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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Ben Macpherson

Scottish National Party

MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith (Constituency) 2016 - present day

About Ben Macpherson

Contact details

Contact online

X (previously known as Twitter): @BenMacpherson

Facebook: Ben's facebook

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 600 0134
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

34 Constitution Street
Leith
Edinburgh
EH6 6RS

Phone: 0131 600 0134
Text relay calls welcome.

Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.

Committees

Cross-party groups

Ben is a member of 9 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Brain Tumours

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Construction

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Europe

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on France

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Housing

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi

Co-Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Medicinal Cannabis

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Poverty

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Ukraine

Member

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Ben has 1 parliamentary and government role

Conveners Group

Member

Party Roles

Ben does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Ben has had 17 previous roles

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

05 December 2024 - 12 December 2024

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee

Member

05 September 2023 - 11 September 2024

Net Zero Energy and Transport Committee

Deputy Convener

05 September 2023 - 17 June 2024

Education Children and Young People Committee

Member

29 June 2023 - 05 September 2023

Net Zero Energy and Transport Committee

Member

26 April 2023 - 05 September 2023

Education Children and Young People Committee

Deputy Convener

18 April 2023 - 29 June 2023

Constitution Europe External Affairs and Culture Committee

Member

18 April 2023 - 29 June 2023

Equalities Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Substitute Member

18 April 2023 - 26 April 2023

Education Children and Young People Committee

Member

19 May 2021 - 29 March 2023

Minister for Social Security and Local Government

Scottish Government

21 December 2020 - 19 May 2021

Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment

Scottish Government

17 February 2020 - 21 December 2020

Minister for Public Finance and Migration

Scottish Government

28 June 2018 - 17 February 2020

Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development

Scottish Government

14 June 2016 - 28 June 2018

parliamentaryLiaisonOfficerToTheOffice of the First Minister

Scottish Government

14 June 2016 - 28 June 2018

parliamentaryLiaisonOfficerToTheFirst Minister

Scottish Government

06 October 2016 - 28 June 2018

Justice SubCommittee on Policing

Member

08 June 2016 - 28 June 2018

Social Security Committee

Member

08 June 2016 - 28 June 2018

Justice Committee

Member

Register of interests

Ben'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 Ben Macpherson. The date of their initial statement was 24 May 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

No registrable interests

Gifts

On 4 February 2017 myself and a guest attended the Scotland v Ireland match at Murrayfield as hospitality guests of BT Scotland (a telecommunications company of BT Group plc, BT Centre, 81 Newgate Street, London EC1A 7AJ). The combined value of the two tickets was £1390 + VAT.

Overseas visits

From 3 to 25 February 2024 I visited the United States of America as a participant in the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. I participated in this particular three week professional exchange program with a range of other participants from Europe and Asia, considering various global challenges. The costs of travel, accommodation, meals and other occasional expenses were $9,284 USD (equivalent to £7339, at the closing exchange rate on 29 February 2024) and were met by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State (of 2201 C St., NW Washington, DC 20520, United States of America), an organisation that aims to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through exchange programmes. [Registered 29 February 2024]

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

No registrable interests

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

I am registered on the roll of Scottish Solicitors.

[Ceased interest removed from entry: 16 May 2024]

Recent Activity

What was said

What Ben Macpherson 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: 26 June 2025

Student Accommodation

Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "We want to support our students and welcome those from abroad, but it is time to signal to purpose-built student accommodation developers that their plans are increasingly unwelcome in communities such as the one that I represent…

Chamber meeting date: 26 June 2025

Children with Disabilities and Additional Support Needs (Holiday Hub Provision)

6. Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of holiday hub provision for children with disabilities and additional support needs in the city of Edinburgh and elsewhere in Scotland. (S6O-04863)"

Criminal Justice Committee meeting date: 25 June 2025

Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "First, I reiterate what the convener said about how we all want to tackle domestic abuse in the communities that we represent and in our country as a whole. I commend you for undertaking work to try to improve the situation…

Criminal Justice Committee meeting date: 25 June 2025

Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Ben Macpherson: "I thank Ash Regan and her team for being here today and for all the work that they have put into tackling the issue. How do you envisage enforcement being undertaken…

Chamber meeting date: 19 June 2025

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Edinburgh)

4. Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is assessing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s capacity to provide emergency response cover and ensure community safety in Edinburgh, including in relation to meeting any needs resulting from population growth in the Lothians. (S6O-04819)"

Votes

How Ben Macpherson has voted in Parliament

Find out how Ben Macpherson has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-18081

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - UK Legislation

Submitted by: Natalie Don-Innes, Renfrewshire North and West, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Supported by: Graeme Dey, Jenny Gilruth
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Result 87 for, 0 against, 28 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-18075

Employment Rights Bill - UK Legislation

Submitted by: Richard Lochhead, Moray, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, June 23, 2025

Supported by: Tom Arthur, Kate Forbes
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Result 88 for, 1 against, 27 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-18080

Product Regulation and Metrology Bill - UK Legislation

Submitted by: Richard Lochhead, Moray, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Result 80 for, 0 against, 34 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-18076

Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill - UK Legislation

Submitted by: Kaukab Stewart, Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, June 23, 2025

Supported by: Shirley-Anne Somerville
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Result 86 for, 0 against, 28 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 49 Amendment 232

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Result 88 for, 26 against, 0 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motions

Questions

Questions Ben Macpherson has asked

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

Question ref. S6W-38877

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 19 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its improved methodology for the climate change taxonomy for its Budget 2025-26."

Answered by Gillian Martin on 20 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38855

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 18 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out its policy position on coal extraction in Scotland."

Answered by Gillian Martin on 19 June 2025

Question ref. S6O-04863

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 18 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of holiday hub provision for children with disabilities and ASN in the City of Edinburgh and elsewhere in Scotland."

Taken in the Chamber on 26 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38269

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 4 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure the full implementation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) across all NHS boards, and whether this implementation will supersede the updated 2023 Scottish Good Practice Statement on ME/CFS."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 17 June 2025

Question ref. S6O-04819

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 11 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is assessing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s capacity to provide emergency response cover and ensure community safety in Edinburgh, including in relation to meeting any needs resulting from population growth in the Lothians."

Taken in the Chamber on 19 June 2025

Question ref. S6O-04794

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 4 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on planned capital investment in the Seafield Waste Water Treatment Works, including the no regrets funding commitment and what consideration is being given to further investment after the PFI contract ends, to meet the needs of population growth, climate change and the Edinburgh…

Taken in the Chamber on 12 June 2025

Question ref. S6F-04160

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 2 June 2025

"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is supporting film and TV production in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland."

Taken in the Chamber on 5 June 2025

Question ref. S6O-04759

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 28 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with universities and placement schools to support the mental health and wellbeing of student teachers."

Taken in the Chamber on 4 June 2025

Question ref. S6O-04713

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 21 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board, NHS Lothian, the City of Edinburgh Council and any other relevant organisations regarding any impact on patients, communities and statutory services of reported reductions to preventative initiatives and services."

Taken in the Chamber on 28 May 2025

Question ref. S6O-04701

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 14 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with partners to support the Port of Leith's contribution to Scotland's net zero ambitions."

Taken in the Chamber on 22 May 2025

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