I jointly agreed with the Finance and Public Administration Committee that the 2023-24 Scottish Budget will be published on 15 December 2022. The draft Budget (Scotland) Bill 2023-24 will be introduced in the Scottish Parliament within 7 days of that date.

In the first year of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults, 2021 to 2022, we funded 64 projects supporting adults living in Dundee.

These were:

The Scottish Government unequivocally condemns any form of hatred or prejudice, and is clear that people of all faiths and none must be supported to follow their way of life, without fear or discrimination.

I established the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group to provide collective cross-sectoral strategic leadership in the development of a new strategy, which will set out our priorities for tackling hatred and prejudice in Scotland. Importantly, it will be informed by communities with lived experience of hate crime, including religiously motivated hate crime. We are aware of the harmful impact online hatred can have on individuals and communities and this will be considered as the strategy is developed.

Furthermore, we are committed to tackling prejudice and building resilient communities within which divisive messages will not resonate, including continuing to support the important interfaith engagement work that takes place across Scotland.

As co-chair of Under2 Coalition European region, I attended the Under2 General Assembly in New York where it was announced that Scotland will continue its role as co-chair for a second term.

The General Assembly took place alongside New York Climate Week, which offered an important opportunity to meet with many counterparts, including fellow Under2 members, UN representatives including Catherine McKenna, Chair, UN High-Level Expert Group on the Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities, and other climate leaders.

I also hosted an investment event promoting a number of Scottish green tech companies and met with Damilola Ogunbiyi – CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, confirming Scotland’s commitment to the 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact (CFE).

Renewable energy, Hydrogen development, Just Transition, Financing and Climate Justice were common themes in New York. I also took part in a Loss and Damage panel and used the opportunity to promote the conference Scotland is hosting on loss and damage next month (11-12 October).

This is a question for the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland. She advises me that transfers of interest relating to properties over 1000 hectares were counted where:

• at least one applicant in the application for registration was designated as acting in the capacity of trustee
• the transfer of interest is not classified as a full market sale according to the Registers of Scotland property market report methodology

This is a question for the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland. She advises me that transfers of interest relating to properties over 2000 hectares were counted where:

• at least one applicant in the application for registration was designated as acting in the capacity of trustee
• the transfer of interest is not classified as a full market sale according to the Registers of Scotland property market report methodology

The national framework for the Supply of Electricity wholesale volumes are bought up to 2½ years in advance in tranches, following a proven ‘hedging’ purchasing strategy overseen by a cross-sectoral Risk Management Committee. The Committee comprises senior managers representing procurement, finance and energy management interests.

Whilst energy prices have risen to unprecedented levels because of global influences, the Scottish Government purchasing strategy has mitigated some of the increases for customers on the framework. However, given the substantially increased risk that this market volatility has brought, the Risk Management Committee has temporarily suspended the on-boarding of all new customers with immediate effect in order protect the risk strategy and the organisations currently using the framework. Organisations that are currently customers (including some third sector bodies) will remain on the framework.

The Risk Management Committee will keep that decision under regular review and when market conditions and risk profile allow, will permit new customers to join.

This is a question for the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland. She advises me that transfers of interest relating to properties over 3000 hectares are counted where:

• at least one applicant in the application for registration was designated as acting in the capacity of trustee
• the transfer of interest is not classified as a full market sale according to the Registers of Scotland property market report methodology.

People in Scotland over State Pension age, who do not already have an award of Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance or Adult Disability Payment, can apply for Attendance Allowance.

Attendance Allowance is awarded to help with extra costs if a person has any disability severe enough that they need someone to help care for or supervise them. Attendance Allowance is currently delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions, on the Scottish Government’s behalf, through an agency agreement.

Pension Age Disability Payment will be the Scottish replacement for Attendance Allowance. Further information on Pension Age Disability Payment delivery will be provided in due course.

The Scottish Government have provided funding to the Scottish Flood Forum since 2009 to work with communities to build resilience and to support those affected by flooding.

The Scottish Government also currently funds Adaptation Scotland Programme, a place-based, capacity building programme which provides advice and support to public sector organisations, businesses and communities to adapt to the impact of climate change, assess risks and ensure they are prepared for extreme weather such as storminess and flooding. Adaptation Scotland’s Adaptation Capability Framework is used across the public sector to assist organisations in assessing and developing their adaptation capacity.

In recognition of the importance of reducing flood risk the Scottish Government has provided, since 2008, a total of £42 million a year through the General Capital Grant to local authorities to allow them to invest in flood protection measures. In addition the 2020 Programme for Government committed an additional £150 million over the course of this Parliament for flood risk management actions.

The Scottish Government works closely with Scotland’s network of 12 Local Resilience Partnerships (LRPs) - which bring together emergency services, local authorities, health boards, power companies and other relevant partners - to prepare for and respond should severe weather impact or flooding occur.