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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

Image description

Kate Forbes

Scottish National Party

MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch (Constituency) 2016 - present day

About Kate Forbes

Contact details

Contact online

X (previously known as Twitter): @_kateforbes

Facebook: Kate's facebook

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Contact at local office

12 High Street
Dingwall
IV15 9RU

Phone: 01349 863 888
Text relay calls welcome.

Committees

Kate is not a member of any committees

Cross-party groups

Kate is not a member of any cross-party groups

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Kate has 1 parliamentary and government role

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic

Scottish Government

Party Roles

Kate does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Kate has had 13 previous roles

Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.

29 June 2023 - 10 May 2024

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Member

29 June 2023 - 10 May 2024

Constitution Europe External Affairs and Culture Committee

Member

19 May 2021 - 28 March 2023

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy

Scottish Government

18 February 2020 - 19 May 2021

Cabinet Secretary for Finance

Scottish Government

28 June 2018 - 18 February 2020

Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy

Scottish Government

14 June 2016 - 28 June 2018

parliamentaryLiaisonOfficerToTheCabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution

Scottish Government

19 April 2018 - 28 June 2018

Health and Sport Committee

Member

29 September 2016 - 28 June 2018

Culture Tourism Europe and External Relations Committee

Substitute Member

19 April 2018 - 28 June 2018

Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

Member

08 June 2016 - 19 April 2018

Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee

Member

07 November 2017 - 19 April 2018

Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Member

07 September 2016 - 29 September 2016

European and External Relations Committee

Substitute Member

08 June 2016 - 06 September 2016

Finance Committee

Member

Register of interests

Kate'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 Kate Forbes. The date of their initial statement was 07 June 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

No registrable interests

Gifts

On 24 February 2018 I attended the Scotland v England match at Murrayfield as a guest of Liberty Steel (a steel manufacturer of Dalzell Works, Park Street, Motherwell, ML1 1PU). The value of this was approximately £600.

On 24 February 2024 I and my husband attended the Scotland vs England Calcutta Cup match as guests of Heineken UK Ltd (a beverage producer, of 3 Broadway Pk, S Gyle Broadway, Edinburgh EH12 9JZ). The total cost of the tickets was £400. [Registered 14 March 2024]

Overseas visits

From 9 to 18 February 2018 I was part of a Tearfund humanitarian delegation travelling to Nepal to learn how projects in relation to child trafficking, earthquake relief and flood prevention are transforming lives. The costs of the visit amounted to £1,700 and were met by Tearfund Scotland (a Christian charity of 29 Canal St, Glasgow G4 0AD).

On 21 to 24 October 2019 I travelled to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA to give several lectures at the University of the North Carolina. The costs of the visit were approximately £1,200 and were met by Scottish Heritage USA (an organisation that recognises and enhances the original bonds of ancestral and national character among the peoples of Scotland and North America of 315 North Page Road, Building 2, Suite 10, Pinehurst, NC 28370).

On 9 October 2023 I gave a series of lectures to students at Wheaton College, Illinois, USA on the subjects of women in politics, the Scottish and British electoral systems and the current state of Scottish and British politics. I arrived on 6 October 2023 and departed on 10 October 2023. The College (of 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, Illinois) paid the approximate costs of £4000 for travel, accommodation and subsistence for me, my husband and my daughter. I do not consider that this visit meets the political activities test. [Registered 6 November 2023]

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

No registrable interests

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

On 4 June 2021, I and my partner were guests on board the MV Seaflower as part of a visit to the Isle of Rona in my constituency at the invitation of the owner’s uncle, Mr Campbell Grant. This visit was an ordinary part of the company’s daily tours. The market price per person for travel and lunch is £120, so the full value of the visit was £240. [Registered 30 June 2021]

On 21 November 2021 I attended the Scotland v Japan match at Murrayfield, as a guest of Sir Peter Vardy, with my husband and step-daughter. The value of each ticket was approximately £48, creating a total value of £144. [Registered 11 December 2021]

Two of my close family members are joint shareholders in a business which runs a bed and breakfast. I do not participate in or receive an income from the business. [Registered 5 June 2024]

From 9 to 13 November 2023 I attended a conference in Liverpool as a delegate to develop and grow professional transatlantic relationships with a focus on tackling prejudice and hate. The costs, which were met by British-American Project (a not for profit leadership network, of British-American Project UK, UK Correspondence PO Box 3682, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1PY) and include accommodation and hospitality, are estimated at a value of £1700. I do not consider that this visit meets the prejudice test or the political activities test. [Registered 29 November 2023]

Recent Activity

What was said

What Kate Forbes 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: 19 June 2025

Alexander Dennis Ltd

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes): "This statement concerns the announcement that was made last week by Alexander Dennis Ltd—ADL—regarding a new strategy for its United Kingdom manufacturing operations…

Chamber meeting date: 18 June 2025

Defence Sector (Economic Contribution)

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes): "I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion…

Chamber meeting date: 17 June 2025

Scottish Languages Bill: Stage 3

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes): "Although this group will take slightly longer to deal with, and my remarks will therefore be longer than for the other groups, it is appropriate that we start the stage 3 process with the areas of linguistic significance, because that remains one of the most significant elements of the bill. It is therefore good to start with that. I welcome the…

Chamber meeting date: 17 June 2025

Scottish Languages Bill

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes): "’S ann tro ghealladh Bile nan Cànan Albannach ùr a thoirt air adhart a thòisich am pròiseas pàrlamaid seo…

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee meeting date: 17 June 2025

British Sign Language Inquiry

Kate Forbes (Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic): "Thanks, convener, and thanks to the committee for having us here and for taking the time to do an inquiry into the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015…

Votes

How Kate Forbes has voted in Parliament

Find out how Kate Forbes has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-16789

Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill

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

Motion ref. S6M-16892

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

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

Motion ref. S6M-16960

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution

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

Motion ref. S6M-16942

Approval of SSI

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

Motion ref. S6M-16923

Scotland – A Fair Trade Nation

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

Motions

Questions

Questions Kate Forbes has asked

These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.

Question reference: S6O-03714

Asked by: Kate Forbes, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:25 June 2024

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 July 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government TEST TEST"

Question reference: S6O-03630

Asked by: Kate Forbes, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:11 June 2024

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 June 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government TEST"

Question reference: S6O-03449

Asked by: Kate Forbes, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:8 May 2024

Question reference: S6O-03393

Asked by: Kate Forbes, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:1 May 2024

Question reference: S6O-03444

Asked by: Kate Forbes, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:26 April 2024

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 May 2024

"TATSG something about social care"

Question reference: S6O-03372

Asked by: Kate Forbes, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:24 April 2024

Question reference: S6O-03269

Asked by: Kate Forbes, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:20 March 2024

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 March 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government how it has allocated the funding raised through ScotWind option fees in the 2024-25 Scottish Budget."

Question reference: S6O-03253

Asked by: Kate Forbes, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:14 March 2024

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 March 2024

"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an update on its plans to increase access to childcare in the creche beyond three hours per day."

Question reference: S6O-03246

Asked by: Kate Forbes, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:13 March 2024

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 March 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the voices of Highland communities are appropriately considered by the Energy Consents Unit when assessing applications from developers."

Question reference: S6O-03190

Asked by: Kate Forbes, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:6 March 2024

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 March 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Highland about progressing planning and design work for the new Belford Hospital in Fort William."

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