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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 16 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

Convener

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 Rural Policy

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]

From 6 to 13 October 2024, as a co-convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Taiwan, I visited Taiwan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). The trip was arranged by the Taipei Representative Office (Edinburgh) in the UK, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) (of 1 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7PE). The Tapei Representative Office (Edinburgh) offers quasi-consular assistance to Taiwanese nationals in Scotland and represents the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the United Kingdom through a manner of cultural, academic, and economic activities. On my visit to Taiwan, I met a number of Government departments, as well as trade, faith-based and cultural organisations. The visit was made up of a cross-party delegation all of whom were, at the time of the trip, members of the Cross Party Group on Taiwan. The total cost of the flights, hotels and ancillary expenses was £8,800. These costs were met entirely by the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) as detailed above. [Registered 13 November 2024]

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]

[Ceased interest removed from entry: 4 July 2024]

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]

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]

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

I am a member of Unison.

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 am a member of the Co-Operative Party.

I am a member of the Co-Operative Party MSP Group.

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: 29 January 2025

Health and Social Care Workforce

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "This Government continues to design and deliver services with urban areas in mind. The way in which training is delivered does not work for those who live in rural Scotland…

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 29 January 2025

Deer Working Group Report

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "I am an MSP for the Highlands and Islands region."

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting date: 28 January 2025

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "It has been a very interesting discussion. We heard from the community development companies that they were looking for land in order to retain populations, but the bill covers land at the moment of sale; it does not cover on-going development…

Chamber meeting date: 23 January 2025

Uist (Haulage Costs)

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "The First Minister will be aware of the eye-watering increases in haulage costs for perishable food to businesses in Uist. In some cases, prices have increased by 120 per cent, stopping some food supplies within the islands…

Chamber meeting date: 23 January 2025

Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "I have. Let me try again. That does not appear to have worked."

Votes

How Rhoda Grant has voted in Parliament

Find out how Rhoda Grant has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-16299

Budget (Scotland) (No. 4) Bill

Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Thursday, January 30, 2025

Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Ivan McKee, John Swinney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Result 74 for, 30 against, 21 abstained, 4 did not vote

MSP abstained

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-16252.2

Supporting Scotland’s Health and Social Care Workforce

Submitted by: Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Result 51 for, 68 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-16252.1

Supporting Scotland’s Health and Social Care Workforce

Submitted by: Neil Gray, Airdrie and Shotts, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Supported by: Jenni Minto, Maree Todd
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Result 61 for, 53 against, 7 abstained, 8 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-16252

Supporting Scotland’s Health and Social Care Workforce

Submitted by: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, January 27, 2025

Supported by: Carol Mochan, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Result 61 for, 53 against, 7 abstained, 8 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-16237.1

Investing in Public Services Through the Scottish Budget

Submitted by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Date lodged: Monday, January 27, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Result 59 for, 45 against, 8 abstained, 17 did not vote

MSP not voted

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-34489

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 31 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government under what grounds people with Huntington’s disease might be refused access to support from (a) general psychiatry and (b) community mental health teams despite their Huntington’s disease specialist and/or clinical lead seeking to refer them to these services."

Answer expected on 28 February 2025

Question ref. S6W-33974

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how people in the NHS Highland area who are impacted by Huntington’s disease can access support from (a) general psychiatry and (b) community mental health teams."

Answer expected on 7 February 2025

Question ref. S6W-33949

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what the average spend was of recreational visitors to the Highlands and Islands in each year since 2018."

Answer expected on 7 February 2025

Question ref. S6W-33951

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how many VisitScotland destination development directors were in post each December since 2018, and where each was located."

Answer expected on 7 February 2025

Question ref. S6W-33952

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how many VisitScotland development managers were in post each December since 2018, and where each was located."

Answer expected on 7 February 2025

Question ref. S6W-33950

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what experience each VisitScotland board member has in relation to their role in the organisation, and where each is located."

Answer expected on 7 February 2025

Question ref. S6W-33973

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 January 2025

Question ref. S6W-33954

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how many recreational visitors travelled to the Highlands and Islands in each year since 2018."

Answer expected on 7 February 2025

Question ref. S6W-33975

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what recourse is open to people impacted by Huntington’s disease in the NHS Highland area who have been refused statutory mental health care due to their condition, and how this compares with the rest of the country."

Answer expected on 7 February 2025

Question ref. S6W-33953

Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff VisitScotland had each December since 2018, broken down by county that they were employed in."

Answer expected on 7 February 2025

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