Scottish National Party
MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith (Constituency) 2016 - present day
Email: [email protected]
Website: benmacpherson.scot/home
X (previously known as Twitter): @BenMacpherson
Facebook: Ben's facebook
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 600 0134
Text relay calls welcome.
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.
Member
Substitute Member
Deputy Convener
Member
Deputy Convener
Deputy Convener
Member
Co-Convener
Member
Member
Member
Member
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
05 December 2024 - 12 December 2024
Member
05 September 2023 - 11 September 2024
Deputy Convener
05 September 2023 - 17 June 2024
Member
26 April 2023 - 05 September 2023
Deputy Convener
29 June 2023 - 05 September 2023
Member
18 April 2023 - 29 June 2023
Member
18 April 2023 - 29 June 2023
Substitute Member
18 April 2023 - 26 April 2023
Member
19 May 2021 - 29 March 2023
Scottish Government
21 December 2020 - 19 May 2021
Scottish Government
17 February 2020 - 21 December 2020
Scottish Government
28 June 2018 - 17 February 2020
Scottish Government
14 June 2016 - 28 June 2018
Scottish Government
14 June 2016 - 28 June 2018
Scottish Government
06 October 2016 - 28 June 2018
Member
08 June 2016 - 28 June 2018
Member
08 June 2016 - 28 June 2018
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 Ben Macpherson. The date of their initial statement was 24 May 2021.
No registrable interests
On 8 August 2025 myself and a guest (a founder of a local charity) attended the Oasis concert at Murrayfield as hospitality guests of Scottish Gas (owned by Centrica plc, an energy company registered in England and Wales at Millstream, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 5GD), who are a significant employer in my constituency. The combined value of the two tickets was £1200 including VAT. [Registered 11 August 2025]
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.
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]
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 16 May 2024]
I am registered on the roll of Scottish Solicitors.
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.
Criminal Justice Committee meeting date: 3 September 2025
Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "Good morning, panel members. Thanks for your evidence so far. I want to go back to areas of questioning that were put earlier…
Chamber meeting date: 2 September 2025
Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "The housing emergency has been decades in the making, since Thatcherism, and it is the biggest issue for millennials and those younger than that. Therefore, I warmly welcome the significant investment that the Scottish Government has announced today…
Chamber meeting date: 2 September 2025
Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "Màiri McAllan, the cabinet secretary, is not in the chamber, but it is important to put on the record that she did actually respond by saying that there would be targeted spending in areas of high pressure, such as Edinburgh."
Chamber meeting date: 26 June 2025
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
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)"
Find out how Ben Macpherson has voted recently.
Submitted by: Tom Arthur, Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Supported by: Neil Gray, Jenni Minto, Maree Todd
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, September 4, 2025
Result 71 for, 0 against, 26 abstained, 32 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Jackson Carlaw, Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Result 26 for, 83 against, 5 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Neil Bibby, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Result 83 for, 25 against, 6 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Patrick Harvie, Glasgow, Scottish Green Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Result 62 for, 31 against, 21 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, September 1, 2025
Supported by: Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Result 65 for, 24 against, 26 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Find out what motions Ben Macpherson has submitted recently.
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
See all of Ben Macpherson's questions submitted in Parliament