Graham Simpson
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Central Scotland (Region) 2016 - present day
About Graham Simpson
Contact details
Contact online
Email: [email protected]
X (previously known as Twitter): @grahamsmsp
Facebook: Graham's facebook
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 6983
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at local office
Room 35-36, Airdrie Business Centre
1 Chapel Lane
Airdrie
ML6 6GX
Committees
Graham is a member of 2 committees
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Substitute Member
Public Audit Committee
Member
Cross-party groups
Graham is a member of 11 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Aviation
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Beer and Pubs
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Construction
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Credit Unions
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Germany
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Housing
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Islands
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Life Sciences
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Maritime and Shipbuilding
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Sustainable Transport
Convener
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Graham does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Graham has 3 party roles
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Energy
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Net Zero
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Transport
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Previous roles
Graham has had 23 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
29 June 2023 - 08 February 2024
Local Government Housing and Planning Committee
Substitute Member
08 September 2021 - 29 June 2023
Constitution Europe External Affairs and Culture Committee
Substitute Member
22 September 2022 - 29 June 2023
Economy and Fair Work Committee
Member
17 June 2021 - 22 September 2022
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Member
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Transport
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Infrastructure
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Connectivity
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
20 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Substitute Member
27 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Public Audit and Postlegislative Scrutiny Committee
Deputy Convener
16 December 2020 - 04 May 2021
Economy Energy and Fair Work Committee
Member
20 August 2020 - 27 August 2020
Public Audit and Postlegislative Scrutiny Committee
Member
08 June 2016 - 20 August 2020
Local Government and Communities Committee
Member
25 February 2020 - 20 August 2020
Social Security Committee
Member
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Party Spokesperson on Housing
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Party Spokesperson on Communities
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Party Spokesperson on Social Security
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
05 September 2017 - 25 February 2020
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Convener
05 September 2017 - 25 February 2020
conveners group
Member
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Housing
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
03 September 2019 - 18 February 2020
Party Spokesperson on Planning
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
28 June 2017 - 03 September 2019
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Communities
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
29 June 2017 - 05 September 2017
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Member
26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Local Government
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Register of interests
Graham'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 Graham Simpson. The date of their initial statement was 14 May 2021.
Remuneration and related undertaking
No registrable interests
Gifts
On 3 June 2023 I accepted a hospitality ticket to watch the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Stadium from the transport provider First Group (of 8th Floor, The Point, 37 North Wharf Road London W2 1AF). The value of the package was £500. [Registered 5 June 2023]
Overseas visits
From 4 July to 8 July 2022 I visited Munich and Berlin, Germany, as part of a cross-Party delegation from the Scottish Parliament, meeting Parliamentarians, public officials and business representatives, as a guest of the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The costs of the visit, including travel, accommodation, meals and translation services amounted to £1460 and were paid by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (a political research foundation of Munich, Germany). [Registered 1 August 2022]
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
No registrable interests
Recent Activity
What was said
What Graham Simpson 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: 18 April 2024
Climate Change Committee Scotland Report
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "This is an admission of failure. I am astonished that the two Green Party ministers have not resigned in disgust, but there they are, sat on the front bench. The cabinet secretary describes—Interruption. I cannot even hear myself talk."
Chamber meeting date: 18 April 2024
Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council Bill: Stage 1
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "I also congratulate Mark Griffin on getting his bill to this stage, because getting a member’s bill through the system is no easy matter. It is time-consuming and can be frustrating, so he has done really well…
Public Audit Committee meeting date: 18 April 2024
Auditor General for Scotland (Work Programme)
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "I am looking for some clarification on that issue. Auditor General, you said that you will start that work when the vessels are launched. Do you mean when the vessels are in service?"
Chamber meeting date: 16 April 2024
Automated Vehicles Bill
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "Will the member take an intervention?"
Chamber meeting date: 28 March 2024
Rail Travel (Safety)
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "Surely, if there are developments on the issue, the cabinet secretary should tell us what they are. After all, she is the Cabinet Secretary for Transport. Will those developments please the RMT?"
Votes
How Graham Simpson has voted in Parliament
Find out how Graham Simpson has voted recently.
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Angela Constance, Almond Valley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, April 22, 2024
Supported by: Siobhian Brown
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Result 60 for, 0 against, 62 abstained, 7 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council Bill
Submitted by: Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, April 18, 2024
Result 20 for, 95 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Business Programme
Submitted by: Meghan Gallacher, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Alexander Burnett, Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle, Russell Findlay, Pam Gosal, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Liam Kerr, Douglas Ross, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Result 53 for, 60 against, 5 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: George Adam, Paisley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Result 88 for, 28 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Repealing the Hate Crime Act
Submitted by: Russell Findlay, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, April 15, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Result 64 for, 29 against, 25 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Graham Simpson in Parliament
Find out what motions Graham Simpson has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Graham Simpson has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure greater low-carbon connectivity to Scottish airports, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 27 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to meet the Climate Change Committee’s reported recommendation that the annual rate of transport emissions reduction will need to be almost four times higher from 2021-30 than it was from 2012-21, in order to meet the sector’s contribution to the Scottish Government’s 2020 Climate Change…
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 19 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will explore options to address the reported rise in van traffic, which "has risen faster than that of any other vehicle type in the past 20 years", in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 19 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how it will assist Scottish airports in developing the infrastructure required for aviation decarbonisation, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to provide details on how it will purchase low-emission aircrafts, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to set out how the aviation sector will decarbonise in line with Scotland’s emissions targets, while managing technology risks, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a plan for meeting its commitment for 30% of Scottish Government-managed ferries to be low-emission by 2032, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 2 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason bus travel reportedly receives less funding than rail travel when it is the most popular form of public transport, according to the Scottish Transport Statistics 2023."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 2 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it plans to meet its target of achieving a 20% reduction in car kilometres travelled by 2030, in light of 47…
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 2 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to subsidised bus travel for people in employment."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 April 2024
See all of Graham Simpson's questions submitted in Parliament