Skip to main content
Loading…
Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)
Image description

Simita Kumar

Scottish National Party

MSP for Edinburgh South Western (Constituency)

About Simita Kumar

Contact details

Contact online

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Career as MSP

Career as MSP

Scottish National Party
MSP for Edinburgh South Western (Constituency)
07 May 2026 to present

Committees

Simita Kumar is not a member of any committees

Cross-party groups

Simita Kumar is not a member of any cross-party groups

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Simita Kumar has 1 parliamentary and government role

Minister for Equalities and International Development

Scottish Government

Party Roles

Simita Kumar does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Simita Kumar does not have any previous roles

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

Register of interests

Simita Kumar'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 Simita Kumar. The date of their initial statement was 09 June 2026.

Remuneration and related undertaking

Until 4 June 2026, when I resigned, I was a local authority Councillor for Edinburgh City Council (of 249 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ). I spent in the region of 40 hours per week on this role. I received remuneration of between £25,001 and £30,000 per annum for the role of Councillor. The basic rate of the councillor salary was deducted from my MSP salary. I also received the Senior Councillor Allowance amounting to £18,682 for my role as an SNP Group Leader which I resigned from on 21 May 2026. I received the use of two laptops, a computer tablet, and a mobile phone as part of my roles.

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

Until 21 May 2026, when I resigned, I was a Director of the Capital City Partnership (the anchor delivery body for Edinburgh’s employability strategy, working together to tackle inequality and poverty; of 14 Links Place, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 7EZ). It was a council appointment that was unremunerated.

Recent Activity

Official Report

What Simita Kumar 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.

Scottish Government Priorities

Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee meeting date: 1 September 2026

The Minister for Equalities and International Development (Simita Kumar): "Good morning, convener, and good morning, members. It is so wonderful to have this opportunity to discuss the Scottish Government’s international development priorities alongside minister Gethins…

Traveller Community Facilities

Chamber meeting date: 25 June 2026

The Minister for Equalities and International Development (Simita Kumar): "We expect local authorities to take the lead in responding to unauthorised encampments, including consideration of welfare needs, such as access to sanitation facilities…

Community Cohesion and Resilience

Chamber meeting date: 25 June 2026

The Minister for Equalities and International Development (Simita Kumar): "I thank Colin Beattie for his important and relevant question.Community cohesion remains a core priority for the Scottish Government, recognising that trust, connection and inclusion underpin resilient communities and a flourishing Scotland for all…

Decision Time

Chamber meeting date: 23 June 2026

The Minister for Equalities and International Development (Simita Kumar): "On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My platform did not connect. I would have voted yes."

Partnership with the Third Sector

Chamber meeting date: 16 June 2026

The Minister for Equalities and International Development (Simita Kumar): "As this is my first contribution, I begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the people of Edinburgh South Western for placing their trust in me to represent them. It is a profound honour and privilege…

Votes

How Simita Kumar has voted in Parliament

Find out how Simita Kumar has voted recently.

Eradicating Child Poverty, the Scottish Government’s Defining Mission

Motion ref. S7M-01022

Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Supported by: Siobhian Brown, Simita Kumar, Màiri McAllan
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, September 3, 2026

Result 36 for, 63 against, 15 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Eradicating Child Poverty, the Scottish Government’s Defining Mission

Motion ref. S7M-01022.4

Submitted by: Morven-May MacCallum, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Date lodged: Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, September 3, 2026

Result 59 for, 54 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote

MSP voted against

Agreed

Eradicating Child Poverty, the Scottish Government’s Defining Mission

Motion ref. S7M-01022.1

Submitted by: Mark Griffin, Central Scot and Lothians West, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, September 3, 2026

Result 35 for, 68 against, 9 abstained, 17 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Eradicating Child Poverty, the Scottish Government’s Defining Mission

Motion ref. S7M-01022.2

Submitted by: Holly Bruce, Glasgow Southside, Scottish Green Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, September 3, 2026

Result 15 for, 83 against, 13 abstained, 18 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Eradicating Child Poverty, the Scottish Government’s Defining Mission

Motion ref. S7M-01022.5

Submitted by: Julie MacDougall, Mid Scotland and Fife, Reform UK . Date lodged: Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, September 3, 2026

Result 21 for, 90 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Motions

Motions made by Simita Kumar in Parliament

Find out what motions Simita Kumar has submitted recently.

Questions

Questions Simita Kumar has asked

This MSP has not asked any Questions yet. Information will be added here when available.