Tom Arthur
Scottish National Party
MSP for Renfrewshire South (Constituency) 2016 - present day
About Tom Arthur
Contact details
Contact online
Email: [email protected]
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
Phone: 0131 348 5863
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at local office
49 High Street
Johnstone
PA5 8AJ
Phone: 01505 331990
Text relay calls welcome.
Committees
Tom is not a member of any committees
Cross-party groups
Tom is not a member of any cross-party groups
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Tom has 1 parliamentary and government role
Minister for Employment and Investment
Scottish Government
Find out more about the Cabinet and Ministers at the Scottish Government website.
Party Roles
Tom does not have any party roles
Previous roles
Tom has had 16 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
29 March 2023 - 08 May 2024
Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance
Scottish Government
20 May 2021 - 29 March 2023
Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth
Scottish Government
06 September 2018 - 04 May 2021
Finance and Constitution Committee
Member
25 February 2020 - 04 May 2021
Social Security Committee
Member
19 April 2018 - 25 February 2020
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Member
10 May 2017 - 13 December 2018
Pow of Inchaffray Drainage Commission Scotland Bill Committee
Convener
08 June 2016 - 06 September 2018
Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Member
24 April 2018 - 28 June 2018
Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs
Scottish Government
01 September 2016 - 23 April 2018
Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice
Scottish Government
16 November 2017 - 19 April 2018
Economy Jobs and Fair Work Committee
Member
14 June 2017 - 14 December 2017
Writers to the Signet Dependants Annuity Fund Amendment Scotland Bill Committee
Member
10 May 2017 - 21 November 2017
Edinburgh Bakers Widows Fund Bill Committee
Convener
08 June 2016 - 16 November 2017
Health and Sport Committee
Member
19 April 2017 - 10 May 2017
Edinburgh Bakers Widows Fund Bill Committee
Member
19 April 2017 - 10 May 2017
Pow of Inchaffray Drainage Commission Scotland Bill Committee
Member
14 June 2016 - 31 August 2016
Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport
Scottish Government
Register of interests
Tom'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 Tom Arthur. The date of their initial statement was 08 June 2021.
Remuneration and related undertaking
No registrable interests
Gifts
On 12 August I attended the Edinburgh Military Tattoo held at Edinburgh Castle as a guest of Poppyscotland (a charity supporting ex-Servicemen and women and their families in Scotland of New Haig House, Edinburgh EH7 4HQ). The value of the ticket plus hospitality amounted to £400.
Overseas visits
From 9 October to 13 October 2016 I was part of a cross party group delegation to Taiwan. The main purpose of this trip was to attend the National Day celebration, also to get to know Taiwan's political, economic, cultural, social developments, bilateral relations between Scotland and Taiwan, bilateral relations between Taiwan and China, and Taiwan's international participation. It was a comprehensive design aimed to let the MSPs know where Taiwan stands in East Asia and in the world, hoping that it could help to promote and strengthen the ties and exchanges between Scotland and Taiwan. During the trip we visited the capital city Taipei, in north Taiwan, as well as two other cities Taichung and Nantou, in central Taiwan. The cost of the trip was £6,000, which included round trip flights, meals, accommodation, transportation and tickets to cultural activities/ official visits. All costs were met by the Taiwanese Government via their Representative in Scotland. The trip was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taipei Representative Office in the UK, 1 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7PE. I can confirm I received gifts of under £250 which were a miniature sculpture and a bottle of Taiwanese whiskey.
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
I am a former freelance piano teacher.
I am a former director and shareholder at Velvet Music Ltd.
I own a £1 share in Barrhead Housing Association.
I am a member of the Musicians Union.
Recent Activity
What was said
What Tom Arthur 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: 27 June 2024
Rural and Island Digital Connectivity Challenges
The Minister for Employment and Investment (Tom Arthur): "I commend Beatrice Wishart for securing the debate and bringing this important matter to the chamber. I also thank fellow members for their contributions. Digital connectivity is central to the economic future of rural and island communities…
Economy and Fair Work Committee meeting date: 26 June 2024
Tied Pubs (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 [Draft]
The Minister for Employment and Investment (Tom Arthur): "Thank you very much, convener, and good morning to the committee. I offer my congratulations to new members of the committee, and to Michelle Thomson on her appointment as deputy convener…
Chamber meeting date: 19 June 2024
Growing the Economy
The Minister for Employment and Investment (Tom Arthur): "I thank colleagues across the chamber for their contributions. There has been broad consensus this afternoon. Even in areas in which consensus might not have been immediately apparent, there has nonetheless been a great deal of alignment…
Chamber meeting date: 12 June 2024
Retail Sector (Support)
The Minister for Employment and Investment (Tom Arthur): "Our retail strategy sets out how we will work with businesses and trade unions to deliver a strong and prosperous retail sector, in line with the vision of the national strategy for economic transformation…
Chamber meeting date: 12 June 2024
Brexit (Economic Impact)
The Minister for Employment and Investment (Tom Arthur): "Scotland’s economy is continuing to suffer from the effects of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, a decision that the Scottish public were strongly against…
Votes
How Tom Arthur has voted in Parliament
Find out how Tom Arthur has voted recently.
Scottish Government Priorities: Tackling the Climate Emergency
Submitted by: Douglas Lumsden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 50 for, 68 against, 0 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, June 24, 2024
Supported by: Màiri McAllan
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 116 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Scottish Government Priorities: Tackling the Climate Emergency
Submitted by: Patrick Harvie, Glasgow, Scottish Green Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Supported by: Mark Ruskell
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 8 for, 108 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Scottish Government Priorities: Tackling the Climate Emergency
Submitted by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 58 for, 59 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 68 for, 0 against, 46 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Tom Arthur in Parliament
Find out what motions Tom Arthur has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Tom Arthur has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Arthur, Tom, Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 14 May 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what legislative consent memorandums it anticipates lodging in the Parliament in relation to the legislative programme of the UK Government announced in The Queen’s Speech on 11 May 2021."
Answered by Graeme Dey on 14 May 2021
Asked by: Arthur, Tom, Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 17 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting mental health services in the Renfrewshire South constituency."
Answered by Clare Haughey on 24 March 2021
Asked by: Arthur, Tom, Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 26 February 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what the rateable value is at which businesses receive 100% small business bonus relief on non-domestic rates, and what information it has regarding how this compares with England and Wales."
Answered by Kate Forbes on 11 March 2021
Asked by: Arthur, Tom, Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 10 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government how its refreshed national digital strategy will enable Scotland's people and economy to flourish in an increasingly digital world."
Answered by Ivan McKee on 11 March 2021
Asked by: Arthur, Tom, Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 26 February 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the amount paid in income tax paid by people earning the UK median wage in each of the last two years, and how this compares with the rest of the UK."
Answered by Kate Forbes on 8 March 2021
Asked by: Arthur, Tom, Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 8 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish details of its view regarding the UK Government’s activity in relation to devolution following Brexit."
Answered by Michael Russell on 8 March 2021
Asked by: Arthur, Tom, Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 26 February 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what the average household water bill is, and what information it has regarding how this compares with England and Wales."
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 2 March 2021
Asked by: Arthur, Tom, Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 17 February 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce health inequalities."
Taken in the Chamber on 25 February 2021
Asked by: Arthur, Tom, Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 10 February 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting rail services in the Renfrewshire South constituency."
Taken in the Chamber on 18 February 2021
Asked by: Arthur, Tom, Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 16 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that care home residents who are unable to go outside can still meet friends and family."
Taken in the Chamber on 23 December 2020