Scottish Labour
MSP for West Scotland (Region) 2021 - present day
Email: Paul.O'[email protected]
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5942
Text relay calls welcome.
Phone: 0141 887 5111
Text relay calls welcome.
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Scottish Labour
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Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
22 June 2021 - 25 April 2023
Deputy Convener
22 September 2021 - 25 April 2023
Substitute Member
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Scottish Labour
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Scottish Labour
17 June 2021 - 22 June 2021
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 Paul O'Kane. The date of their initial statement was 07 June 2021.
Until 4 May 2022, I was a councillor for East Renfrewshire Council (of Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, G46 6UH) and additionally, until 10 June 2021, I was Depute Leader of the Council and Convener for Education and Equalities. I worked approximately 21 hours per week and, until 10 June 2021, received remuneration of between £20,001 and £25,000 per annum. I had resigned as Depute Leader of the Council and Convener for Education and Equalities with effect from 10 June 2021 but remained as a councillor. From 10 June 2021 to 4 May 2022, I received remuneration of between £15,001 to £20,000 per annum. My councillor salary was donated to local community groups in my Ward. [Amended interest 5 October 2022]
Until 10 May 2021, I was a Policy and Participation Manager at ENABLE Scotland (a Learning Disability Charity and Social Care Provider of Inspire House, 3 Renshaw Place, Eurocentral, North Lanarkshire, ML14UF). I worked 21 hours per week and the remuneration I received was between £30,001 and £35,000 (pro-rata) per annum.
Until 10 June 2021, I will be Chair of the Transport and Mechanical Advisory Group Association of Public Sector Excellence (APSE) (a not for profit unincorporated association of 300 Councils across the UK promoting excellence in public services of Scottish Office, Brandon House, 23-25 Brandon Street, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, ML3 6DA). I work 4 hours per month and receive remuneration of between £1,001 and £2,000 per annum. I resigned from this role with effect from 10 June 2021.
On 18th September 2022, I received two Group D Finals tickets for my husband and I for the Davis Cup in Glasgow from the Lawn Tennis Association (National Tennis Centre, 100 Priory Lane, Roehampton, London, SW15 5JQ). The value of these tickets was £492. [Registered 3 October 2022]
From 23 to 26 March 2025, I participated in a delegation to Bosnia-Herzegovina to learn about the war of the early 1990s and the genocide at Srebrenica. Travel expenses, accommodation in Sarajevo, city taxes, museum entries and meals to the total value of £780.00 were provided by Beyond Srebrenica, (a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC046540) which coordinates Srebrenica awareness activities in Scotland of c/o Turcan Connell Solicitors, Princes Exchange, Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9EE). [Registered 8 April 2025]
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
I am a member of Community Union.
I received two complimentary tickets from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland of Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8NB for my husband and I to attend the Royal Highland Show on Sunday 23 June 2024, the estimated value of the tickets was £68.00. [Registered 16 September 2024]
I was paid £100 by You Gov on 25 September 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 25 September 2024]
I received two complimentary tickets from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland of Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8NB for my husband and I to attend the Royal Highland Show on Sunday 25 June 2023, the estimated value of the tickets was £68.00. [Registered 16 September 2024]
I was paid £100 by You Gov on 10 July 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 16 September 2024]
I am a member of the Scottish Co-operative Party.
I am the Chair of Trustees of Neilston War Memorial Association.
I am a member of LGBT Labour Scotland.
I was paid £30 by You Gov on 25 April 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 16 September 2024]
I am a member of GMB Union.
I am a patron of LGBT Labour.
I was paid £70 by You Gov on 25 July 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 16 September 2024]
I was paid £75 by Savanta on 26 June 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 16 September 2024]
I am a member of ENABLE Scotland.
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: 20 May 2025
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "I am pleased to speak to amendment 116 and to my other amendments in the group…
Chamber meeting date: 20 May 2025
Paul O’Kane: "Tess White spoke about the challenges that the bill presents, particularly with regard to the independence of the judiciary…
Social Justice and Social Security Committee meeting date: 15 May 2025
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "Good morning. The first area that is of interest to the committee is about issues around public debt when people are leaving an abusive relationship…
Social Justice and Social Security Committee meeting date: 15 May 2025
Paul O’Kane: "No, convener; I said that I would indicate if I wanted to come in."
Chamber meeting date: 13 May 2025
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the debate. At this stage of the evening, I am pleased to be following so many considered, passionate and powerful speeches by colleagues from all parts of the chamber…
Find out how Paul O'Kane 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 not voted
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 not voted
Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Result 46 for, 64 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote
MSP not voted
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 for
Vote Defeated
Find out what motions Paul O'Kane has submitted recently.
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 14 May 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether local authorities have the power to prescribe or restrict the type of vehicular traffic that can use a particular road."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 May 2025
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 14 May 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it or its relevant agencies have the power to prescribe or restrict the type of vehicular traffic that can use a particular road."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 May 2025
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted any analysis of the appropriate level of payment for Funeral Support Payment since its introduction in 2019."
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 16 May 2025
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reviewed, or plans to review, the eligibility criteria for Funeral Support Payment."
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 14 May 2025
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for eligible NHS patients to receive the shingles vaccine."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 May 2025
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards operate their own shingles vaccination programme, and how it is ensuring equitable access to the vaccine across all NHS boards."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 May 2025
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent research suggesting that the shingles vaccine might reduce the risk of dementia by up to 20%, whether it plans to (a) expand or (b) accelerate the rollout of the vaccine."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 May 2025
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted any analysis on the cost per person to successfully transition an individual into employment through its Young Person's Guarantee, and, if so, what that cost was."
Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 May 2025
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how many individuals were supported into employment through its Young Person's Guarantee in each of the last three years, and what this figure was as a proportion of all individuals supported through the programme in each of those years."
Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 May 2025
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for (a) bereaved individuals under the age of 50 whose partner has died and (b) children of individuals where a parent has died under the age of 50."
Answered by Maree Todd on 13 May 2025