The break-up of Scotland's largest social landlord into local housing organisations will begin within months. Around 10 so-called "second stage transfers" (SSTs) are to be approved by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA), four years after it was set up.

The break-up of Scotland's largest social landlord into local housing organisations will begin within months.

Around 10 so-called "second stage transfers" (SSTs) are to be approved by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA), four years after it was set up.

Nicola Sturgeon, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, announced the move during a debate on a report which criticised the way GHA operates.

Ms Sturgeon accused the previous Labour-led administration of "botching" the transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock to GHA in 2003. "I want to see transfers taking place and I hope it will be approaching double figures," Ms Sturgeon said.

"It will be less than promised by the previous administration, but that is because of the failures of the previous administration. The good news for Glasgow is that this government does intend to make progress."

Nearly half of Glasgow's 63 local housing organisations (LHOs) have submitted business cases in support of their SST request, but none has taken place amid con- cerns that GHA lacks the funds to push them through.

Ms Sturgeon warned the GHA that it must do more to give greater power to tenants, with or without SSTs.

"This government will continue to support transfers where they can sensibly be achieved and I hope that as soon as practicably possible we can see the first transfers taking place," Ms Sturgeon told MSPs.

"But if the large number of small-scale transfers that were promised at the time of (the original) transfer are not feasible in the near future, I will not accept that as an excuse for retaining an over-centralised management.

"GHA needs in the meantime to find other ways of creating the kind of genuine local control and empowerment that tenants want."

Johann Lamont, Labour's shadow minister for communities and a former housing minister, rejected suggestions that there was a "financial black hole" at the heart of the GHA when it was set up.

Patrick Harvie, the Green MSP for Glasgow, said: "What's important now is that the bids which are on the table for second stage transfer, all of which are seen as fundable and affordable, are allowed to progress to ballot.

"The GHA must not be allowed to block these."