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About Cross-party groups

Cross-party groups (CPGs) are groups of MSPs and other people who are interested in a subject or issue. They must meet at least twice a year (not on the same day) and one of the meetings must be an AGM.  At least 2 MSPs who are members of the CPG must attend meetings.

CPGs are not formal Parliament business. However they must follow the rules about CPGs in the Code of Conduct for MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.

CPGs cannot raise issues in Parliament (for example by having a debate) or to the Scottish Government.

There is no limit to the number of CPGs that can be registered however an MSP can only be a member of up to 10 CPGs and not hold an office-bearer position on more than 3.

Cross-party groups for Session 7 can start to form after the first meeting of the new Parliament. Note that the rules for cross-party groups have changed. There is now a limit on how many CPGs an MSP can be a member of and an office-holder. Please read. Section 6 of the Code of Conduct or further information.

Support for CPGs

CPGs do not get financial or staffing support from the Parliament, other than to help them meet in Parliament. The Parliament does not cover the costs of translation services, catering, travel or equipment.

CPGs can charge members a subscription to cover costs.

Groups can also receive money from organisations to cover costs and these are called financial benefits. Any benefit that exceeds £500, from a single source in a year, must be declared on the registration and annual return forms.

Rules for CPGs

The rules for Session 7 CPGs are in Section 6 of the Code of Conduct for MSPs. These explain how CPGs must be set up and how they work. A number of new requirements have been introduced for Session 7 so please ensure you read the Code of Conduct before applying to register a CPG.

CPGs can have their own ways of working but they must be in line with the rules.

The rules say all CPGs must:

  • email the CPG mailbox ([email protected]) at least 10 days before a meeting so the CPG webpage is updated.

  • hold at least two formal meetings per year (not on the same day), and one of these must be the AGM.

  • have at least 2 MSPs, who are members of the Group, attend the CPG for it to be a formal meeting.
  • within 30 days of each meeting, provide minutes which should include a list of all attendees and a brief description of what was discussed. The minutes must be sent by the Convener. Verbatim minutes will be returned.
  • email any membership changes to the CPG mailbox within 30 days (the email must be sent by the CPG convener).
  • hold an annual general meeting (AGM) 11-13 months after the first meeting and then every 11-13 months.
  • have no more than three named contacts - The Convener, the Secretariat and one other.

MSPs on CPGs

CPGs must have at least 5 MSP members and a certain number of MSPs from different parties.

To register as a CPG a group needs at least 1 MSP from the parties on the Bureau. Parties with 5 or more MSPs are represented on the Parliamentary Bureau.

Complaints/regulation of CPGs

The convener of the CPG is responsible for making sure the group follows the Member’s Code of Conduct.

The Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee (SPPA Committee) looks at whether CPGs are complying with the Code. They also consider any complaints that the CPG is not complying with the code. Not following the Code could lead to:

  • a CPG's recognition being withdrawn
  • sanctions being imposed on individual MSPs

How to make a complaint

Complaints about CPGs are made to the SPPA Committee.

The process for dealing with complaints about CPGs is set out in Section 6 of the Code of Conduct for MSPs.

All complaints about CPGs should be sent to the SPPA clerks in the first instance:

You can email complaints to [email protected]

Alternatively, you can write to us at the address below:

Standards Clerks
Room T3.40
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Forming a new CPG

The rules for forming a new CPG are in Section 6 of the MSP Code of Conduct.

CPGs are formed and led by MSPs. They must have at least 5 MSP members and a certain number of MSPs from different parties on them and may also have members who are not MSPs. The remit for the new CPG should:

  • be about something in the public interest
  • not overlap with another CPG’s remit

To register as a CPG a group needs at least 5 MSP members including at least one MSP from each of the parties or groups represented on the Parliamentary Bureau. The party representation requirement may be modified or waived by the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee (the Committee) in certain circumstances.

The new CPG must have an initial meeting and complete a registration form.

Initial meeting

When a new CPG has the required number of MSPs, it should hold an initial meeting. An email, with the date and time of the meeting, must be sent to standards clerks ([email protected]) at least 10 days before the meeting and a minute of the meeting must be taken. At the meeting the CPG should:

  • elect at least 2 MSP office-bearers – and 1 of these must be the convener
  • confirm the name and purpose of the CPG
  • confirm membership

Registration form

Within 30 days of the initial meeting, the convener of the proposed CPG must email a completed registration form to the SPPA clerks. Registration forms can be requested by emailing [email protected]. The CPG cannot formally meet again until the SPPA Committee has recognised it as a CPG.

The registration form is looked at by the SPPA Committee. It will invite the convener of the proposed CPG to a committee meeting to discuss the group. The SPPA Committee will then decide whether to approve the CPG.

Only approved groups can be called a “Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament”.

Re-establishing a CPG after an election

After a Scottish Parliament election, in certain circumstances a previous CPG can re-register again. This must be done within 120 days of the first meeting of Parliament after the election.

A CPG which wants to re-register must hold an initial meeting and elect office-bearers and must provide the Standards Clerks with 10 calendar days notice of this meeting. The convener must then submit a registration form to the SPPA clerks.

The name and purpose of the CPG must be the same as in the previous session.

Joining a CPG

An MSP may be a member of no more than 10 CPGs at any one time. An MSP may be an office bearer in no more than 3 of the CPGs of which they are a member.

CPGs can also have members who are not MSPs. These members can be individuals or organisations. If someone joins the CPG as part of a specific organisation, the organisation (not the person) is the member of the CPG.

If you want to join a CPG, please contact the group directly. Any decisions about membership, including whether to limit the number of non-MSP members, can be decided by the CPG.