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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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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

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

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

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

09 January 2018 - 10 September 2019

Equalities and Human Rights 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

07 October 2015 - 23 March 2016

Equal Opportunities Committee

Substitute Member

03 September 2013 - 23 March 2016

Health and Sport Committee

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

30 April 2009 - 22 March 2011

Health and Sport Committee

Member

05 November 2009 - 22 March 2011

Equal Opportunities Committee

Substitute Member

05 November 2009 - 22 March 2011

Subordinate Legislation 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

20 September 2007 - 01 October 2008

Health and Sport Committee

Member

13 June 2007 - 01 October 2008

Public Petitions Committee

Member

27 June 2007 - 01 October 2008

Local Government and Communities Committee

Substitute 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

Finance Committee

Member

17 June 1999 - 07 January 2001

Rural Affairs 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

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 MSP Group.

[Ceased interest removed from entry: 4 July 2024]

I am a member of the Co-Operative Party.

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]

I am a member of Unison.

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]

I received £100 from Unison as a contribution to my regional list selection campaign.

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]

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 the Vice Chair of Friends of the Far North Line. This is an honorary position for which I receive no remuneration.

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: 21 November 2024

Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "As we have heard this afternoon, prisons are at breaking point. Scottish Labour warned that that would happen, when early release was granted in the summer…

Chamber meeting date: 13 November 2024

Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs (Farms)

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "I am slightly puzzled by the cabinet secretary’s concern about the ring fence being removed. Surely there is nothing to prevent her from putting that ring fence in place for Scottish farmers."

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 13 November 2024

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "On that theme, we are aware that jobs are hard to find in rural areas, and that the jobs provided by fish farms can have an economic benefit in allowing people to remain in rural areas…

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 6 November 2024

Joint Fisheries Statement

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "Can we get a timeline for when the work will be done…

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting date: 5 November 2024

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "Thank you very much. I have some questions on a theme and then some supplementaries on evidence that was given previously, so bear with me if I appear to be dotting about a wee bit. First, I will ask about urban land reform…

Votes

How Rhoda Grant has voted in Parliament

Find out how Rhoda Grant has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-15551

Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution

Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, November 21, 2024

Result 92 for, 30 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15531

Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill

Submitted by: Angela Constance, Almond Valley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, November 18, 2024

Supported by: Siobhian Brown
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, November 21, 2024

Result 69 for, 49 against, 3 abstained, 8 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15545

Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill: Timetable and Procedures for Consideration

Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Result 92 for, 31 against, 0 abstained, 6 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15529.2

Impact of National Insurance Increase on Public Services

Submitted by: Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Result 29 for, 90 against, 3 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-15529

Impact of National Insurance Increase on Public Services

Submitted by: Neil Gray, Airdrie and Shotts, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, November 18, 2024

Supported by: Ivan McKee, Jenni Minto, Maree Todd
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Result 73 for, 50 against, 0 abstained, 6 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motions

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.

Question ref. S6W-30982

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 31 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its timeline for reviewing its good practice principles for onshore wind developments, and whether there will be opportunities for the community sector to meaningfully engage with this process."

Answered by Alasdair Allan on 13 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-30985

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 31 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there was reportedly no external evaluation of the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) prior to its retendering, and what substantive changes were made to the tender as a result of the call for feedback on CARES."

Answered by Gillian Martin on 12 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-30984

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 31 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the minimum percentage of ownership stakes in any new renewable energy development that should be offered to local communities to purchase, under a good practice shared ownership model."

Answered by Gillian Martin on 12 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-30983

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 31 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its timeline for developing a framework to support shared ownership of renewables, as proposed within the onshore wind sector deal, and whether there will be opportunities for the community sector to meaningfully engage with this process."

Answered by Gillian Martin on 11 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-30981

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 31 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what new measures it plans to take to facilitate the expansion of renewable energy that is fully community-owned, as part of meeting its ambition to reach 2GW of community- and locally-owned energy by 2030."

Answered by Gillian Martin on 11 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-30676

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 15 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-25949 by Mairi McAllan on 13 March 2024, whether it has now assessed potential public expenditure or contingent liability implications for its Budget to de-risk or otherwise sufficiently underwrite private investment in nature recovery, as part of contributing to reducing carbon…

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 30 October 2024

Question ref. S6W-30677

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 15 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what target ratio of public to private sector investment it has set when seeking to incentivise private investment in nature recovery, and whether it has established a maximum limit to the proportion that the public purse should pay of any investment."

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 29 October 2024

Question ref. S6W-30678

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 15 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what transparency arrangements it proposes in relation to the sources of private finance into natural capital investments that is supported by public spending, to ensure that any such investment can be fully visible and scrutinised against high-integrity principles, and whether it will provide any financial support to…

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 29 October 2024

Question ref. S6W-30679

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 15 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what rate of direct cash return it is expecting from any public investment made in support of attracting private investment into nature recovery."

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 29 October 2024

Question ref. S6W-30518

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 9 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-30045 by Fiona Hyslop on 4 October 2024, what the (a) value and (b) length of the contract is with (i) naValue GmbH and (ii) Addleshaw Goddard."

Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 29 October 2024

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