Rhoda Grant
Scottish Labour
MSP for Highlands and Islands (Region) 2007 - present day
Former MSP for Highlands and Islands (Region) 1999 - 2003
About Rhoda Grant
Contact details
Contact online
Email: [email protected]
Website: rhodagrant.org.uk
X (previously known as Twitter): @rhodagrant
Facebook: Rhoda's facebook
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5766
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at local office
3 Gordon Terrace
Inverness
IV2 3HD
Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.
Committees
Rhoda is a member of 2 committees
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
Rhoda is a member of 15 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Crofting
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Food
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Funerals and Bereavement
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Gaelic
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Human Trafficking
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Islands
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Men's Violence Against Women and Children
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Poverty
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scotch Whisky
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Social Enterprise
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Taiwan
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Tibet
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Rhoda does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Rhoda has 3 party roles
Party Spokesperson on Islands
Scottish Labour
Party Spokesperson on Land Reform
Scottish Labour
Party Spokesperson on Rural Affairs
Scottish Labour
Previous roles
Rhoda has had 59 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
22 September 2021 - 25 April 2023
Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Substitute Member
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Land Reform
Scottish Labour
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Islands
Scottish Labour
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Chief Whip
Scottish Labour
19 January 2023 - 31 January 2023
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Substitute Member
01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy
Scottish Labour
01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Tourism
Scottish Labour
25 February 2020 - 04 May 2021
Finance and Constitution Committee
Substitute Member
26 November 2020 - 04 May 2021
Justice Committee
Member
02 December 2020 - 04 May 2021
Justice SubCommittee on Policing
Member
16 November 2020 - 01 March 2021
Party Spokesperson on Justice
Scottish Labour
05 May 2020 - 25 November 2020
Economy Energy and Fair Work Committee
Member
28 April 2020 - 16 November 2020
Party Spokesperson on Eradication of Poverty and Social Inequality
Scottish Labour
10 September 2019 - 05 May 2020
Economy Energy and Fair Work Committee
Substitute Member
02 September 2019 - 28 April 2020
Party Spokesperson on Finance
Scottish Labour
10 September 2019 - 05 February 2020
Finance and Constitution Committee
Substitute Member
25 June 2019 - 30 October 2019
Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
Appointed Member
09 January 2018 - 10 September 2019
Equalities and Human Rights Committee
Substitute Member
23 April 2019 - 10 September 2019
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Substitute Member
09 January 2018 - 10 September 2019
Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Substitute Member
04 October 2018 - 02 September 2019
Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy
Scottish Labour
03 June 2019 - 02 September 2019
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
01 November 2018 - 20 November 2018
Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Member
21 December 2017 - 22 October 2018
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
19 December 2017 - 04 October 2018
Party Spokesperson on Parliamentary Business
Scottish Labour
19 December 2017 - 04 October 2018
Party Spokesperson on Women and Equality
Scottish Labour
08 June 2016 - 09 January 2018
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Member
25 May 2016 - 19 December 2017
Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy
Scottish Labour
25 May 2016 - 19 December 2017
Party Spokesperson on Telecommunications
Scottish Labour
06 January 2015 - 23 March 2016
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Health
Scottish Labour
24 August 2015 - 23 March 2016
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Equal Opportunities
Scottish Labour
24 August 2015 - 23 March 2016
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Welfare
Scottish Labour
24 August 2015 - 23 March 2016
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Care
Scottish Labour
24 August 2015 - 23 March 2016
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Social Inclusion
Scottish Labour
03 September 2013 - 23 March 2016
Health and Sport Committee
Member
07 October 2015 - 23 March 2016
Equal Opportunities Committee
Substitute Member
06 January 2015 - 24 August 2015
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Sport
Scottish Labour
01 June 2011 - 03 September 2013
Economy Energy and Tourism Committee
Member
20 December 2011 - 10 July 2013
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Tourism
Scottish Labour
20 December 2011 - 10 July 2013
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Energy
Scottish Labour
20 December 2011 - 10 July 2013
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Enterprise
Scottish Labour
23 June 2011 - 21 May 2013
Health and Sport Committee
Substitute Member
20 May 2011 - 20 December 2011
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Finance
Scottish Labour
20 May 2011 - 20 December 2011
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Infrastructure
Scottish Labour
17 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Deputy Whip
Scottish Labour
05 November 2009 - 22 March 2011
Equal Opportunities Committee
Substitute Member
05 November 2009 - 22 March 2011
Subordinate Legislation Committee
Member
30 April 2009 - 22 March 2011
Health and Sport Committee
Member
02 October 2008 - 04 November 2009
Rural Affairs and Environment Committee
Substitute Member
24 September 2008 - 20 April 2009
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Rural Development
Scottish Labour
24 September 2008 - 20 April 2009
Deputy Party Spokesperson on the Economy
Scottish Labour
27 June 2007 - 01 October 2008
Local Government and Communities Committee
Substitute Member
20 September 2007 - 01 October 2008
Health and Sport Committee
Member
13 June 2007 - 01 October 2008
Public Petitions Committee
Member
26 February 2002 - 31 March 2003
Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Minister for Social Justice
Scottish Government
08 January 2001 - 31 March 2003
Rural Development Committee
Member
08 January 2001 - 31 March 2003
Public Petitions Committee
Member
17 June 1999 - 07 January 2001
Rural Affairs Committee
Member
17 June 1999 - 07 January 2001
Finance Committee
Member
Register of interests
Rhoda'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 Rhoda Grant. The date of their initial statement was 18 May 2021.
Remuneration and related undertaking
No registrable interests
Gifts
On 1 July 2022 I received two tickets from Inverness Caledonian Thistle (a Football Club of Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Stadium Road, Inverness IV1 1FF) for the Andrea Bocelli - Believe World Tour. The value of the tickets was £330. [Registered 4 July 2022]
Overseas visits
From 6 to 7 March 2023 I attended and spoke at a side event at the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York. I was invited to speak as Convener of the Cross Party Group on Human Trafficking and co-convenor of the Cross Party Group on Commercial Sexual Exploitation. The cost of the trip was £535.25 for accommodation and overnight costs and 2,559.57 Euros for flights, which is equivalent to approximately £2,256.68. All costs were met by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (of Wallnerstrasse 6, 1010 Vienna, Austria), an intergovernmental regional security organisation with observer status at the United Nations. [Registered 14 March 2023]
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
I own a sixth share of a house in Lewis with a market value of between £100,001 and £150,000. The gross income is up to £5,000 per annum. The property is occupied by one of the co-owners and the income is used to cover the property maintenance costs. [Amended interest 15 June 2023]
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
I received on bottle of whisky from the Scotch Whisky Association, the nominal value for the COP26 Limited Edition Blended Scotch Whisky to be £30, although it is not for commercial sale. [Registered 16 December 2021]
I am a member of the Co-Operative Party MSP Group.
I am a member of Unison.
Until 22 March 2023 I was a Director of the North Applecross Woodlands Company Limited. There was no remuneration attached to the post. [Amended interest 3 July 2023, Ceased interest 3 July 2023]
I received £100 from Unison as a contribution to my regional list selection campaign.
I am the Vice Chair of Friends of the Far North Line. This is an honorary position for which I receive no remuneration.
Since July 2023, I have employed an intern for four days per week. Since September, the intern has attended the CARE (Christian Action Research and Education) education and training Leadership Programme outside of his time employed by me. [Registered 14 September 2023]
Between 26 and 29 April 2023, I attended and spoke at a United Nations conference in Dubrovnik entitled “Reducing Demand for Sexual Exploitation of Trafficking Victims in South-Eastern Europe: Commitment to Comprehensive Action”. The total cost of the visit, including travel, accommodation and subsistence, came to £1,388.34 and was met by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime - Human trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section, Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch. [Registered 11 May 2023]
From 29 September 2020 until 22 July 2021, I was in receipt of the services of an intern. The intern received a bursary from CARE (Christian Action Research and Education), for the educational component of its Leadership Programme only, and provided services separately to me in their own time. I paid for their services, for seven hours per week, between April and July 2021 and the intern was a self-funded volunteer for the rest of the placement. [Amended interest, 4 July 2022; Amended interest, 18 July 2022]
I am a member of the Co-Operative Party.
Between 10 and 13 May 2022, I attended and spoke at a United Nations conference entitled "Improving response to trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation especially women and girls, through addressing demand in South-Eastern Europe". The total cost of the visit, including travel, accommodation and subsistence, came to £1,184 and was met by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime - Human trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section, Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch. [Registered 28 July 2022]
Recent Activity
What was said
What Rhoda Grant 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: 27 March 2024
Capital Spending Review
7. Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "To ask the Scottish Government when its review of capital spending will be complete. (S6O-03274)"
Chamber meeting date: 27 March 2024
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "I thank the clerks and staff of the committee and all those who gave evidence during stage 1 consideration of the bill. This is rightly an enabling bill, because it needs to adapt to future circumstances…
Chamber meeting date: 27 March 2024
Ferguson Marine (Chief Executive)
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "We are rightly critical of the scandal that is costing the taxpayer £400 million, but the people who are paying the biggest price for the latest delay are the islanders who will endure yet another summer of chaos and disruption…
Chamber meeting date: 21 March 2024
GP Surgery Closures (Highlands and Islands)
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "I, too, thank Douglas Ross for bringing this debate to the chamber, and I join him and the other speakers in commending the work of the save our surgeries group’s campaign…
Chamber meeting date: 21 March 2024
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): "I, too, thank the clerks to the committee, all those who work for the committee and all those who gave evidence on the bill. I also thank the parliamentary staff who stayed late on Tuesday night to allow us to get through the stage 3 amendments…
Votes
How Rhoda Grant has voted in Parliament
Find out how Rhoda Grant has voted recently.
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, February 12, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Result 89 for, 0 against, 31 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Supported by: Natalie Don, Jenny Gilruth
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 69 for, 49 against, 1 abstained, 10 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Supported by: Clare Adamson, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 22 for, 97 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 31 for, 69 against, 20 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Defeated
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Jim Fairlie, Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 18, 2024
Supported by: Mairi Gougeon
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, March 21, 2024
Result 85 for, 30 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Rhoda Grant in Parliament
Find out what motions Rhoda Grant has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Rhoda Grant has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the (a) Keeper of the Registers of Scotland and the (b) King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer (KLTR) in relation to the reported application to register a title to the MacLeod Estate, including the Cuillin, in the Land Register, and whether it will consider applying to…
Answer expected on 26 April 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 12 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when the peer review of NHS Western Isles patient escort process will be published."
Answered by Neil Gray on 22 March 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 20 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when its review of capital spending will be complete."
Taken in the Chamber on 27 March 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 1 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential public expenditure or contingent liability implications for its Budget to de-risk or otherwise sufficiently underwrite private investment in nature sufficient to deliver private investment at the scale of (a) £5 billion, (b) £10 billion and (c) £15 billion…
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 13 March 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 6 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when the consultation on crofting reform legislation will be launched."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 12 March 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 1 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of degraded peatland requiring restoration is on land that is within crofting tenure, and what the approximate acreage is of such land."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 11 March 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 28 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what creative approaches it is taking towards identifying and treating people with hepatitis C, as set out in the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Action Plan 2023-2026."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 11 March 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 26 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the 2020 opinion of the Court of Session regarding the respective rights of the landowner of a common grazing and the crofters in relation to the use of the land, whether it plans to take action to ensure that crofters can (a) carry out peatland restoration on common grazings and (b) have ownership of any…
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 9 March 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 1 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government to what extent meeting its tree planting targets depends upon land under crofting tenure, and what proportion of land with planting potential is assessed to be within crofting tenure."
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 8 March 2024
Asked by: Grant, Rhoda, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 9 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce consultations on (a) applying a cap to fishing activity in inshore waters and (b) the management of marine protected areas, and how it will conduct both of these consultations in a way that ensures that those affected understand the proposals and are able to take part in the consultation in a…
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 6 March 2024