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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Jeremy Balfour

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

MSP for Lothian (Region) 2016 - present day

About Jeremy Balfour

Contact details

Contact online

Twitter: @jeremyrbalfour

Facebook: Jeremy's facebook

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 5961
Text relay calls welcome.

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.

Motion ref. S6M-11537

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

Motion ref. S6M-11537.2

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

Motion ref. S6M-11537.1

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

Motion ref. S6M-11496

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

Motion ref. S6M-11381

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

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.

Question ref. S6W-22839

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

Question ref. S6W-22344

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

Question ref. S6W-22343

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

Question ref. S6W-22342

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

Question ref. S6W-22177

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

Question ref. S6O-02730

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

Question ref. S6O-02684

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

Question ref. S6W-20975

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

Question ref. S6W-20971

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

Question ref. S6W-20976

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

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