Scottish National Party
MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch (Constituency) 2016 - present day
Email: [email protected]
X (previously known as Twitter): @_kateforbes
Facebook: Kate's facebook
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
12 High Street
Dingwall
IV15 9RU
Phone: 01349 863 888
Text relay calls welcome.
Scottish Government
Find out more about the Cabinet and Ministers at the Scottish Government website.
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
29 June 2023 - 10 May 2024
Member
29 June 2023 - 10 May 2024
Member
19 May 2021 - 28 March 2023
Scottish Government
18 February 2020 - 19 May 2021
Scottish Government
28 June 2018 - 18 February 2020
Scottish Government
14 June 2016 - 28 June 2018
Scottish Government
19 April 2018 - 28 June 2018
Member
29 September 2016 - 28 June 2018
Substitute Member
19 April 2018 - 28 June 2018
Member
08 June 2016 - 19 April 2018
Member
07 November 2017 - 19 April 2018
Member
07 September 2016 - 29 September 2016
Substitute Member
08 June 2016 - 06 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 Kate Forbes. The date of their initial statement was 07 June 2021.
No registrable interests
On 24 February 2024 I and my husband attended the Scotland vs England Calcutta Cup match as guests of Heineken UK Ltd (a beverage producer, of 3 Broadway Pk, S Gyle Broadway, Edinburgh EH12 9JZ). The total cost of the tickets was £400. [Registered 14 March 2024]
On 24 February 2018 I attended the Scotland v England match at Murrayfield as a guest of Liberty Steel (a steel manufacturer of Dalzell Works, Park Street, Motherwell, ML1 1PU). The value of this was approximately £600.
On 9 October 2023 I gave a series of lectures to students at Wheaton College, Illinois, USA on the subjects of women in politics, the Scottish and British electoral systems and the current state of Scottish and British politics. I arrived on 6 October 2023 and departed on 10 October 2023. The College (of 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, Illinois) paid the approximate costs of £4000 for travel, accommodation and subsistence for me, my husband and my daughter. I do not consider that this visit meets the political activities test. [Registered 6 November 2023]
From 9 to 18 February 2018 I was part of a Tearfund humanitarian delegation travelling to Nepal to learn how projects in relation to child trafficking, earthquake relief and flood prevention 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).
On 21 to 24 October 2019 I travelled to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA to give several lectures at the University of the North Carolina. The costs of the visit were approximately £1,200 and were met by Scottish Heritage USA (an organisation that recognises and enhances the original bonds of ancestral and national character among the peoples of Scotland and North America of 315 North Page Road, Building 2, Suite 10, Pinehurst, NC 28370).
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
On 4 June 2021, I and my partner were guests on board the MV Seaflower as part of a visit to the Isle of Rona in my constituency at the invitation of the owner’s uncle, Mr Campbell Grant. This visit was an ordinary part of the company’s daily tours. The market price per person for travel and lunch is £120, so the full value of the visit was £240. [Registered 30 June 2021]
On 21 November 2021 I attended the Scotland v Japan match at Murrayfield, as a guest of Sir Peter Vardy, with my husband and step-daughter. The value of each ticket was approximately £48, creating a total value of £144. [Registered 11 December 2021]
From 9 to 13 November 2023 I attended a conference in Liverpool as a delegate to develop and grow professional transatlantic relationships with a focus on tackling prejudice and hate. The costs, which were met by British-American Project (a not for profit leadership network, of British-American Project UK, UK Correspondence PO Box 3682, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1PY) and include accommodation and hospitality, are estimated at a value of £1700. I do not consider that this visit meets the prejudice test or the political activities test. [Registered 29 November 2023]
Two of my close family members are joint shareholders in a business which runs a bed and breakfast. I do not participate in or receive an income from the business. [Registered 5 June 2024]
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: 21 May 2025
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes): "A robust and independent analysis of the economic contribution of the Grangemouth refinery was conducted by PwC, and the findings of that assessment were published in August 2024…
Chamber meeting date: 21 May 2025
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes): "The UK Government immigration white paper completely fails to account for Scotland’s distinct demographic or economic needs. Scotland’s public services, communities and economy all benefit from inward migration…
Chamber meeting date: 21 May 2025
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes): "We expect the United Kingdom immigration white paper to have a damaging effect on Scotland’s economy, because it fails to account for Scotland’s distinct demographic or labour market needs…
Chamber meeting date: 21 May 2025
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes): "The Scottish child abuse inquiry is investigating abuse experienced by children who were in care in Scotland between 1930 and 2014. The inquiry has reviewed a wide range of care settings and, to date, has completed eight phases of investigation…
Chamber meeting date: 14 May 2025
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes): "Ferguson Marine has advised that the revised delivery date and the cost increase stem from historic failures in project planning, poor sequencing of work and a loss of focus during the delivery of the MV Glen Sannox…
Find out how Kate Forbes has voted recently.
Submitted by: Mairi Gougeon, Angus North and Mearns, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, May 19, 2025
Supported by: Jim Fairlie
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Result 63 for, 40 against, 7 abstained, 18 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Supported by: Tim Eagle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Result 31 for, 78 against, 0 abstained, 19 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Result 46 for, 64 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Result 28 for, 87 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Result 48 for, 67 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Find out what motions Kate Forbes has submitted recently.
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 8 May 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 1 May 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 24 April 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 20 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how it has allocated the funding raised through ScotWind option fees in the 2024-25 Scottish Budget."
Taken in the Chamber on 27 March 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 14 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an update on its plans to increase access to childcare in the creche beyond three hours per day."
Taken in the Chamber on 21 March 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 13 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the voices of Highland communities are appropriately considered by the Energy Consents Unit when assessing applications from developers."
Taken in the Chamber on 21 March 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 6 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Highland about progressing planning and design work for the new Belford Hospital in Fort William."
Taken in the Chamber on 13 March 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 21 February 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 30 January 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its Programme for Government commitment to pilot a new aquaculture consenting process to help deliver a more streamlined regime across Scotland."
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 31 January 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 12 January 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22531 by Paul McLennan on 13 November 2023, by what date in early 2024 it will provide an implementation update on short-term let licensing."
Answered by Paul McLennan on 23 January 2024