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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.

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships has been a policy-led event from inception. While successful delivery of the 13 world championships in August 2023 is a key focus, an overarching aim is to use the event as a catalyst for positive change and encourage more people to participate in cycling.

We are working closely with Cycling World Championships Limited and other partners to ensure that the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships supports increased cycling participation in Scotland. We have created a Policy Advisory Group, to help drive forward the wider policy ambitions of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, bringing together Cycling World Championships partners to assist with join up across policy areas, and to consider initiatives and approaches. There are six policy pillars. These are: Participation; Sport; Transport; Industry; Tourism; and Events. Getting more people on bikes is fundamental to success in all of these areas.

More specifically, through ‘Inspired By’ projects the Scottish Government aims to use the Championships as a catalyst for change and leave lasting benefits, increasing cycling participation. These projects include delivering accessible, inclusive and inspiring facilities through the £8 million Cycling Facilities Fund and engaging in every Local Authority area through the £1 million Community Cycling Fund will provide opportunities and inspiration to cycle.

The Championships is also working with Scottish Cycling and Cycling Scotland to increase cycling participation levels, develop sporting excellence through their talent and performance programmes and target a more diverse audience through programmes such as Scottish Cycling’s ‘Lets Ride, Breeze‘, aimed specifically at women and young people, and Cycling Scotland’s ‘Pedal’ events –supporting people new and returning to cycling, including families.

There are also opportunities for communities to get more directly involved with the event itself, for example through the volunteering programme. This will provide positive, high quality and meaningful volunteering opportunities. The programme is open for applications until 31 October with more details available at: Volunteer with us | 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships (cyclingworldchamps.com) .

Furthermore the promotional strategy for the championships is to appeal to a broad and diverse audience, not just those that are existing fans of cycling or cyclists. Diverse imagery will be used, and not just in a sporting context, to promote a variety of different uses of the bike and reinforce the message that cycling is for all.

The Scottish Government will continue to engage with stakeholders to amplify and accelerate opportunities linked to the Championships, including with a view to increasing participation in cycling.

In August 2023 Scotland will host the first ever Cycling World Championships, which is predicted to welcome 2,600 elite cyclists, including para-athletes, from 120 countries, and up to 1 million spectators. The Scottish Government aims to spread the benefits from major events across Scotland. The Championships will take place across a number of locations in Scotland. The road races will pass through many communities, bringing opportunities to experience the excitement of the Championships to a wide audience in Scotland.

We are working closely with Cycling World Championships Limited and other partners to ensure communities across Scotland benefit from the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

A key aspect of delivering local community benefits is the ‘Inspired By’ projects, where the aim is to use the Championships as a catalyst for change and leave lasting benefits. The most notable ‘Inspired By’ project to date is the £8m Cycling Facilities Fund, which aims to provide accessible, inclusive and inspiring facilities and so increase participation in cycling, which can have physical health, metal health and environmental benefits. sportscotland has made 23 awards already across Scotland, with further awards to follow.

Another Inspired By project is the Community Cycling Fund which was announced on 19 May 2022, providing at least £1 million of support. The Fund is a joint initiative between the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, EventScotland and sportscotland. The fund has been developed with the aim of creating a national celebration of cycling across all of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas in the build up to the Championships, and to create lasting benefit post-event.

There are also opportunities for communities to get more directly involved with the event itself, for example through the volunteering programme. This will provide positive, high quality and meaningful volunteering opportunities. The aim is that the programme will engage new audiences into the joy of volunteering, be accessible and inclusive and increase community engagement with the championships. The programme is open for applications until 31 October with more details available at: Volunteer with us | 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships (cyclingworldchamps.com).

The Scottish Government will continue to engage with stakeholders to amplify and accelerate activity linked to the Championships, including with a view to delivering further community benefits.

NatureScot, as custodians of the castle are in the process of negotiating a private sale and the castle estate is under offer. Private sale comes on the back of previous attempts to secure a sustainable future via other routes, including Community Asset Transfer under the provisions of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. NatureScot are actively engaged with the Isle of Rum Community Trust (IRCT), as part of sale process.