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
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
Jeremy is a member of 19 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Epilepsy
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Poverty
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Social Work
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Sport
Deputy Convener
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Jeremy does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Jeremy has 2 party roles
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Local Government
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Social Security
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Previous roles
Jeremy has had 6 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
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
10 September 2019 - 25 February 2020
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Member
29 September 2016 - 29 June 2017
Equalities and Human Rights Committee
Member
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 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.
Social Justice and Social Security Committee meeting date: 20 January 2022
Scottish Child Payment Regulations 2020 and the Disability Assistance for Children and Young People (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2022 [Draft]
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "Good morning, minister, to you and your team. I will ask more—I suspect that you might want to write to us, rather than answer us today—about the medical reports that you will get from consultants, GPs and other medical professionals…
Chamber meeting date: 19 January 2022
Covid-19 (Welfare Support for People in Employment)
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "One of the few positives to come out of the pandemic is that flexible working from home has become more mainstream. It suits many disabled people…
Chamber meeting date: 19 January 2022
Fire Alarm Standards
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "I do not know where the cabinet secretary’s officials shop, but I have just checked and every B&Q in Edinburgh has no availability until after the relevant date. Perhaps the cabinet secretary could ask officials where they shop…
Chamber meeting date: 13 January 2022
Farming Charities (Support)
4. Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to farming charities. (S6O-00611)"
Social Justice and Social Security Committee meeting date: 13 January 2022
Budget Scrutiny 2022-23
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "Good morning, cabinet secretary, and happy new year. I have two or three questions on the adult disciplinary payment…
Votes
How Jeremy Balfour has voted in Parliament
Find out how Jeremy Balfour has voted recently.
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: George Adam, Paisley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Result 87 for, 33 against, 0 abstained, 9 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Education Failures and Guaranteeing the 2022 Exam Diet
Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Supported by: Clare Haughey, Jamie Hepburn
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Result 67 for, 54 against, 0 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: George Adam, Paisley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Result 68 for, 53 against, 0 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Education Failures and Guaranteeing the 2022 Exam Diet
Submitted by: Meghan Gallacher, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, January 17, 2022
Supported by: Sharon Dowey
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Result 67 for, 53 against, 1 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Protecting Local Government Funding in Scotland
Submitted by: Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, January 17, 2022
Supported by: Sharon Dowey
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Result 65 for, 56 against, 0 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Jeremy Balfour in Parliament
Find out what motions Jeremy Balfour has submitted recently.
Written questions
Written questions Jeremy Balfour has submitted in Parliament
These are the questions that this MSP has asked the Scottish Government about its work. It also includes any answer to these questions.
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 21 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported discussions involving other devolved administrations regarding the Down Syndrome Bill, introduced in the UK Parliament, what its position is on whether the provisions in the bill should be applied in Scotland; what discussions it (a) has had and (b) plans to have on this matter, and with whom,…
Answered by: Kevin Stewart on 14 January 2022
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 21 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government whether representatives from (a) Scottish Trans Alliance, (b) Stonewall Scotland and (c) any other transgender advocacy group are involved in allocation decisions concerning transgender prisoners, and, if so, what the nature of that involvement is."
Answered by: Keith Brown on 12 January 2022
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 23 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm if personal data, including ethnicity, which is taken when a COVID-19 vaccine is administered, is retained securely and is only used by NHS Scotland for the purpose for which it was obtained."
Answered by: Humza Yousaf on 5 January 2022
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on Universal Credit (UC) Scottish choices split payments, where UC payments can be split between members of a couple in a household, in order to ensure that everyone has access to an independent income based on their individual circumstances, and what its position is on whether this will…
Answered by: Ben Macpherson on 22 December 2021
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 21 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a detailed timeline for the review of the Scottish Prison Service Gender Identity and Gender Reassignment Policy, including the expected timing of internal and external stakeholder consultation, and at what point the review is currently."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 20 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what considerations it has given to setting up a support fund for victims of domestic abuse that would deliver recurring payments in the short term to support someone who is leaving an abusive partner."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what the remit is of the proposed review of the Scottish Welfare Fund, and what the timescale is for (a) the review to be completed and (b) its findings to be published."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government when VoiceAbility will begin providing advocacy services in relation to the devolved social security benefits system, and when the roll-out of services will be fully operational."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 25 November 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on its Single Building Assessment programme, and when it anticipates the programme will be concluded."
Answered by: Shona Robison on 10 December 2021
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 9 November 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will confirm the date for the removal of the requirement for EWS1 forms, and their replacement with Scottish Government-funded Single Building Assessments."
Answered by: Shona Robison on 23 November 2021
See all of Jeremy Balfour's written questions submitted in Parliament