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

Claire Baker

Scottish Labour

MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife (Region)

About Claire Baker

Contact details

Contact online

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 6769
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

Ore Valley Business Centre
93 Main St
Lochgelly
Fife
KY5 9AF

Phone: 01592 786 726
Text relay calls welcome.

Career as MSP

Career as MSP

Scottish Labour
MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife (Region)
03 May 2007 to present

Committees

Claire Baker is a member of 1 committee

Climate Action Committee

Member

Cross-party groups

Claire Baker is not a member of any cross-party groups

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Claire Baker does not have any parliamentary or government roles

Party Roles

Claire Baker has 1 party role

Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs

Scottish Labour

Previous roles

Claire Baker has had the following roles in Parliament

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

20 May 2021 to 21 May 2026

scottish parliamentary corporate body

Appointed Member

05 December 2025 to 08 April 2026

Party Spokesperson on Social Security

Scottish Labour

10 December 2025 to 08 April 2026

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Member

06 November 2024 to 08 April 2026

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Substitute Member

27 September 2024 to 05 December 2025

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Transport

Scottish Labour

23 June 2021 to 06 November 2024

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Convener

23 June 2021 to 06 November 2024

conveners group

Member

22 September 2021 to 25 April 2023

Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee

Substitute Member

31 May 2021 to 28 December 2022

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Drugs Policy

Scottish Labour

20 September 2018 to 14 September 2021

commonwealth parliamentary association branch executive

Member

17 June 2021 to 23 June 2021

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Member

01 March 2021 to 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Culture

Scottish Labour

06 September 2018 to 04 May 2021

Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee

Deputy Convener

19 December 2017 to 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Culture

Scottish Labour

19 December 2017 to 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Tourism

Scottish Labour

19 December 2017 to 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on External Affairs

Scottish Labour

11 January 2018 to 06 September 2018

Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee

Deputy Convener

09 January 2018 to 11 January 2018

Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee

Member

28 June 2016 to 09 January 2018

Justice Committee

Substitute Member

28 November 2017 to 09 January 2018

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Member

25 May 2016 to 19 December 2017

Party Spokesperson on Justice

Scottish Labour

19 August 2015 to 23 March 2016

Party Spokesperson on Democracy

Scottish Labour

08 January 2015 to 23 March 2016

European and External Relations Committee

Substitute Member

16 December 2014 to 19 August 2015

Party Spokesperson on Culture

Scottish Labour

16 December 2014 to 19 August 2015

Party Spokesperson on Europe and External Relations

Scottish Labour

19 September 2012 to 08 January 2015

Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee

Substitute Member

19 December 2011 to 16 December 2014

Party Spokesperson on Rural Development

Scottish Labour

19 December 2011 to 16 December 2014

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Labour

23 June 2011 to 19 September 2012

Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee

Substitute Member

14 June 2011 to 21 December 2011

Education and Culture Committee

Deputy Convener

20 May 2011 to 19 December 2011

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Education and Young People

Scottish Labour

01 June 2011 to 14 June 2011

Education and Culture Committee

Member

01 April 2008 to 22 March 2011

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Higher Education

Scottish Labour

15 September 2010 to 22 March 2011

Justice Committee

Substitute Member

02 October 2008 to 22 March 2011

Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee

Member

02 October 2008 to 15 September 2010

Public Petitions Committee

Substitute Member

01 May 2008 to 01 October 2008

Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee

Substitute Member

13 June 2007 to 01 October 2008

Public Petitions Committee

Member

20 September 2007 to 01 May 2008

Audit Committee

Member

27 June 2007 to 01 May 2008

Equal Opportunities Committee

Substitute Member

Register of interests

Claire Baker'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 Claire Baker. The date of their initial statement was 26 May 2026.

Remuneration and related undertaking

No registrable interests.

Gifts

No registrable interests.

Overseas visits

From 16 to 26 October 2025, I visited Thimphu and Bumthang, Bhutan, as part of a cross-party delegation of MSPs. The purpose of the visit was to engage with entrepreneurial, charitable and cultural organisations and senior politicians and advisors within the Bhutanese Parliament. The costs of the visit, comprised of £2612.20 for travel and £2359.56 for other expenses, including hotel accommodation, meals, visas, Bhutanese tourist tax, guides and transportation, and hosting meetings with the Loden Foundation, were paid by The Tam O’Shanter Trust, Registered Charity Number: SC030043 (of Little Milton, Nr Kingussie, Inverness-shire, East Lothian), which is a family charitable trust with an all-encompassing (rather than specific) charitable objective.

From 19-27 August 2022, I attended the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Halifax, Canada. The cost of flights of £1,642.89 was met by the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (of Richmond House, Houses of Parliament, London, 0AA) and of meals of approximately £158 were met by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Canada Region (of the House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6). The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is a membership association of legislatures from the Commonwealth which brings together Members, irrespective of gender, race, religion or culture, who are united by community of interest, respect for the rule of law and individual rights and freedoms, and by the pursuit of the positive ideals of parliamentary democracy.

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests.

Heritable property

I own, jointly with my husband, a flat in Aberdeen with a market value of between £100,001 and £150,000 with gross rental income of up to £5,000 per annum.

Interest in shares

No registrable interests.

Voluntary

On Saturday 5 February 2022 I attended the Scotland v England rugby match at BT Murrayfield as guests of Openreach. In addition to tickets for the match, the hospitality included food and drink. I understand that the cost of this hospitality was approximately £600.

On Saturday 24 February 2024 I attended the Scotland v England rugby match at Scottish Gas Murrayfield as a guest of BT Group. In addition to tickets for the match, the hospitality included food and drink. I understand that the cost of this hospitality was £550.

I own, jointly with my husband, a house in France with a market value of between £50,001 and £100,000.

On Sunday 24th November 2024 I attended the Scotland v Australia rugby match at Scottish Gas Murrayfield as a guest of Vodafone. In addition to tickets for the match, the hospitality included food and drink. I understand that the cost of this hospitality was £550.

Recent Activity

Official Report

What Claire Baker 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.

Non-domestic Rates System

Chamber meeting date: 10 June 2026

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): "To ask the Scottish Government how it is taking forward plans to rebalance the non-domestic rates system. (S7O-00031)"

Hyperscale AI Data Centres (Planning Authority Guidance)

Chamber meeting date: 10 June 2026

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): "The Scottish Government’s AI strategy has a clear aim of promoting Scotland as a centre for green data centres, but it is less clear on what the terms mean in practice…

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Statistics 2024

Chamber meeting date: 9 June 2026

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): "I last led on the environment and rural affairs for Scottish Labour in 2014, and I am afraid that, returning to the annual statement on meeting our 2045 targets today, the analysis and the questions for the Government largely remain the same…

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Statistics 2024

Chamber meeting date: 9 June 2026

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): "I last led on the environment and rural affairs for Scottish Labour in 2014, and I am afraid that, returning to the annual statement on meeting our 2045 targets today, the analysis and the questions for the Government largely remain the same…

Lochgelly Health Centre

Chamber meeting date: 4 June 2026

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): "Mr Barratt raised the issue of the coupling of Lochgelly health centre with Cowdenbeath and the concern that that will delay the Lochgelly centre…

Votes

How Claire Baker has voted in Parliament

Find out how Claire Baker has voted recently.

Suspension of Standing Orders

Motion ref. S7M-00397

Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Result 108 for, 10 against, 0 abstained, 11 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Appointment of Law Officers

Motion ref. S7M-00380

Submitted by: John Swinney, Perthshire North, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Result 102 for, 16 against, 0 abstained, 11 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Affordable Bus Fares

Motion ref. S7M-00367.4

Submitted by: Craig Hoy, Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Result 10 for, 107 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Affordable Bus Fares

Motion ref. S7M-00367.1

Submitted by: Graham Simpson, Central Scot and Lothians West, Reform UK . Date lodged: Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Result 23 for, 78 against, 15 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP abstained

Disagreed

Affordable Bus Fares

Motion ref. S7M-00367

Submitted by: Stephen Flynn, Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, June 15, 2026

Supported by: Tom Arthur
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Result 93 for, 26 against, 0 abstained, 10 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motions

Questions

Questions Claire Baker has asked

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

Question reference: S7W-01106

Asked by: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 17 June 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 15 July 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Funding Council regarding oversight of health and safety standards in colleges."

Question reference: S7W-01104

Asked by: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 17 June 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 15 July 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms are in place to ensure that any health and safety concerns raised by staff and students in colleges are appropriately investigated and acted upon."

Question reference: S7W-01100

Asked by: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 17 June 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 15 July 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Health and Safety Executive regarding the reported findings of the unannounced inspection of the welding and fabrication department at City of Glasgow College in December 2025."

Question reference: S7W-01101

Asked by: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 17 June 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 15 July 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the City of Glasgow College and the Scottish Funding Council regarding the reported findings of the unannounced inspection of the welding and fabrication department at the college in December 2025."

Question reference: S7W-01102

Asked by: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 17 June 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 15 July 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to colleges regarding the management of health and safety risks associated with welding fumes and other hazardous substances."

Question reference: S7W-01099

Asked by: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 17 June 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 15 July 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government, what assessment it has made of whether staff in Scotland's colleges have sufficient protections and confidence to raise any workplace health and safety concerns without fear of detriment."

Question reference: S7W-00883

Asked by: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 8 June 2026

Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 16 June 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will evaluate recent research from the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences on the impact of reintroducing large herbivores on the richness and abundance of pollinator species, and whether it has any plans to incorporate these findings into its biodiversity strategy, land-use strategy, and future…

Question reference: S7W-00884

Asked by: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 8 June 2026

Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 16 June 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has undertaken on the use of wild or semi-wild large herbivores as a nature-based tool for insect conservation and habitat restoration."

Question reference: S7W-00995

Asked by: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 June 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 26 June 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness among young people of the risks associated with ketamine use, including that of permanent bladder damage."

Question reference: S7W-00996

Asked by: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 June 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 26 June 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried any recent public health campaigns relating to ketamine use and, if so, what evaluation has been made of their effectiveness."