Sarah Boyack
Scottish Labour
MSP for Lothian (Region) 2019 - present day
Former MSP for Lothian (Region) 2011 - 2016
Former MSP for Edinburgh Central (Constituency) 1999 - 2011
About Sarah Boyack
Contact details
Contact online
Email: [email protected]
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 6994
Text relay calls welcome.
Committees
Sarah is a member of 2 committees
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Substitute Member
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
Sarah is a member of 17 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Bangladesh
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Circular Economy
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Co-Operatives
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Creative Economy
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Culture and Communities
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Europe
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Fair Trade
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on India
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on International Development
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Nordic Countries
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Pakistan
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Palestine
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Sustainable Transport
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Taiwan
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Wellbeing Economy
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Sarah has 1 parliamentary and government role
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Branch Executive
Member
Party Roles
Sarah has 3 party roles
Party Spokesperson on Energy
Scottish Labour
Party Spokesperson on Just Transition
Scottish Labour
Party Spokesperson on Net Zero
Scottish Labour
Previous roles
Sarah has had 39 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
17 June 2021 - 25 April 2023
Constitution Europe External Affairs and Culture Committee
Member
22 September 2021 - 25 April 2023
Local Government Housing and Planning Committee
Substitute Member
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Party Spokesperson on the Constitution
Scottish Labour
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Party Spokesperson on External Affairs
Scottish Labour
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Party Spokesperson on Culture
Scottish Labour
01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Environment
Scottish Labour
01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Climate Change
Scottish Labour
01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Land Reform
Scottish Labour
25 September 2019 - 04 May 2021
Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Substitute Member
11 September 2019 - 04 May 2021
Local Government and Communities Committee
Deputy Convener
02 September 2019 - 01 March 2021
Party Spokesperson on Local Government
Scottish Labour
05 February 2020 - 25 February 2020
Finance and Constitution Committee
Substitute Member
10 September 2019 - 11 September 2019
Local Government and Communities Committee
Member
06 January 2015 - 23 March 2016
Policy Forum/Manifesto Co-ordinator
Scottish Labour
19 August 2015 - 23 March 2016
Party Spokesperson on Environmental Justice
Scottish Labour
08 January 2015 - 23 March 2016
Rural Affairs Climate Change and Environment Committee
Member
16 December 2014 - 19 August 2015
Party Spokesperson on Rural Development
Scottish Labour
16 December 2014 - 19 August 2015
Party Spokesperson on the Environment
Scottish Labour
03 September 2013 - 08 January 2015
Local Government and Regeneration Committee
Substitute Member
19 December 2011 - 16 December 2014
Party Spokesperson on Local Government
Scottish Labour
19 December 2011 - 16 December 2014
Party Spokesperson on Planning
Scottish Labour
20 May 2011 - 19 December 2011
Party Spokesperson on Rural Development
Scottish Labour
20 May 2011 - 19 December 2011
Party Spokesperson on the Environment
Scottish Labour
17 September 2007 - 22 March 2011
Party Spokesperson on Rural Development
Scottish Labour
17 September 2007 - 22 March 2011
Party Spokesperson on the Environment
Scottish Labour
13 June 2007 - 20 September 2007
Rural Affairs and Environment Committee
Member
18 May 2007 - 17 September 2007
Party Spokesperson on the Environment
Scottish Labour
11 January 2007 - 17 May 2007
Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development
Scottish Government
10 June 2003 - 15 January 2007
Environment and Rural Development Committee
Convener
10 June 2003 - 15 January 2007
conveners group
Member
04 June 2003 - 10 June 2003
Environment and Rural Development Committee
Member
06 March 2003 - 31 March 2003
European and External Relations Committee
Member
31 October 2002 - 31 March 2003
Audit Committee
Member
26 September 2002 - 31 March 2003
Social Justice Committee
Substitute Member
29 November 2001 - 05 March 2003
European Committee
Member
07 March 2002 - 27 June 2002
Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Bill Committee
Member
21 March 2001 - 28 November 2001
Minister for Transport and Planning
Scottish Government
02 November 2000 - 21 March 2001
Minister for Transport and Telecommunications
Scottish Government
19 May 1999 - 01 November 2000
Minister for Transport and the Environment
Scottish Government
Register of interests
Sarah'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 Sarah Boyack. The date of their initial statement was 08 June 2021.
Remuneration and related undertaking
I worked as Head of Public Affairs for the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Sutherland House, 149 St Vincent St, Glasgow G2 5NW, part time for the first three weeks from February 2017, then full time from March 2017. I left the post on 12 July 2019 and was returned to Parliament on 15 July 2019. On 26 July 2019, I received a final salary payment of between £1,001 and £2,000 representing the outstanding salary owed to me.
Gifts
No registrable interests
Overseas visits
No registrable interests
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
I am a member of The Cooperative Party.
On 5 December 2023 I received a gift of a food hamper valued at approximately £150 from Community Windpower Ltd (Godscroft Lane, Frodsham, Cheshire, WA6 6XU). The gift was to me as an individual. [Registered 21 December 2023]
I am a member of both Unison and Community Trade Unions.
I worked as a temporary and part time lecturer at Heriot Watt University teaching Planning and Environmental Studies from September 2016 until March 2017.
I am a member of Friends of the Earth Scotland.
I am a member of the Edinburgh Solar COOP.
I am a Vice President of the European Movement in Scotland.
I am a member of Spokes - The Lothian Cycle Campaign.
Recent Activity
What was said
What Sarah Boyack 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: 13 June 2024
NHS Lothian and NHS Borders (Finances)
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "With 84 per cent of Scotland’s future population growth expected to be in the Lothians, NHS Lothian is in desperate need of investment, but our health board is already having to make a 6 per cent saving by cutting vital services, including diabetes technology. Yesterday, in a meeting with the cabinet secretary, the campaign group KEEP—keep…
Chamber meeting date: 6 June 2024
Flash Glucose Monitors (NHS Lothian)
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "Only 38 per cent of type 1 diabetics in NHS Lothian have access to a flash glucose monitor, compared with 51.8 per cent across Scotland…
Chamber meeting date: 6 June 2024
Decision Time
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Can I just double-check that my vote was cast?"
Chamber meeting date: 5 June 2024
Justice System
6. Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the Scottish justice system is “close to collapse” and that solicitors are taking industrial action. (S6O-03529)"
Chamber meeting date: 5 June 2024
Low-emission Zones
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "Can the cabinet secretary give an update on what financial support the Scottish Government has offered to councils and small businesses to upgrade their fleets, particularly given the costs of upgrading to electric vehicles…
Votes
How Sarah Boyack has voted in Parliament
Find out how Sarah Boyack has voted recently.
Scottish Government Priorities: Investing in Scotland’s Public Services
Submitted by: Liz Smith, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 13, 2024
Result 24 for, 81 against, 0 abstained, 24 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Scottish Government Priorities: Investing in Scotland’s Public Services
Submitted by: Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 13, 2024
Result 45 for, 61 against, 0 abstained, 23 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Scottish Government Priorities: Investing in Scotland’s Public Services
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Supported by: Neil Gray, Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 13, 2024
Result 61 for, 46 against, 0 abstained, 22 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Result 29 for, 79 against, 1 abstained, 20 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Result 29 for, 81 against, 1 abstained, 18 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Motions
Motions made by Sarah Boyack in Parliament
Find out what motions Sarah Boyack has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Sarah Boyack has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 14 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the reasons for its decision to no longer make house builders eligible for funding from the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme from 1 August 2024."
Answer expected on 28 June 2024
Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 14 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its progress on the allocation of funding from its commitment to spend £1.8 billion during the current parliamentary session on decarbonising Scotland’s buildings."
Answer expected on 28 June 2024
Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 14 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how much funding is currently available to be allocated as part of the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme."
Answer expected on 28 June 2024
Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 14 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the reasons for its decision to no longer provide new referrals for solar PV and energy storage systems to the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme from 6 June 2024."
Answer expected on 28 June 2024
Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 13 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has discussed the skills passport for offshore energy workers with (a) SSE Renewables and (b) other members of the Global Wind Organisation that hold contracts in Scotland’s offshore wind industry."
Answer expected on 27 June 2024
Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 13 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council regarding the development of the skills passport for offshore energy workers in Scotland."
Answer expected on 27 June 2024
Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 12 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact on the NHS’s hyperbaric treatment capacity for offshore divers in north east Scotland of NHS Grampian’s reported cessation of the contract for the hyperbaric facility in Oban."
Answer expected on 26 June 2024
Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 12 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Health and Safety Executive regarding the availability of hyperbaric treatment facilities within the NHS for offshore divers working in waters off the Scottish coastline."
Answer expected on 26 June 2024
Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 12 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how frequently its ministers receive reports from its Marine Directorate on contaminants in marine animals."
Answer expected on 26 June 2024
Asked by: Boyack, Sarah, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 12 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of jobs that will be created in Scotland by the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) programme."
Answer expected on 26 June 2024