Jeremy Balfour
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Lothian (Region) 2016 - present day
About Jeremy Balfour
Contact details
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5961
Text relay calls welcome.
Committees
Jeremy is a member of 2 committees
Cross-party groups
Jeremy is a member of 22 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Autism
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Aviation
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Changing Places Toilets
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Children and Young People
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Disability
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Epilepsy
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Freedom of Religion or Belief
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Funerals and Bereavement
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Future of Football in Scotland
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Human Trafficking
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Industrial Communities
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Maritime and Shipbuilding
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Older People, Age and Ageing
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Rugby Development in Scotland
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scottish Showmen's Guild
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Shared Parenting
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Social Work
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Sport
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Taiwan
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Visual Impairment
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Volunteering
Co-Convener
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Jeremy has 1 parliamentary and government role
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Branch Executive
Member
Party Roles
Jeremy has 3 party roles
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Equalities
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Housing
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Social Security
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Previous roles
Jeremy has had 15 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
21 May 2021 - 28 June 2023
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Local Government
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
08 September 2021 - 25 May 2022
Equalities Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Substitute Member
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Equalities
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Older People
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
29 June 2017 - 04 May 2021
Social Security Committee
Member
20 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Local Government and Communities Committee
Substitute Member
25 February 2020 - 20 August 2020
Local Government and Communities Committee
Member
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Housing
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Communities
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Welfare
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
10 September 2019 - 25 February 2020
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Member
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Welfare
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
29 September 2016 - 29 June 2017
Equalities and Human Rights Committee
Member
26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Children
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
08 June 2016 - 29 September 2016
Equal Opportunities Committee
Member
Register of interests
Jeremy'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 Jeremy Balfour. The date of their initial statement was 01 June 2021.
Remuneration and related undertaking
No registrable interests
Gifts
No registrable interests
Overseas visits
From 21 to 23 August 2019 I travelled to Stockholm on a fact finding visit. The costs of the visit, for flights, were £223.38 and were met by UK Feminista (a charitable organisation which promotes equality between men and women of Omnibus Business Centre, North Road, London, N7 9DP).
From 20 to 30 August 2018 I was part of a Tearfund delegation travelling to Rwanda to learn how projects in relation to genocide reconciliation and new business projects are transforming lives. The costs of the visit amounted to £1,700 and were met by Tearfund Scotland (a Christian charity of 29 Canal St, Glasgow G4 0AD).
From 4 July to 8 July 2022 I visited Munich and Berlin, Germany, as part of a cross-Party delegation from the Scottish Parliament, meeting Parliamentarians, public officials and business representatives, as a guest of the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The costs of the visit, including travel, accommodation, meals and translation services amounted to £1460 and were paid by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (a political research foundation of Munich, Germany). [Registered 1 August 2022]
From 9 t o 13 October 2017, I participated in a cross-party visit to the Republic of China (Taiwan), at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). The trip was arranged by the Taipei Representative Office (Edinburgh Office) in the UK, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) (of 1 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7PE). I met a number of Government departments, as well as trade and cultural organisations. The cost of the visit was £3,900 for return flights, and the hotel and ancillary expenses was £2,600. All costs were met by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan).
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
No registrable interests
Recent Activity
What was said
What Jeremy Balfour 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: 30 November 2023
Pension Age Disability Payment
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "Without a car, many older and disabled people struggle with transportation, especially in rural areas, as local bus services are infrequent and not suitable for wheelchair users…
Social Justice and Social Security Committee meeting date: 30 November 2023
Delivering Scottish Social Security
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "Good morning, Dr Witcher. I am sorry that I am not with you in person, but thank you for the evidence that you have given so far. You were around during the passage of the Social Security (Scotland) Bill…
Chamber meeting date: 16 November 2023
Child Disability Payment (Processing Times)
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "Today it has been reported that processing times for child disability payment applications have risen to more than 100 days. That represents just the latest failure of Social Security Scotland to deliver for people who are in need…
Chamber meeting date: 16 November 2023
Probationer Teachers (Preference Waiver Scheme)
3. Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of probationer teachers choosing the preference waiver scheme. (S6O-02730)"
Social Justice and Social Security Committee meeting date: 16 November 2023
Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council Bill: Stage 1
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "Good morning to the panel and thank you for coming along today. I have a question for both of you, and I will start with Professor Macdonald, if that is okay…
Votes
How Jeremy Balfour has voted in Parliament
Find out how Jeremy Balfour has voted recently.
Championing Disability Equality and Human Rights
Submitted by: Emma Roddick, Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 4, 2023
Supported by: Patrick Harvie, Paul McLennan, Shirley-Anne Somerville
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Result 68 for, 50 against, 0 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Championing Disability Equality and Human Rights
Submitted by: Paul O'Kane, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, December 4, 2023
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Result 50 for, 64 against, 3 abstained, 12 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Championing Disability Equality and Human Rights
Submitted by: Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 4, 2023
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Result 52 for, 65 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Supported by: Mairi Gougeon
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, November 30, 2023
Result 82 for, 32 against, 0 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, November 23, 2023
Result 19 for, 90 against, 0 abstained, 20 did not vote
MSP not voted
Vote Defeated
Motions
Motions made by Jeremy Balfour in Parliament
Find out what motions Jeremy Balfour has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Jeremy Balfour has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 9 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19380 by Jenni Minto on 11 July 2023, what steps it is taking to review the conclusion of the National Services Division's National Specialist Services Committee assessment in 2018, which concluded there was insufficient evidence to support a formal national service at that time,…
Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 November 2023
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 20 October 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government how it was decided who would be represented on task group that is considering the issue of a right to breaks for carers."
Answered by Maree Todd on 15 November 2023
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 20 October 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government when the task group that is considering the issue of a right to breaks for carers will report back its recommendations, and how it will do so."
Answered by Maree Todd on 13 November 2023
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 20 October 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government who is on the task group that is considering the issue of a right to breaks for carers, and what organisations they represent."
Answered by Maree Todd on 13 November 2023
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 12 October 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates that payments for the Winter Heating Payment for 2023-24 will be made."
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 November 2023
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 8 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of probationer teachers choosing the preference waiver scheme."
Taken in the Chamber on 16 November 2023
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 1 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to support farmers to protect crops, including from future flood-related damage."
Taken in the Chamber on 8 November 2023
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 6 September 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment is undertaken when a decision on a third sector grant application has not been taken, or payments are not made, by the beginning of the relevant financial year."
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 19 September 2023
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 6 September 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it provides guidance to officials and civil servants whose duties include the processing of applications for grants and the allocation of grants to third sector organisations, and, if so, what (a) formal and (b) informal guidance has been provided in the last five years, and whether any new or updated guidance…
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 19 September 2023
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 6 September 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government how policy commitments such as Fair Work are embedded into the grant-making processes for third sector organisations."
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 19 September 2023
See all of Jeremy Balfour's questions submitted in Parliament