which is currently making its way through Holyrood, pledged long-term rent controls, campaigners feared the commitment would be rowed back on following the collapse of the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens.

Tighter regulations on rent have been strongly criticised in the past by landlord and housebuilding organisations, describing the plans as "disastrous" for the industry.

But speaking in Holyrood, Mr Swinney said: "In progressing our proposals for rent controls, we will introduce amendments at stage two of the Housing Bill to ensure tenants have the protection they need and that Scotland is able to attract more investment to supplement the investment we are making through the public finances."

Ruth Gilbert, national campaigns chair of Living Rent, said the announcement "cannot come soon enough". However, she said: "In the midst of a national housing emergency, this government must listen to tenants and the majority of Scottish voters, and ignore landlord lobbyists. They need to work quickly to introduce strong, effective rent controls that brings rents down.

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"We'll be watching closely to ensure that no properties are made exempt at stage two and ensure that the government does not water down rent controls' progressive potential."

Sally Thomas, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) said: "Whilst its welcome that the First Minister acknowledged the importance of housing, today's Programme for Government does not go far enough in tackling Scotland's deepening housing emergency."

She added that "immediate clarity" was needed on the status of rent controls for mid-market rent developments, warning the form of affordable rented housing would be "at risk" with long term regulations.

In July The Herald launched a campaign through a seven-point charter for change to help end Scotland's housing emergency including a call to change the law so thousands of Scots found to be at risk of homelessness every year get support earlier to stay in their homes.

The Charter for Change included a call for the required funds to urgently increase the building of affordable homes so people can move more rapidly out of homelessness and into settled accommodation.