Scottish National Party
MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith (Constituency) 2016 - present day
Website: benmacpherson.scot/home
X (previously known as Twitter): @BenMacpherson
Facebook: Ben's facebook
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 600 0134
Text relay calls welcome.
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.
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.
11 September 2024 - 25 September 2025
Substitute Member
12 December 2024 - 23 September 2025
Convener
18 June 2024 - 22 September 2025
Member
05 December 2024 - 12 December 2024
Member
05 September 2023 - 11 September 2024
Deputy Convener
05 September 2023 - 17 June 2024
Member
26 April 2023 - 05 September 2023
Deputy Convener
29 June 2023 - 05 September 2023
Member
18 April 2023 - 29 June 2023
Member
18 April 2023 - 29 June 2023
Substitute Member
18 April 2023 - 26 April 2023
Member
19 May 2021 - 29 March 2023
Scottish Government
21 December 2020 - 19 May 2021
Scottish Government
17 February 2020 - 21 December 2020
Scottish Government
28 June 2018 - 17 February 2020
Scottish Government
14 June 2016 - 28 June 2018
Scottish Government
14 June 2016 - 28 June 2018
Scottish Government
06 October 2016 - 28 June 2018
Member
08 June 2016 - 28 June 2018
Member
08 June 2016 - 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.
Here is the register for Ben Macpherson. The date of their initial statement was 24 May 2021.
No registrable interests
On 4 February 2017 myself and a guest attended the Scotland v Ireland match at Murrayfield as hospitality guests of BT Scotland (a telecommunications company of BT Group plc, BT Centre, 81 Newgate Street, London EC1A 7AJ). The combined value of the two tickets was £1390 + VAT.
On 8 August 2025 myself and a guest (a founder of a local charity) attended the Oasis concert at Murrayfield as hospitality guests of Scottish Gas (owned by Centrica plc, an energy company registered in England and Wales at Millstream, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 5GD), who are a significant employer in my constituency. The combined value of the two tickets was £1200 including VAT. [Registered 11 August 2025]
From 3 to 25 February 2024 I visited the United States of America as a participant in the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. I participated in this particular three week professional exchange program with a range of other participants from Europe and Asia, considering various global challenges. The costs of travel, accommodation, meals and other occasional expenses were $9,284 USD (equivalent to £7339, at the closing exchange rate on 29 February 2024) and were met by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State (of 2201 C St., NW Washington, DC 20520, United States of America), an organisation that aims to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through exchange programmes. [Registered 29 February 2024]
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
I am registered on the roll of Scottish Solicitors.
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 16 May 2024]
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: 26 June 2025
Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "We want to support our students and welcome those from abroad, but it is time to signal to purpose-built student accommodation developers that their plans are increasingly unwelcome in communities such as the one that I represent…
Chamber meeting date: 26 June 2025
6. Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of holiday hub provision for children with disabilities and additional support needs in the city of Edinburgh and elsewhere in Scotland. (S6O-04863)"
Criminal Justice Committee meeting date: 25 June 2025
Ben Macpherson: "I thank Ash Regan and her team for being here today and for all the work that they have put into tackling the issue. How do you envisage enforcement being undertaken…
Criminal Justice Committee meeting date: 25 June 2025
Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "First, I reiterate what the convener said about how we all want to tackle domestic abuse in the communities that we represent and in our country as a whole. I commend you for undertaking work to try to improve the situation…
Chamber meeting date: 19 June 2025
4. Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP): "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. (S6O-04819)"
Find out how Ben Macpherson has voted recently.
Submitted by: Liz Smith, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, March 27, 2025
Result 64 for, 1 against, 53 abstained, 10 did not vote
MSP abstained
Agreed
Submitted by: Mairi Gougeon, Angus North and Mearns, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 24, 2025
Supported by: Jim Fairlie
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Result 91 for, 29 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Result 90 for, 30 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Result 70 for, 0 against, 50 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 24, 2025
Supported by: Jamie Hepburn
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Result 108 for, 7 against, 1 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Find out what motions Ben Macpherson has submitted recently.
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:21 May 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 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."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged:14 May 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 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."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged:13 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 14 May 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the Festivals Strategic Partnership since it began in August 2024."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged:16 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 23 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with partners to tackle gang-related crime."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged:26 February 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting Edinburgh’s economy."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged:5 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 25 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32043 by Jenni Minto on 17 December 2024, whether consideration is being given to creating a clinical and third sector stakeholder group to help inform the implementation of the NICE guideline on myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), to be delivered by…
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged:31 January 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 28 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing a statutory duty of care for higher education institutions."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged:29 January 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the economy secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding establishing a standalone postgraduate business school to help create more companies, attract talent and boost innovation."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged:15 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 23 January 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is addressing youth violence, in light of its Youth Violence Summit on 13 January 2025."
Asked by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged:22 January 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 January 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it is engaging with local authorities to enable supply teachers to work in and across a number of different local authority areas."
See all of Ben Macpherson's questions submitted in Parliament