8. My entry in the register of members’ interests shows that I was previously an owner of a privately rented property in the North Lanarkshire Council area.

To ask the Scottish Government what continued engagement it has had with the Scottish Land Commission about its proposal for compulsory sales orders since it first proposed them in August 2018. (S6O-02687)

The Scottish Government regularly engages with the Scottish Land Commission on a broad range of matters. That includes recent discussions relating to the “Rural and Islands Housing: Action Plan”, which affirms our programme for government commitment to taking forward work in 2024 to consider the justification for, and practical operation of, compulsory sales orders, particularly in the light of our commitment to reforming compulsory purchase orders.

T he Cabinet secretary will, no doubt, be aware that there was cross-party support, including from Government party back benchers, for taking forward compulsory sales orders. Can the cabinet secretary give a timeline for delivering the potential new powers so that councils have the ability to address the blight that empty homes are on rural communities?

M ark Griffin has raised an important point and is absolutely right that there is cross-party support for considering the issue. That is why we had in our programme for government this year a commitment to continuing the work on that. However, the matter of compulsory sales orders is complex. It is only right that we consider that alongside the review of compulsory purchase orders that is getting under way.

As I have said, the PFG commitment says that we will continue the work on that this year, but I will keep Parliament updated, and I am happy to keep in touch with Mark Griffin as the work develops and progresses.

Setting aside the fact that land reform is the latest subject of Labour U-turns, does the Cabinet secretary agree that the stifling of community progress by absentee landlords reveals why the relationship between communities and the land must continue to be reformed?

I agree. Kate Forbes has raised an important point. Absentee landowners, who are often really difficult to trace, represent a substantial barrier when it comes to supporting communities to thrive. From all the community ownership that we have seen, we know that community-owned assets have a real and positive impact in rural and urban communities. That is why we are committed to strengthening and encouraging community ownership, and to continuing on our journey with land reform on an on-going basis.

We have made great strides in relation to land reform since devolution, and the Government is committed to progressing more land reform legislation. We have already consulted on proposals, and have published the results of that consultation. Again, we will bring forward legislation to the Scottish Parliament.

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

That concludes portfolio questions on rural affairs, land reform and islands. There will be a short pause before we move on to the next portfolio, in order to allow front bench teams to change positions, should they so wish.