Rhoda Grant
Scottish Labour
MSP for Highlands and Islands (Region) 2007 - present day
Former MSP for Highlands and Islands (Region) 1999 - 2003
About Rhoda Grant
Contact details
Contact online
Email: [email protected]
Website: rhodagrant.org.uk
X (previously known as Twitter): @rhodagrant
Facebook: Rhoda's facebook
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5766
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at local office
3 Gordon Terrace
Inverness
IV2 3HD
Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.
Committees
Rhoda is a member of 2 committees
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
Rhoda is a member of 15 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Crofting
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Food
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Funerals and Bereavement
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Gaelic
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Human Trafficking
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Islands
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Men's Violence Against Women and Children
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Poverty
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scotch Whisky
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Social Enterprise
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Taiwan
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Tibet
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Rhoda does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Rhoda has 3 party roles
Party Spokesperson on Islands
Scottish Labour
Party Spokesperson on Land Reform
Scottish Labour
Party Spokesperson on Rural Affairs
Scottish Labour
Previous roles
Rhoda has had 59 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
22 September 2021 - 25 April 2023
Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Substitute Member
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Land Reform
Scottish Labour
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Islands
Scottish Labour
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Chief Whip
Scottish Labour
19 January 2023 - 31 January 2023
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Substitute Member
01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy
Scottish Labour
01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Tourism
Scottish Labour
25 February 2020 - 04 May 2021
Finance and Constitution Committee
Substitute Member
26 November 2020 - 04 May 2021
Justice Committee
Member
02 December 2020 - 04 May 2021
Justice SubCommittee on Policing
Member
16 November 2020 - 01 March 2021
Party Spokesperson on Justice
Scottish Labour
05 May 2020 - 25 November 2020
Economy Energy and Fair Work Committee
Member
28 April 2020 - 16 November 2020
Party Spokesperson on Eradication of Poverty and Social Inequality
Scottish Labour
10 September 2019 - 05 May 2020
Economy Energy and Fair Work Committee
Substitute Member
02 September 2019 - 28 April 2020
Party Spokesperson on Finance
Scottish Labour
10 September 2019 - 05 February 2020
Finance and Constitution Committee
Substitute Member
25 June 2019 - 30 October 2019
Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
Appointed Member
09 January 2018 - 10 September 2019
Equalities and Human Rights Committee
Substitute Member
23 April 2019 - 10 September 2019
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Substitute Member
09 January 2018 - 10 September 2019
Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Substitute Member
04 October 2018 - 02 September 2019
Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy
Scottish Labour
03 June 2019 - 02 September 2019
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
01 November 2018 - 20 November 2018
Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Member
21 December 2017 - 22 October 2018
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
19 December 2017 - 04 October 2018
Party Spokesperson on Parliamentary Business
Scottish Labour
19 December 2017 - 04 October 2018
Party Spokesperson on Women and Equality
Scottish Labour
08 June 2016 - 09 January 2018
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Member
25 May 2016 - 19 December 2017
Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy
Scottish Labour
25 May 2016 - 19 December 2017
Party Spokesperson on Telecommunications
Scottish Labour
06 January 2015 - 23 March 2016
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Health
Scottish Labour
24 August 2015 - 23 March 2016
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Equal Opportunities
Scottish Labour
24 August 2015 - 23 March 2016
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Welfare
Scottish Labour
24 August 2015 - 23 March 2016
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Care
Scottish Labour
24 August 2015 - 23 March 2016
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Social Inclusion
Scottish Labour
03 September 2013 - 23 March 2016
Health and Sport Committee
Member
07 October 2015 - 23 March 2016
Equal Opportunities Committee
Substitute Member
06 January 2015 - 24 August 2015
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Sport
Scottish Labour
01 June 2011 - 03 September 2013
Economy Energy and Tourism Committee
Member
20 December 2011 - 10 July 2013
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Tourism
Scottish Labour
20 December 2011 - 10 July 2013
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Energy
Scottish Labour
20 December 2011 - 10 July 2013
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Enterprise
Scottish Labour
23 June 2011 - 21 May 2013
Health and Sport Committee
Substitute Member
20 May 2011 - 20 December 2011
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Finance
Scottish Labour
20 May 2011 - 20 December 2011
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Infrastructure
Scottish Labour
17 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Deputy Whip
Scottish Labour
05 November 2009 - 22 March 2011
Equal Opportunities Committee
Substitute Member
05 November 2009 - 22 March 2011
Subordinate Legislation Committee
Member
30 April 2009 - 22 March 2011
Health and Sport Committee
Member
02 October 2008 - 04 November 2009
Rural Affairs and Environment Committee
Substitute Member
24 September 2008 - 20 April 2009
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Rural Development
Scottish Labour
24 September 2008 - 20 April 2009
Deputy Party Spokesperson on the Economy
Scottish Labour
27 June 2007 - 01 October 2008
Local Government and Communities Committee
Substitute Member
20 September 2007 - 01 October 2008
Health and Sport Committee
Member
13 June 2007 - 01 October 2008
Public Petitions Committee
Member
26 February 2002 - 31 March 2003
Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Minister for Social Justice
Scottish Government
08 January 2001 - 31 March 2003
Rural Development Committee
Member
08 January 2001 - 31 March 2003
Public Petitions Committee
Member
17 June 1999 - 07 January 2001
Rural Affairs Committee
Member
17 June 1999 - 07 January 2001
Finance Committee
Member
Register of interests
Rhoda's register of interests
MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.
Here is the register for Rhoda Grant. The date of their initial statement was 18 May 2021.
Remuneration and related undertaking
No registrable interests
Gifts
On 1 July 2022 I received two tickets from Inverness Caledonian Thistle (a Football Club of Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Stadium Road, Inverness IV1 1FF) for the Andrea Bocelli - Believe World Tour. The value of the tickets was £330. [Registered 4 July 2022]
Overseas visits
From 6 to 7 March 2023 I attended and spoke at a side event at the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York. I was invited to speak as Convener of the Cross Party Group on Human Trafficking and co-convenor of the Cross Party Group on Commercial Sexual Exploitation. The cost of the trip was £535.25 for accommodation and overnight costs and 2,559.57 Euros for flights, which is equivalent to approximately £2,256.68. All costs were met by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (of Wallnerstrasse 6, 1010 Vienna, Austria), an intergovernmental regional security organisation with observer status at the United Nations. [Registered 14 March 2023]
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
I own a sixth share of a house in Lewis with a market value of between £100,001 and £150,000. The gross income is up to £5,000 per annum. The property is occupied by one of the co-owners and the income is used to cover the property maintenance costs. [Amended interest 15 June 2023]
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
I received on bottle of whisky from the Scotch Whisky Association, the nominal value for the COP26 Limited Edition Blended Scotch Whisky to be £30, although it is not for commercial sale. [Registered 16 December 2021]
I am a member of the Co-Operative Party MSP Group.
I am a member of Unison.
Until 22 March 2023 I was a Director of the North Applecross Woodlands Company Limited. There was no remuneration attached to the post. [Amended interest 3 July 2023, Ceased interest 3 July 2023]
I received £100 from Unison as a contribution to my regional list selection campaign.
I am the Vice Chair of Friends of the Far North Line. This is an honorary position for which I receive no remuneration.
Since July 2023, I have employed an intern for four days per week. Since September, the intern has attended the CARE (Christian Action Research and Education) education and training Leadership Programme outside of his time employed by me. [Registered 14 September 2023]
Between 26 and 29 April 2023, I attended and spoke at a United Nations conference in Dubrovnik entitled “Reducing Demand for Sexual Exploitation of Trafficking Victims in South-Eastern Europe: Commitment to Comprehensive Action”. The total cost of the visit, including travel, accommodation and subsistence, came to £1,388.34 and was met by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime - Human trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section, Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch. [Registered 11 May 2023]
From 29 September 2020 until 22 July 2021, I was in receipt of the services of an intern. The intern received a bursary from CARE (Christian Action Research and Education), for the educational component of its Leadership Programme only, and provided services separately to me in their own time. I paid for their services, for seven hours per week, between April and July 2021 and the intern was a self-funded volunteer for the rest of the placement. [Amended interest, 4 July 2022; Amended interest, 18 July 2022]
I am a member of the Co-Operative Party.
Between 10 and 13 May 2022, I attended and spoke at a United Nations conference entitled "Improving response to trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation especially women and girls, through addressing demand in South-Eastern Europe". The total cost of the visit, including travel, accommodation and subsistence, came to £1,184 and was met by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime - Human trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section, Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch. [Registered 28 July 2022]
Recent Activity
What was said
What Rhoda Grant has said in Parliament
These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.
Chamber meeting date: 16 May 2024
Affordable Housing (Rural and Island Areas)
7. Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "To ask the First Minister, in light of reports that only four homes have been approved nationally under the affordable housing initiative for key workers scheme, whether he will provide an update on what efforts the Scottish Government will make to address the reported housing crisis in rural and island areas. (S6F-03136)"
Chamber meeting date: 15 May 2024
Creative Scotland (Funding)
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "Creative Scotland’s current funding model, which provides three-year funding, has resulted in the Hebridean Celtic festival—which is one of the most important events in my region—facing a catastrophic funding gap post-2024…
Chamber meeting date: 15 May 2024
Housing Emergency
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I have a one-sixth share in a family home. The lack of housing is the single biggest issue that faces rural Scotland…
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 15 May 2024
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "Colin Smyth sends his apologies. He has to attend another committee meeting, so I have agreed to speak to his amendments. Colin Smyth’s amendment 135 would require support schemes to be consistent with the rural support plan…
Chamber meeting date: 9 May 2024
Suicide Rate
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "Considering population size, the Highlands and Islands region has consistently had a higher rate of suicide than other regions…
Votes
How Rhoda Grant has voted in Parliament
Find out how Rhoda Grant has voted recently.
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Roz McCall
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 29 for, 95 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Scotland’s Housing Emergency
Submitted by: Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, May 13, 2024
Supported by: Sarah Boyack, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 95 for, 29 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Jenny Gilruth, Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Graeme Dey, Natalie Don
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 62 for, 62 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, May 13, 2024
Supported by: Paul Sweeney, Martin Whitfield
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 62 for, 61 against, 1 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Scotland’s Housing Emergency
Submitted by: Paul McLennan, East Lothian, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Kaukab Stewart
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 69 for, 33 against, 22 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Rhoda Grant in Parliament
Find out what motions Rhoda Grant has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Rhoda Grant has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 16 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will expedite protection of the Gairloch Erradale area of sea, in light of reports of the local community's discovery of a herring egg-laying site."
Answer expected on 3 June 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 15 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in response to recently published statistics indicating that the number of emergency food parcels distributed by food banks in Scotland in 2023-24 remains similar to the record levels seen in the previous year."
Taken in the Chamber on 23 May 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 2 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the Market Framework for Natural Capital – Engagement Framework, as referenced on page 4, what amount of investment in natural capital markets is required to reach a level "sufficient to meet Scotland's climate and nature restoration goals" and that would provide for the estimated job creation…
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 15 May 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 13 May 2024
"To ask the First Minister, in light of reports that only four homes have been approved nationally under the affordable housing initiative for key workers scheme, whether he will provide an update on what efforts the Scottish Government will make to address the reported housing crisis in rural and island areas."
Taken in the Chamber on 16 May 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 25 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how many temporary "drive on left" signs have been installed on the A9, and what the ongoing cost is."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 May 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 25 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £5 million announced in December 2022 for extra road safety measures on the A9 has been spent to date, and for what purpose."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 May 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 25 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when routine maintenance of (a) white lineage and (b) bollards was last carried out at each junction on the A9 between Inverness and Thurso."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 May 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 25 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when the next routine maintenance is scheduled to be carried out on each junction of the A9 between Inverness and Thurso."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 May 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 25 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place with (a) the car hire sector, (b) key local partners and (c) regional partners to examine how tourists and foreign drivers can be better educated on the use of Scotland’s roads, including the A9."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 May 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 25 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when the next routine maintenance is scheduled to be carried out on each junction of the A9 between Perth and Inverness."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 May 2024