Skip to main content
Loading…

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

Image description

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

26 April 2023 - 05 September 2023

Education Children and Young People Committee

Deputy Convener

29 June 2023 - 05 September 2023

Net Zero Energy and Transport Committee

Member

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.

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: 12 June 2025

Seafield Waste Water Treatment Works (Investment)

3. Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "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 private finance initiative contract ends, to meet the needs of population growth, climate change…

Chamber meeting date: 10 June 2025

Building Cladding Remediation (Update)

Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "Will the minister outline further details of the next phase of the £10 million scheme and when it will be reopened…

Chamber meeting date: 5 June 2025

Film and Television Production

4. Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is supporting film and TV production in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland. (S6F-04160)"

Chamber meeting date: 4 June 2025

Festivals (Economic Importance)

Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "Does the cabinet secretary agree that local events, such as the Leith festival, the north Edinburgh community festival, the Newhaven gala and other, similar gatherings around the country play an important role in promoting small businesses, supporting artists and community groups, and helping to foster a sense of community cohesion and pride?"

Chamber meeting date: 4 June 2025

Assaults (Teenagers)

Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "It is widely understood that good youth work and innovative initiatives can have a positive impact on young people who may be engaged in violence or drawn into it…

Votes

How Ben Macpherson has voted in Parliament

Find out how Ben Macpherson has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-17906.1

A Migration System that Works for Scotland

Submitted by: Liz Smith, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 12, 2025

Result 24 for, 84 against, 0 abstained, 21 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-17906.2

A Migration System that Works for Scotland

Submitted by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 12, 2025

Result 19 for, 62 against, 27 abstained, 21 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-17906

A Migration System that Works for Scotland

Submitted by: Kate Forbes, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Supported by: Tom Arthur, Richard Lochhead, Paul McLennan, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Kaukab Stewart
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 12, 2025

Result 67 for, 42 against, 0 abstained, 20 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-17895

Approval of SSI

Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Result 85 for, 32 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-17862

Planning

Submitted by: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, June 9, 2025

Supported by: Foysol Choudhury, Katy Clark
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Result 91 for, 1 against, 21 abstained, 16 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. 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. 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."

Answer expected on 18 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

Question ref. S6W-37650

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 13 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the Festivals Strategic Partnership since it began in August 2024."

Answered by Angus Robertson on 14 May 2025

Question ref. S6O-04559

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 16 April 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with partners to tackle gang-related crime."

Answered by Angela Constance on 23 April 2025

Question ref. S6W-34325

Asked by: Macpherson, Ben, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 31 January 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing a statutory duty of care for higher education institutions."

Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 February 2025

Share this page