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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Kate Forbes

Scottish National Party

MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch (Constituency) 2016 - present day

About Kate Forbes

Contact details

Contact online

X (previously known as Twitter): @_kateforbes

Facebook: Kate's facebook

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Contact at local office

12 High Street
Dingwall
IV15 9RU

Phone: 01349 863 888
Text relay calls welcome.

Committees

Kate is not a member of any committees

Cross-party groups

Kate is not a member of any cross-party groups

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Kate has 1 parliamentary and government role

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic

Scottish Government

Party Roles

Kate does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Kate has had 13 previous roles

Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.

29 June 2023 - 10 May 2024

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Member

29 June 2023 - 10 May 2024

Constitution Europe External Affairs and Culture Committee

Member

19 May 2021 - 28 March 2023

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy

Scottish Government

18 February 2020 - 19 May 2021

Cabinet Secretary for Finance

Scottish Government

28 June 2018 - 18 February 2020

Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy

Scottish Government

14 June 2016 - 28 June 2018

Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution

Scottish Government

19 April 2018 - 28 June 2018

Health and Sport Committee

Member

29 September 2016 - 28 June 2018

Culture Tourism Europe and External Relations Committee

Substitute Member

19 April 2018 - 28 June 2018

Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

Member

08 June 2016 - 19 April 2018

Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee

Member

07 November 2017 - 19 April 2018

Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Member

07 September 2016 - 29 September 2016

European and External Relations Committee

Substitute Member

08 June 2016 - 06 September 2016

Finance Committee

Member

Register of interests

Kate'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 Kate Forbes. The date of their initial statement was 07 June 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

No registrable interests

Gifts

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.

Overseas visits

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 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]

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).

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

No registrable interests

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

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]

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]

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]

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]

Recent Activity

What was said

What Kate Forbes 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.

Finance and Public Administration Committee meeting date: 8 October 2024

Proposed National Outcomes

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes): "I am delighted to be with you on quite a stormy day in Shetland—here is hoping that I get home at some point this week. It is very good of you to allow me to join in this flexible way; it is a bit of déjà vu to Covid…

Chamber meeting date: 3 October 2024

Levelling Up Funding

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes): "I raised that very issue with the Deputy Prime Minister when I met her last Friday. That was on top of our regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a range of issues, including the future of levelling up and other funds."

Chamber meeting date: 3 October 2024

Hospitality Industry (Meetings)

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes): "The straight answer is less than two hours ago, when I met the Scottish Hospitality Group to discuss the challenges and opportunities that the industry faces…

Chamber meeting date: 25 September 2024

Green Industrial Strategy

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes): "The green industrial strategy creates certainty for businesses by spelling out where we believe the greatest opportunities lie and where we will focus our attention and resources…

Chamber meeting date: 25 September 2024

Ferguson Marine (Governance Arrangements)

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes): "The strategic commercial assets division is responsible for governance arrangements around the delivery of Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa…

Votes

How Kate Forbes has voted in Parliament

Find out how Kate Forbes has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-14823

Free Bus Travel for Asylum Seekers

Submitted by: Maggie Chapman, North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party. Date lodged: Monday, October 7, 2024

Supported by: Ariane Burgess, Ross Greer, Patrick Harvie, Gillian Mackay, Mark Ruskell, Lorna Slater, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Result 68 for, 27 against, 20 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-14825

Budget Priorities 2025-26

Submitted by: Ross Greer, West Scotland, Scottish Green Party. Date lodged: Monday, October 7, 2024

Supported by: Ariane Burgess, Maggie Chapman, Patrick Harvie, Gillian Mackay, Mark Ruskell, Lorna Slater
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Result 64 for, 52 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-14825.3

Budget Priorities 2025-26

Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Supported by: Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Result 65 for, 51 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-14823.3

Free Bus Travel for Asylum Seekers

Submitted by: Fiona Hyslop, Linlithgow, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Supported by: Jim Fairlie
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Result 68 for, 48 against, 1 abstained, 12 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-14823.2

Free Bus Travel for Asylum Seekers

Submitted by: Sue Webber, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Result 28 for, 88 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motions

Questions

Questions Kate Forbes has asked

These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.

Question ref. S6O-03449

Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 8 May 2024

Question ref. S6O-03393

Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 1 May 2024

Question ref. S6O-03372

Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 24 April 2024

Question ref. S6O-03269

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

Question ref. S6O-03253

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

Question ref. S6O-03246

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

Question ref. S6O-03190

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

Question ref. S6O-03120

Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 21 February 2024

Question ref. S6W-24999

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

Question ref. S6W-24472

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

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