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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Sarah Boyack

Scottish Labour

MSP for Lothian (Region) 2019 - present day

Former MSP for Lothian (Region) 2011 - 2016

Former MSP for Edinburgh Central (Constituency) 1999 - 2011

About Sarah Boyack

Contact details

Contact online

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 6994
Text relay calls welcome.

Committees

Cross-party groups

Sarah is a member of 17 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Bangladesh

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Circular Economy

Member

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

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Creative Economy

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Culture and Communities

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Europe

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Fair Trade

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on India

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on International Development

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Nordic Countries

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Pakistan

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Palestine

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Sustainable Transport

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Taiwan

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Wellbeing Economy

Member

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Sarah has 1 parliamentary and government role

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Branch Executive

Member

Party Roles

Sarah has 3 party roles

Party Spokesperson on Energy

Scottish Labour

Party Spokesperson on Just Transition

Scottish Labour

Party Spokesperson on Net Zero

Scottish Labour

Previous roles

Sarah has had 39 previous roles

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

17 June 2021 - 25 April 2023

Constitution Europe External Affairs and Culture Committee

Member

22 September 2021 - 25 April 2023

Local Government Housing and Planning Committee

Substitute Member

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on the Constitution

Scottish Labour

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on External Affairs

Scottish Labour

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Culture

Scottish Labour

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Environment

Scottish Labour

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Climate Change

Scottish Labour

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Land Reform

Scottish Labour

25 September 2019 - 04 May 2021

Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Substitute Member

11 September 2019 - 04 May 2021

Local Government and Communities Committee

Deputy Convener

02 September 2019 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Local Government

Scottish Labour

05 February 2020 - 25 February 2020

Finance and Constitution Committee

Substitute Member

10 September 2019 - 11 September 2019

Local Government and Communities Committee

Member

06 January 2015 - 23 March 2016

Policy Forum/Manifesto Co-ordinator

Scottish Labour

19 August 2015 - 23 March 2016

Party Spokesperson on Environmental Justice

Scottish Labour

08 January 2015 - 23 March 2016

Rural Affairs Climate Change and Environment Committee

Member

16 December 2014 - 19 August 2015

Party Spokesperson on Rural Development

Scottish Labour

16 December 2014 - 19 August 2015

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Labour

03 September 2013 - 08 January 2015

Local Government and Regeneration Committee

Substitute Member

19 December 2011 - 16 December 2014

Party Spokesperson on Local Government

Scottish Labour

19 December 2011 - 16 December 2014

Party Spokesperson on Planning

Scottish Labour

20 May 2011 - 19 December 2011

Party Spokesperson on Rural Development

Scottish Labour

20 May 2011 - 19 December 2011

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Labour

17 September 2007 - 22 March 2011

Party Spokesperson on Rural Development

Scottish Labour

17 September 2007 - 22 March 2011

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Labour

13 June 2007 - 20 September 2007

Rural Affairs and Environment Committee

Member

18 May 2007 - 17 September 2007

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Labour

11 January 2007 - 17 May 2007

Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development

Scottish Government

10 June 2003 - 15 January 2007

Environment and Rural Development Committee

Convener

10 June 2003 - 15 January 2007

conveners group

Member

04 June 2003 - 10 June 2003

Environment and Rural Development Committee

Member

31 October 2002 - 31 March 2003

Audit Committee

Member

26 September 2002 - 31 March 2003

Social Justice Committee

Substitute Member

06 March 2003 - 31 March 2003

European and External Relations Committee

Member

29 November 2001 - 05 March 2003

European Committee

Member

07 March 2002 - 27 June 2002

Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Bill Committee

Member

21 March 2001 - 28 November 2001

Minister for Transport and Planning

Scottish Government

02 November 2000 - 21 March 2001

Minister for Transport and Telecommunications

Scottish Government

19 May 1999 - 01 November 2000

Minister for Transport and the Environment

Scottish Government

Register of interests

Sarah'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 Sarah Boyack. The date of their initial statement was 08 June 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

I worked as Head of Public Affairs for the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Sutherland House, 149 St Vincent St, Glasgow G2 5NW, part time for the first three weeks from February 2017, then full time from March 2017. I left the post on 12 July 2019 and was returned to Parliament on 15 July 2019. On 26 July 2019, I received a final salary payment of between £1,001 and £2,000 representing the outstanding salary owed to me.

Gifts

No registrable interests

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 Cooperative Party.

I am a member of Spokes - The Lothian Cycle Campaign.

On 5 December 2023 I received a gift of a food hamper valued at approximately £150 from Community Windpower Ltd (Godscroft Lane, Frodsham, Cheshire, WA6 6XU). The gift was to me as an individual. [Registered 21 December 2023]

I am a member of both Unison and Community Trade Unions.

I am a member of Friends of the Earth Scotland.

I am a member of the Edinburgh Solar COOP.

I am a Vice President of the European Movement in Scotland.

I worked as a temporary and part time lecturer at Heriot Watt University teaching Planning and Environmental Studies from September 2016 until March 2017.

On 9 August 2024 I attended the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo as a guest of Jason Barrett, CEO of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (1-3 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QB). The cost of the ticket was £445.00. [Registered 3 October 2024]

Recent Activity

What was said

What Sarah Boyack 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.

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee meeting date: 13 November 2024

Property Factors (PE2006)

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "Thank you for enabling me to come back and give feedback. It is quite some time since the petition was discussed, but we still have an accountability problem, which our constituents are experiencing daily…

Chamber meeting date: 31 October 2024

Scotland’s Commissioner Landscape

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "Does the member acknowledge that a range of different commissioners are being proposed…

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting date: 29 October 2024

Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "Convener, I welcome the fact that you have told us not to edit our comments to be too succinct. That is a key issue—we need to make sure that we scrutinise the legislation, because it has happened so quickly…

Chamber meeting date: 10 October 2024

Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "Although those targets were ambitious, were there suggestions from the Climate Change Committee for how we could meet them?"

Chamber meeting date: 3 October 2024

Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion (Closure)

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "To ask the First Minister, in the light of the disruption that will arise from the closure of the Princess Alexandra eye pavilion for the next six months, what financial support the Scottish Government has committed to providing to NHS Lothian, to ensure that no patient loses out now or in the future."

Votes

How Sarah Boyack has voted in Parliament

Find out how Sarah Boyack has voted recently.

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

Motion ref. S6M-15530

Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill

Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, November 18, 2024

Supported by: Siobhian Brown, Angela Constance, John Swinney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Result 67 for, 50 against, 4 abstained, 8 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15529.3

Impact of National Insurance Increase on Public Services

Submitted by: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 19, 2024

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

Result 21 for, 102 against, 0 abstained, 6 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motions

Questions

Questions Sarah Boyack has asked

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

Question ref. S6W-31510

Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 20 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) it will provide an update on how much of the £1…

Answer expected on 5 December 2024

Question ref. S6O-04011

Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 20 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details of the reasons why it decided against externally reviewing the Community Right to Buy scheme."

Taken in the Chamber on 27 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-31148

Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had any discussions with Crown Estate Scotland about replicating the UK Government partnership announcement with The Crown Estate for future ScotWind leasing rounds."

Answered by Gillian Martin on 19 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-31147

Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on timelines for future ScotWind leasing rounds."

Answered by Gillian Martin on 19 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-31146

Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the Local Power Plan, and whether it will provide support for local authorities in Scotland to take advantage of any potential opportunities as a result of the plan."

Answered by Gillian Martin on 18 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-31133

Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 8 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29941 by Ivan McKee on 24 September 2024, for what reason no provision exists within the National Electricity Supply Contract to provide local community-owned renewable electricity to clients, and what priority it gives to allowing clients to secure electricity that was being…

Answered by Ivan McKee on 18 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-31130

Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 8 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29936 by Ivan McKee on 24 September 2024, who the members are of the Risk Management Committee that owns the current risk managed hedging strategy; whether the committee has considered any community wealth building advantages of adding community energy suppliers to the generation…

Answered by Ivan McKee on 18 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-31127

Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 8 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29945 by Ivan McKee on 24 September 2024, for what reason it did not make provision for community energy suppliers to be added to the generation mix in the contract awarded to EDF, in light of its support for community wealth building, and how the policy approach adopted supports…

Answered by Ivan McKee on 18 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-31132

Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 8 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29938 by Ivan McKee on 24 September 2024, whether local authorities can (a) build and generate their own supply to offset their requirement to purchase electricity from the single supplier and (b) sell or sleeve their independent supply in the wider electricity marketplace to…

Answered by Ivan McKee on 18 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-31126

Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 8 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29938 by Ivan McKee on 24 September 2024, whether it has established (a) whether each local authority has any option to source another supply within their area, outwith the National Electricity Supply Contract, and (b) what benefits contracting with such sources could bring for…

Answered by Ivan McKee on 18 November 2024

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