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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Sarah Boyack

Scottish Labour

MSP for Lothian (Region) 2019 - present day

Former MSP for Lothian (Region) 2011 - 2016

Former MSP for Edinburgh Central (Constituency) 1999 - 2011

About Sarah Boyack

Contact details

Contact online

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 6994
Text relay calls welcome.

Committees

Sarah is not a member of any committees

Cross-party groups

Sarah is not a member of any cross-party groups

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Sarah does not have any parliamentary or government roles

Party Roles

Sarah has 3 party roles

Party Spokesperson on Energy

Scottish Labour

Party Spokesperson on Just Transition

Scottish Labour

Party Spokesperson on Net Zero

Scottish Labour

Previous roles

Sarah has had 22 previous roles

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

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on the Constitution

Scottish Labour

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on External Affairs

Scottish Labour

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Culture

Scottish Labour

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Environment

Scottish Labour

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Climate Change

Scottish Labour

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Land Reform

Scottish Labour

02 September 2019 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Local Government

Scottish Labour

06 January 2015 - 23 March 2016

Policy Forum/Manifesto Co-ordinator

Scottish Labour

19 August 2015 - 23 March 2016

Party Spokesperson on Environmental Justice

Scottish Labour

16 December 2014 - 19 August 2015

Party Spokesperson on Rural Development

Scottish Labour

16 December 2014 - 19 August 2015

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Labour

19 December 2011 - 16 December 2014

Party Spokesperson on Local Government

Scottish Labour

19 December 2011 - 16 December 2014

Party Spokesperson on Planning

Scottish Labour

20 May 2011 - 19 December 2011

Party Spokesperson on Rural Development

Scottish Labour

20 May 2011 - 19 December 2011

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Labour

17 September 2007 - 22 March 2011

Party Spokesperson on Rural Development

Scottish Labour

17 September 2007 - 22 March 2011

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Labour

18 May 2007 - 17 September 2007

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Labour

11 January 2007 - 17 May 2007

Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development

Scottish Government

21 March 2001 - 28 November 2001

Minister for Transport and Planning

Scottish Government

02 November 2000 - 21 March 2001

Minister for Transport and Telecommunications

Scottish Government

19 May 1999 - 01 November 2000

Minister for Transport and the Environment

Scottish Government

Register of interests

Sarah'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 Sarah Boyack. The date of their initial statement was 08 June 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

I worked as Head of Public Affairs for the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Sutherland House, 149 St Vincent St, Glasgow G2 5NW, part time for the first three weeks from February 2017, then full time from March 2017. I left the post on 12 July 2019 and was returned to Parliament on 15 July 2019. On 26 July 2019, I received a final salary payment of between £1,001 and £2,000 representing the outstanding salary owed to me.

Gifts

No registrable interests

Overseas visits

No registrable interests

From 16 to 18 October 2024, I visited Stuttgart, Germany to meet with representatives of the energy company, EnBW (Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, Durlacher Allee 93, 76131, Karlsruhe). The purpose of the visit was to find out more about the work done by EnBW in Germany and across the UK to learn lessons for GB Energy, and encourage more investment in Scotland. The programme also included meeting other political parties to discuss resetting and strengthening relationships with the EU. The cost of my accommodation, transport and meals during my time in Germany was £721.50, and was met by EnBW. [Registered 15 November 2024]

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

No registrable interests

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

I am a member of Friends of the Earth Scotland.

I am a Vice President of the European Movement in Scotland.

On 9 August 2024 I attended the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo as a guest of Jason Barrett, CEO of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (1-3 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QB). The cost of the ticket was £445.00. [Registered 3 October 2024]

I worked as a temporary and part time lecturer at Heriot Watt University teaching Planning and Environmental Studies from September 2016 until March 2017.

On 5 December 2023 I received a gift of a food hamper valued at approximately £150 from Community Windpower Ltd (Godscroft Lane, Frodsham, Cheshire, WA6 6XU). The gift was to me as an individual. [Registered 21 December 2023]

I am a member of The Cooperative Party.

I am a member of the Edinburgh Solar COOP.

I am a member of Spokes - The Lothian Cycle Campaign.

I am a member of both Unison and Community Trade Unions.

Recent Activity

What was said

What Sarah Boyack 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.

Ecocide (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting date: 2 December 2025

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "I want to ask about vicarious liability and focus particularly on companies…

Marionville Fire Station (Proposed Closure)

Chamber meeting date: 12 June 2025

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "Will the Scottish Government request that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reconsider its plans to close Marionville fire station, in the light of the recent fire at Cables Wynd house in Leith, the community petition, which now has more than 3,500 signatures, and reports that such plans would weaken fire services in Edinburgh and the Lothians,…

Net Zero Target

Chamber meeting date: 12 June 2025

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "We know that urban and rural communities across Scotland are at risk from extreme weather and the impact of the climate emergency, with homes and businesses now at risk…

Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021 (Implementation)

Chamber meeting date: 12 June 2025

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "Do we not need to support local authorities to work together to deliver low-carbon heat networks? Local authorities are discussing the issue now…

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Statistics 2023

Chamber meeting date: 12 June 2025

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): "I thank the minister for notice of his statement…

Votes

How Sarah Boyack has voted in Parliament

Find out how Sarah Boyack has voted recently.

Scottish Rate Resolution

Motion ref. 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

Business Programme

Motion ref. S6M-20826.1

Submitted by: Douglas Ross, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Result 51 for, 71 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted for

Disagreed

Approval of SSI

Motion ref. 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

A Just Transition Fund for Mossmorran

Motion ref. 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

Ending US Military Use of Scottish Airports

Motion ref. S6M-20819.3

Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Supported by: Graeme Dey
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Result 89 for, 7 against, 27 abstained, 6 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motions

Questions

Questions Sarah Boyack has asked

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

Question reference: S6W-44124

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 9 March 2026

Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 13 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential for so-called zero bill homes of combining the deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, batteries and heat pumps, and whether it will publish any such analysis."

Question reference: S6W-44125

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 9 March 2026

Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 13 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether its heat decarbonisation policy supports the deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, alongside batteries and heat pumps."

Question reference: S6W-44075

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 5 March 2026

Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 13 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the cumulative removal of specialist deaf-led provision in Edinburgh."

Question reference: S6W-44122

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 9 March 2026

Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 13 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government, should any Barnett consequential funding arise from the forthcoming UK Warm Homes Plan, whether it plans to use that funding to support solar and battery deployment programmes."

Question reference: S6W-44121

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 9 March 2026

Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 13 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding any potential Barnett consequential funding arising from the forthcoming UK Warm Homes Plan, and whether it will publish any records of those discussions."

Question reference: S6W-44362

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that some landlords applying to the First Tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber) to seek an eviction order face at least a six-month wait for their case to be heard."

Question reference: S6W-44341

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what seed funding has been allocated to the Scottish Marine Recovery fund in its Budget 2026-27 to allow its establishment."

Question reference: S6W-44342

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Marine Recovery Fund is expected to be accessible for renewable energy developers."

Question reference: S6W-44340

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in the establishment of the Scottish Marine Recovery Fund."

Question reference: S6W-44343

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what timelines officials are working towards to ensure that the Scottish Marine Recovery Fund is set up and accessible as soon as possible, and specifically, what progress has been made in identifying a suitable quantum of measures that will be operationally deliverable."