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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Ben Macpherson

Scottish National Party

MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith (Constituency) 2016 - present day

About Ben Macpherson

Contact details

Contact online

X (previously known as Twitter): @BenMacpherson

Facebook: Ben's facebook

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 600 0134
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

34 Constitution Street
Leith
Edinburgh
EH6 6RS

Phone: 0131 600 0134
Text relay calls welcome.

Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.

Committees

Cross-party groups

Ben is a member of 7 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Brain Tumours

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Europe

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Housing

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi

Co-Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Medicinal Cannabis

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Poverty

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Ukraine

Member

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Ben has 1 parliamentary and government role

Conveners Group

Member

Party Roles

Ben does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Ben has had 17 previous roles

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

05 December 2024 - 12 December 2024

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee

Member

05 September 2023 - 11 September 2024

Net Zero Energy and Transport Committee

Deputy Convener

05 September 2023 - 17 June 2024

Education Children and Young People Committee

Member

26 April 2023 - 05 September 2023

Education Children and Young People Committee

Deputy Convener

29 June 2023 - 05 September 2023

Net Zero Energy and Transport Committee

Member

18 April 2023 - 29 June 2023

Equalities Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Substitute Member

18 April 2023 - 29 June 2023

Constitution Europe External Affairs and Culture Committee

Member

18 April 2023 - 26 April 2023

Education Children and Young People Committee

Member

19 May 2021 - 29 March 2023

Minister for Social Security and Local Government

Scottish Government

21 December 2020 - 19 May 2021

Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment

Scottish Government

17 February 2020 - 21 December 2020

Minister for Public Finance and Migration

Scottish Government

28 June 2018 - 17 February 2020

Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development

Scottish Government

14 June 2016 - 28 June 2018

Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Office of the First Minister

Scottish Government

14 June 2016 - 28 June 2018

Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the First Minister

Scottish Government

08 June 2016 - 28 June 2018

Justice Committee

Member

06 October 2016 - 28 June 2018

Justice SubCommittee on Policing

Member

08 June 2016 - 28 June 2018

Social Security Committee

Member

Register of interests

Ben'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 Ben Macpherson. The date of their initial statement was 24 May 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

No registrable interests

Gifts

On 4 February 2017 myself and a guest attended the Scotland v Ireland match at Murrayfield as hospitality guests of BT Scotland (a telecommunications company of BT Group plc, BT Centre, 81 Newgate Street, London EC1A 7AJ). The combined value of the two tickets was £1390 + VAT.

Overseas visits

From 3 to 25 February 2024 I visited the United States of America as a participant in the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. I participated in this particular three week professional exchange program with a range of other participants from Europe and Asia, considering various global challenges. The costs of travel, accommodation, meals and other occasional expenses were $9,284 USD (equivalent to £7339, at the closing exchange rate on 29 February 2024) and were met by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State (of 2201 C St., NW Washington, DC 20520, United States of America), an organisation that aims to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through exchange programmes. [Registered 29 February 2024]

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

No registrable interests

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

[Ceased interest removed from entry: 16 May 2024]

I am registered on the roll of Scottish Solicitors.

Recent Activity

What was said

What Ben Macpherson 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: 19 December 2024

Potholes

Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "I commend Pam Gosal for bringing this important issue to the chamber. It is an issue across the UK, and the research from the RAC that is cited in Pam Gosal’s motion is about roads across the UK…

Chamber meeting date: 18 December 2024

Education (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "I am pleased to take part in today’s debate. As Parliament was made aware yesterday, George Adam, who is an SNP member of the committee, is unfortunately unwell this week, and we wish him a speedy recovery…

Chamber meeting date: 18 December 2024

Holyrood Park

Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "I pay tribute to Lorna Slater for bringing this motion and subject area to the Parliament for debate. I have a long attachment to Holyrood park…

Chamber meeting date: 12 December 2024

Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club

Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "I thank David Torrance for bringing the motion to the chamber for debate, not only allowing us to pay tribute to the Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club and welcome those who are here today to represent it, but giving those of us across the country who are interested in these issues the chance to recognise that club in Fife and to consider how it…

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee meeting date: 12 December 2024

Interests

Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "I am not a member of the Law Society of Scotland, but I am on its roll of Scottish solicitors. That may be of relevance at points during our deliberations."

Votes

How Ben Macpherson has voted in Parliament

Find out how Ben Macpherson has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-15876

Education (Scotland) Bill

Submitted by: Jenny Gilruth, Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 16, 2024

Supported by: Graeme Dey, Natalie Don-Innes
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Result 96 for, 0 against, 21 abstained, 12 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15875

Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill

Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 16, 2024

Supported by: John Swinney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Result 111 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15792.3

Delivering a Common Sense Budget for Scotland

Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Supported by: Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Result 73 for, 28 against, 21 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15792

Delivering a Common Sense Budget for Scotland

Submitted by: Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 9, 2024

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Result 94 for, 28 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15809

Approval of SSI

Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Result 73 for, 49 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motions

Questions

Questions Ben Macpherson has asked

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

Question ref. S6W-32043

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 6 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement in its draft Budget 2025-26 of an additional £4…

Answered by Jenni Minto on 17 December 2024

Question ref. S6W-31803

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 27 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will review the number of events and meetings that take place after Decision Time in the Scottish Parliament building."

Answered by Christine Grahame (on behalf of the SPCB) on 3 December 2024

Question ref. S6W-30947

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 29 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its planned review of Creative Scotland, and wider funding streams for the arts and culture sector."

Answered by Angus Robertson on 8 November 2024

Question ref. S6O-03858

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 23 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the finance secretary has had with ministerial colleagues, City of Edinburgh Council and other relevant stakeholders regarding how its financial planning can support the delivery of affordable housing in Edinburgh."

Taken in the Chamber on 30 October 2024

Question ref. S6W-30110

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 25 September 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to implementing the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 earlier than April 2025."

Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 8 October 2024

Question ref. S6O-03770

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 18 September 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the implementation of its heat in buildings strategy, what discussions it has had with the UK Government on consumer protection, in light of reported concerns that customers currently using heat networks are not protected by Ofgem's price cap."

Taken in the Chamber on 26 September 2024

Question ref. S6O-03701

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 4 September 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024 and Cladding Remediation Programme, including the Scottish Safer Buildings Accord and Single Building Assessment pilot programme."

Taken in the Chamber on 12 September 2024

Question ref. S6W-29240

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 23 August 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its announced review of the Community Right to Buy, what steps it has taken to (a) advertise its review of the community right to buy land and (b) invite evidence; what deadline it has set for the submission of evidence; whether it plans to publish all evidence submitted, and what formal terms of reference…

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 2 September 2024

Question ref. S6W-28987

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 8 August 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for early release prisoners to ensure that they are able to find and maintain stable accommodation upon release."

Answered by Angela Constance on 28 August 2024

Question ref. S6W-28988

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 8 August 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to ensure that early release prisoners are not at risk of homelessness upon release."

Answered by Angela Constance on 28 August 2024

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