MSP for Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith (Constituency)
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5787
Text relay calls welcome.
34 Constitution Street
Leith
Edinburgh
EH6 6RS
Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.
Scottish National Party
MSP for Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith (Constituency)
07 May 2026 to present
Scottish National Party
Former MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith (Constituency)
05 May 2016 to 08 Apr 2026
Scottish Government
Find out more about the Cabinet and Ministers at the Scottish Government website.
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
23 September 2025 to 20 May 2026
Scottish Government
11 September 2024 to 25 September 2025
Substitute Member
12 December 2024 to 23 September 2025
Convener
18 June 2024 to 22 September 2025
Member
12 December 2024 to 22 September 2025
Member
05 December 2024 to 12 December 2024
Member
05 September 2023 to 11 September 2024
Deputy Convener
05 September 2023 to 17 June 2024
Member
26 April 2023 to 05 September 2023
Deputy Convener
29 June 2023 to 05 September 2023
Member
18 April 2023 to 29 June 2023
Member
18 April 2023 to 29 June 2023
Substitute Member
18 April 2023 to 26 April 2023
Member
19 May 2021 to 29 March 2023
Scottish Government
21 December 2020 to 19 May 2021
Scottish Government
17 February 2020 to 21 December 2020
Scottish Government
28 June 2018 to 17 February 2020
Scottish Government
14 June 2016 to 28 June 2018
Scottish Government
14 June 2016 to 28 June 2018
Scottish Government
06 October 2016 to 28 June 2018
Member
08 June 2016 to 28 June 2018
Member
08 June 2016 to 28 June 2018
Member
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.
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: 10 June 2026
The Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education (Ben Macpherson): "Considering the points that Q Manivannan has made, will they also share my praise for the programme and celebrate the fact that a second series of “Dept Q” is being filmed on the north-eastern side of Edinburgh, which is creating opportunities and showcasing more of Scotland to the world?"
Chamber meeting date: 27 May 2026
The Minister for Higher and Further Education (Ben Macpherson): "The Official Report is a written record of what was said in public meetings ofrliament and in committee meetings. It is a substantially verbatim report. This means that repetitions and redundancies are omitted and obvious mistakes are corrected…
Chamber meeting date: 27 May 2026
The Minister for Higher and Further Education (Ben Macpherson): "The Official Report is a written record of what was said in public meetings ofrliament and in committee meetings. It is a substantially verbatim report. This means that repetitions and redundancies are omitted and obvious mistakes are corrected…
Chamber meeting date: 14 May 2026
Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP): "In order to represent my constituents and serve the common good and the people of Scotland, I, Ben Macpherson, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law."
Chamber meeting date: 25 March 2026
The Minister for Higher and Further Education (Ben Macpherson): "The member is right to emphasise that, because of the additional resource that the Scottish Government has provided to our college sector, the board of Forth Valley College has confirmed that the Alloa campus will remain open for the academic year 2026-27.In January, using the Scottish Government’s convening power, and working with the college…
Read all of Ben Macpherson's contributions in the Debating Chamber
Find out how Ben Macpherson has voted recently.
Motion reference: S6M-13901
Submitted by: Meghan Gallacher, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Supported by: Ash Regan, Paul Sweeney, Tess White
Current status:
Result 2 for, 2 against, 2 abstained, 0 did not vote
MSP abstained
Disagreed
Motion reference: S6M-20844
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Supported by: Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 19, 2026
Result 93 for, 29 against, 1 abstained, 6 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Motion reference: S6M-20826.1
Submitted by: Douglas Ross, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Supported by: Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Stephen Kerr, Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, Edward Mountain, Oliver Mundell, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Result 51 for, 71 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote
MSP voted against
Disagreed
Motion reference: S6M-20827
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Result 112 for, 7 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Motion reference: S6M-20820.2
Submitted by: Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Supported by: Alex Rowley, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Result 93 for, 28 against, 1 abstained, 7 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Find out what motions Ben Macpherson has submitted recently.
Motion reference: S6M-19027
Motion reference: S6M-18936
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 17 September 2025
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 16 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 17 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what actions have been taken to address the recommendations in the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry Interim Report: The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Edinburgh."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 29 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 11 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what consideration it has given to including education in the school curriculum on the risks of methanol poisoning from counterfeit or contaminated alcohol, in light of reports of people being poisoned while on holiday abroad."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 19 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 20 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its improved methodology for the climate change taxonomy for its Budget 2025-26."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 18 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 19 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out its policy position on coal extraction in Scotland."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 18 June 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of holiday hub provision for children with disabilities and ASN in the City of Edinburgh and elsewhere in Scotland."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 4 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 17 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."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 11 June 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 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."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 4 June 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 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…
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 2 June 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 June 2025
"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is supporting film and TV production in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland."
See all of Ben Macpherson's questions submitted in Parliament