Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Lothian (Region) 2016 - present day
Email: [email protected]
X (previously known as Twitter): @jeremyrbalfour
Facebook: Jeremy's facebook
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5961
Text relay calls welcome.
Member
Member
Member
Convener
Convener
Member
Convener
Member
Member
Member
Convener
Member
Deputy Convener
Deputy Convener
Member
Member
Co-Convener
Member
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
21 May 2021 - 08 October 2024
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
28 June 2023 - 08 October 2024
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
28 June 2023 - 08 October 2024
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
25 May 2022 - 21 March 2024
Member
21 May 2021 - 28 June 2023
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
08 September 2021 - 25 May 2022
Substitute Member
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
20 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Substitute Member
29 June 2017 - 04 May 2021
Member
25 February 2020 - 20 August 2020
Member
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
10 September 2019 - 25 February 2020
Member
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
29 September 2016 - 29 June 2017
Member
26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
08 June 2016 - 29 September 2016
Member
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.
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
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 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).
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]
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
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: 15 May 2025
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "On a point of order, Presiding Officer. When I asked my question, I should have said that I am in receipt of adult disability payment. I apologise for not declaring that."
Chamber meeting date: 15 May 2025
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "The first principle underlying the adult disability payment is to help people to get employment and stay in it; it was never intended to be an income replacement benefit…
Chamber meeting date: 14 May 2025
Jeremy Balfour: "A young DJ recently told BBC Scotland that he is concerned that the rising cost of going to gigs will stop people being energised by music and that priority is being given to artists from more affluent backgrounds…
Chamber meeting date: 13 May 2025
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "That is not the case for disabled people. Disabled people do not have a free choice to make. Because of their disability, those choices are often limited by society…
Chamber meeting date: 8 May 2025
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "My question follows on from the previous question. I have been contacted by numerous charities in my region that will have to cease providing vital preventative care for individuals in the Lothians due to the IJB cuts…
Find out how Jeremy Balfour has voted recently.
Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Supported by: Jamie Hepburn
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, May 15, 2025
Result 70 for, 45 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Neil Bibby, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Supported by: Foysol Choudhury
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, May 15, 2025
Result 15 for, 96 against, 3 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, May 15, 2025
Result 27 for, 87 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Douglas Lumsden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, May 12, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Result 61 for, 55 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Supported by: Alasdair Allan
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Result 61 for, 56 against, 0 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Find out what motions Jeremy Balfour has submitted recently.
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: 7 May 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have registered under the Scottish Kept Bird Register, and whether it will provide a breakdown of the number of (a) poultry, (b) birds of prey and (c) other captive birds."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 12 May 2025
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 7 May 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to make the Scottish Kept Birds Register publicly searchable, and, if not, for what reason."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 12 May 2025
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 8 May 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the number of Child Winter Heating Payments reportedly increased by 115% during the winter of 2024-25, compared with 2020-21."
Answer expected on 22 May 2025
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 7 May 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with the music sector to enable up-and-coming artists to hold concerts in Scotland."
Taken in the Chamber on 14 May 2025
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 20 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of concerns raised by Young Lives vs Cancer regarding the three-month qualifying period for disability benefits for children and young people diagnosed with cancer, what consideration it has given to removing this, in light of any immediate additional costs that they might face following diagnosis."
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 25 April 2025
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 1 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to require Caledonian Sleeper to adapt its carriages so that all of them are capable of having a portable ramp fitted for the safe emergency egress of customers with mobility impairments, and, if it plans to make this a requirement, by when."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 22 April 2025
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 1 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether Caledonian Sleeper has shared with it the timeframe for replacing the fold-out tables in individual berths to enable customers to consume hot drinks without the current reported risk to their health or safety."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 22 April 2025
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 16 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it can take to reduce the number of teachers on temporary contracts."
Taken in the Chamber on 24 April 2025
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 20 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review and aim to simplify the disability benefit application process for children and young people diagnosed with cancer, including reducing any delays caused where medical evidence is required to determine eligibility."
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 31 March 2025
Asked by: Balfour, Jeremy, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 20 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of concerns raised by Young Lives vs Cancer that, currently, there is an average six-month waiting time between a child or young person's cancer diagnosis and their receiving their first disability benefit payment, what action it can take to reduce this."
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 31 March 2025
See all of Jeremy Balfour's questions submitted in Parliament