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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

Image description

Colin Smyth

Scottish Labour

MSP for South Scotland (Region) 2016 - present day

About Colin Smyth

Contact details

Contact online

X (previously known as Twitter): @colinsmythmsp

Facebook: Colin's facebook

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 6986
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

17 Buccleuch Street
Dumfries
DG1 2AT

Phone: 01387 279205
Text relay calls welcome.

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

Committees

Cross-party groups

Colin is a member of 19 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Animal Welfare

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Beer and Pubs

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Brain Tumours

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on China

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Civil Nuclear Industry

Co-Convener

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

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Fair Trade

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Food

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Future of Football in Scotland

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Heart and Circulatory Diseases

Co-Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Japan

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Older People, Age and Ageing

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Rural Policy

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scotch Whisky

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Tourism

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Visual Impairment

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Wood Panel Industry

Deputy Convener

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Colin has 1 parliamentary and government role

Conveners Group

Member

Party Roles

Colin does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Colin has had 23 previous roles

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

17 June 2021 - 13 November 2024

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Member

16 November 2023 - 31 January 2024

Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee

Member

01 February 2023 - 25 April 2023

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Substitute Member

22 September 2021 - 25 April 2023

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Substitute Member

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Economic Development

Scottish Labour

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Rural Affairs

Scottish Labour

30 November 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Net Zero

Scottish Labour

30 November 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Energy

Scottish Labour

30 November 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Transport

Scottish Labour

29 September 2021 - 01 February 2023

Rural Affairs Islands and Natural Environment Committee

Substitute Member

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on External Affairs

Scottish Labour

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Constitution

Scottish Labour

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Europe

Scottish Labour

28 June 2016 - 04 May 2021

Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee

Substitute Member

09 January 2018 - 04 May 2021

Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

Member

19 December 2017 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Telecommunications

Scottish Labour

04 October 2018 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Infrastructure

Scottish Labour

04 October 2018 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Transport

Scottish Labour

02 September 2019 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy

Scottish Labour

19 December 2017 - 04 October 2018

Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy

Scottish Labour

08 June 2016 - 09 January 2018

Health and Sport Committee

Member

25 May 2016 - 19 December 2017

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Health

Scottish Labour

25 May 2016 - 19 December 2017

Chief Whip

Scottish Labour

Register of interests

Colin'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 Colin Smyth. The date of their initial statement was 05 June 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

No registrable interests

Gifts

No registrable interests

Overseas visits

From 9 February to 13 February 2024 I visited California, USA, as part of a cross-party delegation of MSPs, meeting health professionals, family members of individuals who had used the state’s End of Life Options Act, Senators and representatives of organisations who provide information about the provisions of the Act. The costs of the visit, including travel, accommodation and meals amounted to £2,694 and were paid by the permissible donor Dignity in Dying (a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns for a change in the law on assisted dying, of 181 Oxford Street, London, W1D 2JT). [Registered 8 March 2024]

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

No registrable interests

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

Until 4 May 2017, when I stood down, I was a senior councillor for Dumfries and Galloway Council (of English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2DD). I worked approximately 20 hours per week and I received remuneration of between £20,001 and £25,000 per annum. I donated my salary to local and national good causes/charities. I do not believe this meets the prejudice test.

I am a member of GMB Union.

I am Chairperson of the Dumfries and Galloway Fairtrade Steering Group.

I am a member of Unite the Union.

I am a member of the League Against Cruel Sports.

I am Chairperson of the Eastriggs Railway Station Action Group (ERSAG).

I am member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Until 31 May 2016 I was a volunteer coordinator at Parkinson’s UK, a charity organisation (of 215 Vauxhaull Bridge Road, London, SW1V 1EJ). I received remuneration of between £25,001 and £30,000 per annum and worked 35 hours per week. I do not believe this meets the prejudice test.

Recent Activity

What was said

What Colin Smyth 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

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "The cabinet secretary referred to funding for the warmer homes Scotland scheme. What discussions has she had with her colleagues on the Government’s consistent failure to spend the budget that it sets aside for area-based energy efficiency projects…

Chamber meeting date: 14 January 2025

Support for the Culture Sector

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "I welcome the debate and the fact that, as a result of the record funding settlement from the UK Government to this Parliament of an extra £5…

Chamber meeting date: 9 January 2025

Additional Support Needs (Dumfries and Galloway)

3. Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the data from the pupil census supplementary statistics, which reportedly shows that the number of pupils with additional support needs in Dumfries and Galloway increased by over 1,000 between 2019 and 2023. (S6O-04171)"

Economy and Fair Work Committee meeting date: 8 January 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private

The Convener (Colin Smyth): "Good morning, everyone, and happy new year. Welcome to the first meeting in 2025 of the Economy and Fair Work Committee. Our first agenda item is a decision on taking items 3, 4 and 5 in private. Are members content to take those items in private…

Economy and Fair Work Committee meeting date: 8 January 2025

Budget Scrutiny 2025-26

The Convener: "Our next item of business is an evidence session on the Scottish Government’s 2025-26 budget, which was published on 4 December, along with the Government’s response to the committee’s pre-budget letter…

Votes

How Colin Smyth has voted in Parliament

Find out how Colin Smyth 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 Colin Smyth has asked

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

Question ref. S6O-04205

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 8 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed plans to reduce delayed discharge with NHS Dumfries and Galloway."

Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025

Question ref. S6W-32663

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 20 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported call from UK campaign group, Wild Justice, to (a) return Brodifacoum to its pre-April 2016 approval status, so that it can be used in strict "internal areas" within buildings, and (b) limit its use to professional pest control companies."

Answered by Gillian Martin on 8 January 2025

Question ref. S6W-32061

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 10 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost has been to NatureScot of removing invasive Sitka spruce growing on peat bogs and within mixed native woodlands in each of the last five years."

Answered by Jim Fairlie on 7 January 2025

Question ref. S6O-04171

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 18 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the data from the Pupils Census Supplementary Statistics, which reportedly shows that the number of pupils with additional support needs in Dumfries and Galloway increased by over 1,000 between 2019 and 2023."

Taken in the Chamber on 9 January 2025

Question ref. S6O-04119

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 4 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the request from the A77 Action Group for the establishment of a task force to consider issues relating to the impact of the reported increased use of full road closures on the A77."

Taken in the Chamber on 12 December 2024

Question ref. S6O-04076

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 27 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Public Health Scotland’s recent NHS dental monitoring report, which indicates that almost 40% of adults in Dumfries and Galloway are not registered with an NHS dentist."

Taken in the Chamber on 5 December 2024

Question ref. S6W-30862

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 25 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported calls from community groups for a pause on processing planning applications for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), in light of reports that there is currently 100GW of energy storage in the National Grid connection "queue" but the Electricity Systems Operator's Future Energy…

Answered by Gillian Martin on 20 November 2024

Question ref. S6F-03553

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 18 November 2024

"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to reported calls to widen access to Scotland’s Redress Scheme to allow survivors of abuse at Fornethy House to seek redress."

Taken in the Chamber on 21 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-30749

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with rail companies whose trains pass through Carstairs railway station but do not stop there about increasing the frequency of rail services from Carstairs."

Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 14 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-30750

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to calls for improved regulation of non-healthcare professionals who carry out medical aesthetic treatments, such as Botox and dermal fillers."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 November 2024

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