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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Michael Marra

Scottish Labour

MSP for North East Scotland (Region) 2021 - present day

About Michael Marra

Contact details

Contact online

Website: michaelmarra.net

X (previously known as Twitter): @michaeljmarra

Facebook: Michael's facebook

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 5943
Text relay calls welcome.

Committees

Michael is a member of 2 committees

Cross-party groups

Michael is a member of 6 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Beer and Pubs

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Colleges and Universities

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Culture and Communities

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Gaelic

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Life Sciences

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on the Scottish Games Ecosystem

Co-Convener

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Michael does not have any parliamentary or government roles

Party Roles

Michael has 1 party role

Party Spokesperson on Finance

Scottish Labour

Previous roles

Michael has had 5 previous roles

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

02 September 2025 - 10 December 2025

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Member

25 April 2023 - 02 May 2023

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Member

17 June 2021 - 25 April 2023

Education Children and Young People Committee

Member

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Education

Scottish Labour

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Skills

Scottish Labour

Register of interests

Michael'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 Michael Marra. The date of their initial statement was 10 June 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

Until 8 May 2021, when I resigned, I was a Deputy Director, Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee (of Perth Road, Dundee). I worked full time in this role and I received remuneration of £60,001 to £65,000 per annum. I received a final payment of £2,500.

Until 5 May 2022, I was a Councillor for Dundee City Council (of Dundee House, North Lindsay St, Dundee ). I spent approximately 18 hours per week on this role, although this varied from week to week depending on committee commitments. I received salary and use of a mobile and laptop. I estimate the total combined value of this remuneration was between £15,001 and £20,000 per annum. [Amended interest 1 June 2022]

Gifts

On 29 December 2022 I received a single cash donation of £2,000 from the Community Trade Union (465C Caledonian Road, London, N7 9GX) in support of my campaigning work. I established that it was from a permissible donor and accepted it on 29 December 2022. [Registered 9 January 2023]

On 22 November 2023 I received a single cash donation of £350 from the GMB Trade Union (Fountain House, 1 Woodside Crescent, Charing Cross, Glasgow, G3 7UJ) in support of my campaigning work for former footballers living with Brain Injuries. I established that it was from a permissible donor and accepted it on 22 November 2023. [Registered 4 December 2023]

Overseas visits

No registrable interests

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

No registrable interests

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

I was a member of Dundee, Perth, Angus and North East Fife Strategic Development Planning Authority. [Amended interest 15 June 2022]

On 4 November 2021 I attended a dinner hosted by the CBI at COP26, as a guest of Tesco PLC. This had a monetary value of £200. [Registered 8 December 2021]

In December 2021 I received one bottle of ‘Sustainable Scotch Whisky’ to mark COP26 from the Scotch Whisky Association. Although not available for sale this has a nominal monetary value of £30.00. [Registered 3 February 2022]

I was a member of Development of Social Enterprise in Dundee Development Board. [Amended interest 15 June 2022]

On 15 November 2021 I received one ticket to attend the Scotland v Denmark football game, with hospitality included, at Hampden Park as a guest of the BT Group. This had a monetary value of £250. [Registered 8 December 2021]

On 26 March 2024 I received two tickets to attend the Scotland vs Northern Ireland football game, with hospitality included, at Hampden Park as a guest of the President of the Scottish Football Association. This had a nominal monetary value of £210. [Registered 15 April 2024]

I am a member of Community the Union.

On 27 October 2022 I attended the Scottish Financial Enterprise Annual Dinner and awards, as a guest of Royal Bank of Scotland. This had a monetary value of £195.00. [Registered 28 October 2022]

I was the Secretary of Optimistic Sound (Registered Charity: SCO44851) dedicated to fighting child poverty in Dundee. [Amended interest 15 June 2022]

I was an elected Councillor at Dundee City Council. [Amended interest 1 June 2022]

I am a member of Amnesty International.

I am a member of GMB Trade Union.

Recent Activity

What was said

What Michael Marra 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.

Cost-effectiveness of Scottish Public Inquiries

Chamber meeting date: 26 February 2026

Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab): "::It would be interesting for the committee to know where the report was considered. Did the Cabinet discuss the strategic impact of public inquiries on public services, and were the recommendations considered in full by the Cabinet?"

Substance Misuse in Prisons

Chamber meeting date: 26 February 2026

Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab): "::I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests: I am a former deputy director of the Leverhulme research centre for forensic science at the University of Dundee, which submitted evidence to the inquiry and is represented in the report.I pay tribute to the work of my former colleagues. Since 2019, they have worked with the…

Substance Misuse in Prisons

Chamber meeting date: 26 February 2026

Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab): "::I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests: I am a former deputy director of the Leverhulme research centre for forensic science at the University of Dundee, which submitted evidence to the inquiry and is represented in the report.I pay tribute to the work of my former colleagues. Since 2019, they have worked with the…

Cost-effectiveness of Scottish Public Inquiries

Chamber meeting date: 26 February 2026

Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab): "::It would be interesting for the committee to know where the report was considered. Did the Cabinet discuss the strategic impact of public inquiries on public services, and were the recommendations considered in full by the Cabinet?"

Budget (Scotland) (No 5) Bill: Stage 3

Chamber meeting date: 25 February 2026

Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab): "Will the cabinet secretary give way?"

Votes

How Michael Marra has voted in Parliament

Find out how Michael Marra has voted recently.

Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2026

Motion ref. S6M-20733

Submitted by: Ivan McKee, Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 26, 2026

Result 87 for, 0 against, 25 abstained, 17 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Business Programme

Motion ref. S6M-20898.1

Submitted by: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Supported by: Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle, Russell Findlay, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Stephen Kerr, Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, Edward Mountain, Oliver Mundell, Douglas Ross, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Result 51 for, 66 against, 1 abstained, 11 did not vote

MSP voted for

Disagreed

Business Programme

Motion ref. S6M-20898

Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Result 92 for, 23 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Budget (Scotland) (No. 5) Bill

Motion ref. S6M-20860

Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Supported by: Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Result 66 for, 29 against, 24 abstained, 10 did not vote

MSP abstained

Agreed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 55 Amendment 67A

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Result 25 for, 82 against, 0 abstained, 22 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Motions

Questions

Questions Michael Marra has asked

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

Question reference: S6W-43860

Asked by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 19 February 2026

Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 25 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the proposals in the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill on the NHS Scotland workforce, including whether staff choose to leave the NHS if the bill passes into legislation."

Question reference: S6O-05529

Asked by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 11 February 2026

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on any potential impact of prolonged, non-permanent senior leadership within the Police Scotland Tayside Division on operational effectiveness, workforce morale and public confidence in local policing."

Question reference: S6W-43228

Asked by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 21 January 2026

Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 4 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost to the Scottish Government was to refer the decision to close St Pius X Primary School and Nursery in Dundee to the School Closure Review Panel."

Question reference: S6W-43350

Asked by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 27 January 2026

Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 3 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Glasgow City Council and (b) Historic Environment Scotland in relation to supporting the preservation of the category A-listed Egyptian Halls."

Question reference: S6W-43096

Asked by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 20 January 2026

Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 3 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it routinely retains draft versions of budget spreadsheets and working documents that may change post-publication, and, if so, whether it will commit to making earlier versions available to MSPs where material changes are made in new versions."

Question reference: S6W-43187

Asked by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 20 January 2026

Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 3 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with NHS Tayside regarding mental health services, in particular the proposed move of inpatient learning disability services from Strathmartine Centre in Dundee to Murray Royal Hospital in Perth, in light of the comment by the First Minister on 20 November 2025 in…

Question reference: S6W-43103

Asked by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 15 January 2026

Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 28 January 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that officials amended the Screen Scotland funding lines in the Budget Level 4 workbook without ministerial approval, what information it has regarding whether officials have made other unauthorised amendments to the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27."

Question reference: S6W-43092

Asked by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 20 January 2026

Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 27 January 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the point of order by Stephen Kerr MSP in the Chamber on 14 January 2026, whether an earlier published version of its draft Budget 2026-27 included a specific allocation of £500,000 for film houses in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen and, if so, (a) for what reason, (b) when and (c) by whom the…

Question reference: S6W-43095

Asked by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 20 January 2026

Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 27 January 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) consultation it held with and (b) feedback it received from film houses, independent cinemas and representative bodies regarding any proposed budget allocations for film houses in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, in light of reports that an earlier published version of its draft Budget 2026-27 included an…

Question reference: S6W-41981

Asked by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 18 November 2025

Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 4 December 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the energy costs incurred by (a) it and (b) its public bodies in each of the past five years."