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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Michael Matheson

Scottish National Party

MSP for Falkirk West (Constituency) 2007 - present day

Former MSP for Central Scotland (Region) 1999 - 2007

About Michael Matheson

Contact details

Contact online

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

Phone: 01324 629271
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

Suite 5, Brightstone Spaces
Williamson Street
Falkirk
FK1 1PR

Phone: 01324 629271
Text relay calls welcome.

Committees

Michael is a member of 2 committees

Cross-party groups

Michael is not a member of any cross-party groups

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Michael does not have any parliamentary or government roles

Party Roles

Michael does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Michael has had 30 previous roles

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

11 September 2024 - 17 September 2024

Net Zero Energy and Transport Committee

Member

29 March 2023 - 08 February 2024

Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care

Scottish Government

19 May 2021 - 29 March 2023

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport

Scottish Government

26 June 2018 - 19 May 2021

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity

Scottish Government

18 May 2016 - 26 June 2018

Cabinet Secretary for Justice

Scottish Government

25 November 2014 - 18 May 2016

Cabinet Secretary for Justice

Scottish Government

25 May 2011 - 25 November 2014

Minister for Public Health

Scottish Government

23 December 2010 - 22 March 2011

Scotland Bill Committee

Substitute Member

13 June 2007 - 22 March 2011

Health and Sport Committee

Member

11 February 2010 - 02 December 2010

End of Life Assistance Scotland Bill Committee

Member

03 March 2009 - 01 July 2010

European and External Relations Committee

Deputy Convener

26 February 2009 - 03 March 2009

European and External Relations Committee

Member

01 November 2006 - 02 April 2007

Justice 2 Committee

Member

01 March 2006 - 02 April 2007

Glasgow Airport Rail Link Bill Committee

Member

23 September 2004 - 31 October 2006

Enterprise and Culture Committee

Member

13 September 2004 - 11 September 2006

Party Spokesperson on Culture

Scottish National Party

13 September 2004 - 11 September 2006

Party Spokesperson on Sport

Scottish National Party

30 September 2004 - 21 February 2006

Education Committee

Substitute Member

16 June 2004 - 30 September 2004

Edinburgh Tram Line One Bill Committee

Member

03 September 2003 - 29 September 2004

Justice 2 Committee

Substitute Member

04 June 2003 - 21 September 2004

Justice 1 Committee

Member

01 May 2003 - 13 September 2004

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Rural Development

Scottish National Party

01 May 2003 - 13 September 2004

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Justice

Scottish National Party

09 October 2001 - 31 March 2003

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Rural Development

Scottish National Party

13 January 2000 - 31 March 2003

Party Spokesperson on Equal Opportunities

Scottish National Party

13 July 1999 - 31 March 2003

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Justice

Scottish National Party

08 January 2001 - 31 March 2003

Justice 1 Committee

Member

16 May 2002 - 31 March 2003

Equal Opportunities Committee

Substitute Member

13 January 2000 - 07 January 2001

Justice and Home Affairs Committee

Member

17 June 1999 - 13 January 2000

Equal Opportunities Committee

Member

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 Matheson. The date of their initial statement was 24 May 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

No registrable interests

Gifts

No registrable interests

Overseas visits

No registrable interests

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

I own, jointly with my wife, a house in the Highland Council local authority area, with a market value of between £250,001 and £300,000. The property generates an income of between £15,001 to £20,000 per annum. [Amended interest 29 May 2024, Amended interest 5 August 2024]

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

I have an Honorary Fellowship from the Chartered Institute of Highways & Transportation. [Registered 5 August 2024]

I am an Ambassador for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation. [Registered 17 September 2024]

On 12 August 2023 I and my wife attended a football game as guests of the board of Queen’s Park Football Club (of Lesser Hampden Park, Letherby Drive, Glasgow G42 9BA). I was invited on an individual basis. The value of the tickets was approximately £200. [Registered 30 November 2023]

Recent Activity

What was said

What Michael Matheson 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: 9 October 2025

Economy (International Investment)

6. Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): "To ask the First Minister, following Scotland’s global investment summit 2025, whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government’s work to attract international investment into Scotland’s economy. (S6F-04377)"

Chamber meeting date: 8 October 2025

Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (Scottish Carbon Budgets) Amendment Regulations 2025

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): "It is worth reflecting on why we are in this position. Last year, the Parliament collectively came together and agreed that we should move to a carbon budgeting system such as that used in other jurisdictions…

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting date: 30 September 2025

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): "Good morning. I want to turn to the potential for the production of SAF in Scotland. You will be aware of project willow, which identified two potential projects for SAF production in Grangemouth—project 6 and project 8…

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting date: 23 September 2025

Ecocide (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): "Good morning. It is important that, before introducing any provision that creates new criminal law, we are clear about the nature of the gap in the law that we are trying to address and how the new offence would operate in practice…

Chamber meeting date: 17 September 2025

Alexander Dennis Ltd

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): "I offer my thanks to the Deputy First Minister for her considerable level of engagement on the issue with the trade union, the company and me directly over the summer…

Votes

How Michael Matheson has voted in Parliament

Find out how Michael Matheson has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-19275

Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill - UK Legislation

Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Supported by: Kaukab Stewart
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, October 9, 2025

Result 81 for, 10 against, 23 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motion ref. S6M-19276

Planning and Infrastructure Bill - UK Legislation

Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Supported by: Graeme Dey
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, October 9, 2025

Result 87 for, 23 against, 1 abstained, 18 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motion ref. S6M-19128

Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill

Submitted by: Douglas Ross, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, October 9, 2025

Result 52 for, 63 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Motion ref. S6M-19269

Approval of SSI

Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Result 51 for, 25 against, 33 abstained, 20 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motion ref. S6M-19268

Suspension of Standing Orders

Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Result 85 for, 0 against, 26 abstained, 18 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motions

Questions

Questions Michael Matheson has asked

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

Question reference: S6F-04377

Asked by: Michael Matheson, Falkirk West, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:6 October 2025

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 October 2025

"To ask the First Minister, following Scotland’s Global Investment Summit 2025, whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government’s work to attract international investment into Scotland’s economy."

Question reference: S6O-04986

Asked by: Michael Matheson, Falkirk West, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:17 September 2025

Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 25 September 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting current, and developing future, supply chain opportunities in the renewable energy sector."

Question reference: S6W-40340

Asked by: Michael Matheson, Falkirk West, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:4 September 2025

Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 5 September 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress made in the further decarbonisation of Scotland's suburban rail services, and what plans it has to replace the rolling stock currently operating on ScotRail’s suburban services."

Question reference: S6W-38978

Asked by: Michael Matheson, Falkirk West, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:25 June 2025

Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 July 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland has made progress on implementing "a national review of freight parking/rest areas" in line with recommendation 36 of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), and when it expects to publish the findings of any such review."

Question reference: S6F-03857

Asked by: Michael Matheson, Falkirk West, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:24 February 2025

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 February 2025

"To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the recent study by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit regarding the contribution of the net zero sector to the UK and Scotland’s economy."

Question reference: S6W-34485

Asked by: Michael Matheson, Falkirk West, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:30 January 2025

Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 31 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on ScotRail fares for 2025."

Question reference: S6W-32511

Asked by: Michael Matheson, Falkirk West, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:19 December 2024

Current Status: Answered by Dorothy Bain on 15 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how often the Lord Advocate’s instructions have been used to protect victims of human trafficking and exploitation since the commencement of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015."

Question reference: S6W-32499

Asked by: Michael Matheson, Falkirk West, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:19 December 2024

Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 10 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with representatives of (a) the justice, (b) the social work, (c) the education, (d) the health sector and (d) other professional sectors regarding dealing with the criminal exploitation of children, also broken down by what training it provides."

Question reference: S6W-32513

Asked by: Michael Matheson, Falkirk West, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:19 December 2024

Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 10 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been under the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 regarding children who have been criminally exploited."

Question reference: S6W-32501

Asked by: Michael Matheson, Falkirk West, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:19 December 2024

Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 10 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what initiatives there are to inform (a) children, (b) parents and (c) the public regarding the awareness, signs and risks of the criminal exploitation of children and where to seek help should they have concerns regarding this."

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