Skip to main content

Language: English / Gàidhlig

Loading…

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

Image description

Paul O'Kane

Scottish Labour

MSP for West Scotland (Region) 2021 - present day

About Paul O'Kane

Contact details

Contact online

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 5942
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

Phone: 0141 887 5111
Text relay calls welcome.

Committees

Cross-party groups

Paul is a member of 17 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Building Bridges with Israel

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Care Leavers

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Carers

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Changing Places Toilets

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Co-Operatives

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Deafness

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Diabetes

Co-Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Dyslexia

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on India

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Learning Disability

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on LGBTI+

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Long Covid

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Poverty

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Science and Technology

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Social Work

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Ukraine

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Volunteering

Member

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Paul does not have any parliamentary or government roles

Party Roles

Paul has 3 party roles

Party Spokesperson on Equalities

Scottish Labour

Party Spokesperson on Social Justice

Scottish Labour

Party Spokesperson on Social Security

Scottish Labour

Previous roles

Paul has had 5 previous roles

Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.

22 June 2021 - 25 April 2023

Health Social Care and Sport Committee

Deputy Convener

22 September 2021 - 25 April 2023

Equalities Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Substitute Member

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Public Health

Scottish Labour

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Social Care

Scottish Labour

17 June 2021 - 22 June 2021

Health Social Care and Sport Committee

Member

Register of interests

Paul'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 Paul O'Kane. The date of their initial statement was 07 June 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

Until 10 May 2021, I was a Policy and Participation Manager at ENABLE Scotland (a Learning Disability Charity and Social Care Provider of Inspire House, 3 Renshaw Place, Eurocentral, North Lanarkshire, ML14UF). I worked 21 hours per week and the remuneration I received was between £30,001 and £35,000 (pro-rata) per annum.

Until 4 May 2022, I was a councillor for East Renfrewshire Council (of Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, G46 6UH) and additionally, until 10 June 2021, I was Depute Leader of the Council and Convener for Education and Equalities. I worked approximately 21 hours per week and, until 10 June 2021, received remuneration of between £20,001 and £25,000 per annum. I had resigned as Depute Leader of the Council and Convener for Education and Equalities with effect from 10 June 2021 but remained as a councillor. From 10 June 2021 to 4 May 2022, I received remuneration of between £15,001 to £20,000 per annum. My councillor salary was donated to local community groups in my Ward. [Amended interest 5 October 2022]

Until 10 June 2021, I will be Chair of the Transport and Mechanical Advisory Group Association of Public Sector Excellence (APSE) (a not for profit unincorporated association of 300 Councils across the UK promoting excellence in public services of Scottish Office, Brandon House, 23-25 Brandon Street, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, ML3 6DA). I work 4 hours per month and receive remuneration of between £1,001 and £2,000 per annum. I resigned from this role with effect from 10 June 2021.

Gifts

On 18th September 2022, I received two Group D Finals tickets for my husband and I for the Davis Cup in Glasgow from the Lawn Tennis Association (National Tennis Centre, 100 Priory Lane, Roehampton, London, SW15 5JQ). The value of these tickets was £492. [Registered 3 October 2022]

Overseas visits

No registrable interests

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

No registrable interests

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

I am a member of the Scottish Co-operative Party.

I am a member of Community Union.

I was paid £100 by You Gov on 10 July 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 16 September 2024]

I received two complimentary tickets from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland of Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8NB for my husband and I to attend the Royal Highland Show on Sunday 23 June 2024, the estimated value of the tickets was £68.00. [Registered 16 September 2024]

I am the Chair of Trustees of Neilston War Memorial Association.

I am a patron of LGBT Labour.

I am a member of GMB Union.

I am a member of ENABLE Scotland.

I was paid £100 by You Gov on 25 September 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 25 September 2024]

I received two complimentary tickets from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland of Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8NB for my husband and I to attend the Royal Highland Show on Sunday 25 June 2023, the estimated value of the tickets was £68.00. [Registered 16 September 2024]

I was paid £70 by You Gov on 25 July 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 16 September 2024]

I was paid £75 by Savanta on 26 June 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 16 September 2024]

I was paid £30 by You Gov on 25 April 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 16 September 2024]

I am a member of LGBT Labour Scotland.

Recent Activity

What was said

What Paul O'Kane 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: 14 January 2025

Winter Heating Payment

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I seek your guidance regarding the statement…

Social Justice and Social Security Committee meeting date: 9 January 2025

Budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "Good morning, cabinet secretary and officials. I will move on to the theme of planning and administration of social security in Scotland…

Chamber meeting date: 7 January 2025

Child Poverty

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "Is Russell Findlay genuinely trying to get the rest of the chamber to agree that he, as an ardent supporter of Liz Truss, should be trusted on how to support and grow the economy and lift people out of poverty…

Chamber meeting date: 19 December 2024

Disabled People

1. Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement its ministers have had with disabled people’s organisations to discuss any concerns of disabled people. (S6O-04145)"

Social Justice and Social Security Committee meeting date: 19 December 2024

Scottish Fiscal Commission

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "I am going to ask some questions about the adult disability payment…

Votes

How Paul O'Kane has voted in Parliament

Find out how Paul O'Kane has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-16092.2

Valuing Culture: Scotland's Support to the Culture Sector

Submitted by: Neil Bibby, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, January 13, 2025

Supported by: Michael Marra
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Result 24 for, 64 against, 28 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-16092

Valuing Culture: Scotland's Support to the Culture Sector

Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, January 13, 2025

Supported by: Jamie Hepburn
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Result 69 for, 23 against, 26 abstained, 11 did not vote

MSP abstained

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-16092.3

Valuing Culture: Scotland's Support to the Culture Sector

Submitted by: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, January 13, 2025

Supported by: Liz Smith
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Result 29 for, 88 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-16034.1

Building a Migration System that Supports Scotland’s Economy, Public Services and Communities

Submitted by: Maggie Chapman, North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Supported by: Lorna Slater
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, January 9, 2025

Result 68 for, 28 against, 21 abstained, 12 did not vote

MSP abstained

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-16034.4

Building a Migration System that Supports Scotland’s Economy, Public Services and Communities

Submitted by: Jeremy Balfour, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, January 9, 2025

Result 27 for, 90 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motions

Questions

Questions Paul O'Kane has asked

These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.

Question ref. S6O-04183

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 18 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to continue the Investing in Communities Fund into the 2025-26 financial year, in light of reported concerns that funding may not continue for supported community projects."

Answered by Tom Arthur on 9 January 2025

Question ref. S6W-32456

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 18 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to provide economic support to long COVID patients, in light of reports of the financial strain that it places on them and their families."

Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 January 2025

Question ref. S6O-04201

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 8 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of the Changing Places Toilet Fund."

Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025

Question ref. S6W-32457

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 18 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what actions are being taken to raise awareness of the symptoms and risks of long COVID, and the support services that are available."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 7 January 2025

Question ref. S6W-32455

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 18 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to address any gaps in services and medical treatment for patients with long COVID, in light of reports undertaken by Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland and The ALLIANCE on the condition."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 7 January 2025

Question ref. S6W-32272

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 12 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport during the members' business debate on motion S6M-14427 (Reversal of £10 Million Funding for Changing Places Toilets) on 11 December 2024, whether it will provide the draft criteria for the planned Changing Places Toilet Fund to…

Answered by Maree Todd on 6 January 2025

Question ref. S6W-32270

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 12 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport during the members' business debate on motion S6M-14427 (Reversal of £10 Million Funding for Changing Places Toilets) on 11 December 2024, how much funding has been allocated from within its draft mental health budget for…

Answered by Maree Todd on 6 January 2025

Question ref. S6W-32274

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 12 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport during the members' business debate on motion S6M-14427 (Reversal of £10 Million Funding for Changing Places Toilets) on 11 December 2024, by what date it plans to have published the application form for the planned Changing…

Answered by Maree Todd on 6 January 2025

Question ref. S6W-32273

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 12 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport during the members' business debate on motion S6M-14427 (Reversal of £10 Million Funding for Changing Places Toilets) on 11 December 2024, by what date in the 2025-26 financial year it hopes to have opened the Changing Places…

Answered by Maree Todd on 6 January 2025

Question ref. S6W-32271

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 12 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport during the members' business debate on motion S6M-14427 (Reversal of £10 Million Funding for Changing Places Toilets) on 11 December 2024, whether it plans to publish the draft criteria for the planned Changing Places Toilet…

Answered by Maree Todd on 6 January 2025

Share this page