Martin Whitfield
Scottish Labour
MSP for South Scotland (Region) 2021 - present day
About Martin Whitfield
Contact details
Contact online
Website: martinwhitfieldmsp.com
X (previously known as Twitter): @_MWhitfield
Facebook: Martin's facebook
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5827
Text relay calls welcome.
Committees
Martin is a member of 2 committees
Education, Children and Young People Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
Martin is a member of 1 cross-party group
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on St Andrew's Day
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Martin has 2 parliamentary and government roles
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
Conveners Group
Member
Party Roles
Martin has 3 party roles
Business Manager
Scottish Labour
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Children
Scottish Labour
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Young People
Scottish Labour
Previous roles
Martin has had 3 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Lifelong Learning
Scottish Labour
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Youth Employment
Scottish Labour
17 June 2021 - 22 June 2021
Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Member
Register of interests
Martin'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 Martin Whitfield 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 June 2024
Primary Care (Areas of Population Growth)
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab): "Three weeks ago, I asked the Deputy First Minister—who is in her place in the chamber—about the funding situation in Prestonpans group practice…
Chamber meeting date: 27 June 2024
Standing Order Rule Changes (Legislative Consent)
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab): "I extend my apologies to the cabinet secretaries and ministers who are awaiting appointment as I bring to the chamber the results of the fourth report from my committee, which has led to motion S6M-13746…
Chamber meeting date: 27 June 2024
Minister and Junior Minister
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab): "As others have done, I send my best wishes to Màiri McAllan and Iain for the arrival of what will be a bundle of joy that will take up all the time that they have…
Chamber meeting date: 27 June 2024
Standing Order Rule Changes (Legislative Consent)
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab): "I extend my apologies to the cabinet secretaries and ministers who are awaiting appointment as I bring to the chamber the results of the fourth report from my committee, which has led to motion S6M-13746…
Chamber meeting date: 27 June 2024
Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill: Stage 1
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab): "As convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, it is my pleasure to speak on behalf of the committee. It is an opportune time to debate electoral law…
Votes
How Martin Whitfield has voted in Parliament
Find out how Martin Whitfield has voted recently.
Scottish Government Priorities: Tackling the Climate Emergency
Submitted by: Douglas Lumsden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 50 for, 68 against, 0 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP voted for
Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, June 24, 2024
Supported by: Màiri McAllan
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 116 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted for
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 68 for, 0 against, 46 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP abstained
Scottish Government Priorities: Tackling the Climate Emergency
Submitted by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 58 for, 59 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote
MSP voted for
Scottish Government Priorities: Tackling the Climate Emergency
Submitted by: Patrick Harvie, Glasgow, Scottish Green Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Supported by: Mark Ruskell
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 8 for, 108 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted against
Motions
Motions made by Martin Whitfield in Parliament
Find out what motions Martin Whitfield has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Martin Whitfield has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 22 July 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are being implemented to provide disability equality training to childcare providers, in order to ensure that they can meet the needs of disabled children effectively."
Answer expected on 19 August 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 22 July 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support disabled parents in accessing childcare services in order to ensure that they can participate fully in the labour market and community life."
Answer expected on 19 August 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 22 July 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how it is working to integrate inclusive education policies with accessible childcare initiatives to create a cohesive support system for disabled children from early years through to school age"
Answer expected on 19 August 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 22 July 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that childcare services are accessible to disabled children and their families, particularly in relation to (a) physical accessibility and (b) availability of specialised care."
Answer expected on 19 August 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 22 July 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for increasing investment in accessible childcare facilities for disabled children, and how any such plans align with the recommendations from the Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA) Manifesto 2024."
Answer expected on 19 August 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many nurseries have cancelled their registrations with the Care Inspectorate since 2016."
Answered by Natalie Don on 12 June 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what long-term strategies are being developed to ensure the financial viability and sustainability of nurseries."
Answered by Natalie Don on 11 June 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many nurseries have closed since 2016, broken down by local authority area."
Answered by Natalie Don on 11 June 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what early warning systems are in place to identify any nurseries that are at risk of closure due to financial difficulties or staffing shortages."
Answered by Natalie Don on 11 June 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 3 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains its position to have a target of 60% of household waste recycled annually by 2020, in light of reports that the target is being dropped."
Taken in the Chamber on 4 June 2024
See all of Martin Whitfield's questions submitted in Parliament