Kate Forbes
Scottish National Party
MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch (Constituency) 2016 - present day
About Kate Forbes
Contact details
Contact online
Email: [email protected]
Website: kate-forbes.scot
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.
Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.
Committees
Kate is a member of 2 committees
Cross-party groups
Kate is a member of 1 cross-party group
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Gaelic
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Kate does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Kate does not have any party roles
Previous roles
Kate has had 11 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
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
Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Cabinet 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 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]
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.
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]
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]
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]
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.
Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee meeting date: 28 March 2024
Review of the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement
Kate Forbes (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP): "Thanks very much for being here this morning. So far, a lot of our discussion has centred on the challenges that you face just now or have been facing. I will move to the future, and there are two angles to my question…
Chamber meeting date: 27 March 2024
ScotWind Option Fees (Allocation of Income)
2. Kate Forbes (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP): "To ask the Scottish Government how it has allocated the funding raised through ScotWind option fees in the 2024-25 Scottish budget. (S6O-03269)"
Chamber meeting date: 27 March 2024
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Kate Forbes (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP): "This agriculture bill is a key moment in Scotland’s history…
Chamber meeting date: 21 March 2024
Energy Consents Unit (Community Engagement)
7. Kate Forbes (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP): "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. (S6O-03246)"
Chamber meeting date: 21 March 2024
Crèche Access
4. Kate Forbes (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP): "To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an update on its plans to increase access to childcare in the crèche beyond three hours per day. (S6O-03253)"
Votes
How Kate Forbes has voted in Parliament
Find out how Kate Forbes has voted recently.
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, February 12, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Result 89 for, 0 against, 31 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Supported by: Natalie Don, Jenny Gilruth
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 69 for, 49 against, 1 abstained, 10 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Supported by: Clare Adamson, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 22 for, 97 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 31 for, 69 against, 20 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Jim Fairlie, Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 18, 2024
Supported by: Mairi Gougeon
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, March 21, 2024
Result 85 for, 30 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Kate Forbes in Parliament
Find out what motions Kate Forbes has submitted recently.
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.
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 20 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how it has allocated the funding raised through ScotWind option fees in the 2024-25 Scottish Budget."
Taken in the Chamber on 27 March 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 14 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."
Taken in the Chamber on 21 March 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 13 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."
Taken in the Chamber on 21 March 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 6 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."
Taken in the Chamber on 13 March 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 21 February 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 30 January 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its Programme for Government commitment to pilot a new aquaculture consenting process to help deliver a more streamlined regime across Scotland."
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 31 January 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 12 January 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22531 by Paul McLennan on 13 November 2023, by what date in early 2024 it will provide an implementation update on short-term let licensing."
Answered by Paul McLennan on 23 January 2024
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 22 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle the increasing risk of wildfires in rural areas."
Taken in the Chamber on 29 November 2023
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 16 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an update on its work to ensure that the crèche facility can offer more than four hours per week per child."
Taken in the Chamber on 23 November 2023
Asked by: Forbes, Kate, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 30 October 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government, as part of its post-implementation review into short-term let licensing, whether it plans to undertake any stakeholder engagement and consultation ahead of the review, and what the nature of any stakeholder involvement in the review will be."
Answered by Paul McLennan on 13 November 2023