Graham Simpson
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Central Scotland (Region) 2016 - present day
About Graham Simpson
Contact details
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 6983
Text relay calls welcome.
Committees
Graham is a member of 2 committees
Cross-party groups
Graham is a member of 7 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Architecture and the Built Environment
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Beer and Pubs
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Cycling, Walking and Buses
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Housing
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Life Sciences
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Towns and Town Centres
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Graham does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Graham has 3 party roles
Party Spokesperson on Communities
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Party Spokesperson on Housing
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Party Spokesperson on Social Security
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Previous roles
Graham has had 7 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
05 September 2017 - 25 February 2020
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Convener
05 September 2017 - 25 February 2020
Conveners Group
Member
03 September 2019 - 18 February 2020
Party Spokesperson on Planning
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Housing
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
28 June 2017 - 03 September 2019
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Communities
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
29 June 2017 - 05 September 2017
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Member
26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Local Government
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Register of interests
Graham's register of interests
MSP's 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 Graham Simpson. The date of their initial statement was 31 May 2016.
Remuneration and related undertaking
I previously worked as a newspaper sub-editor for News UK (of 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF). I have not done any work for News UK since I was elected. My employment ended on 31 May 2016 and I received my last salary payment of between £3,001-£5,000 on 6 May 2016.
Until 4 May 2017, when I stood down, I was a Councillor for South Lanarkshire Council (of Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA). I received a salary for this role which, combined with the value of the use of a mobile phone and tablet, was between £15,0001 and £20,000 per annum. I spent 25 hours per week undertaking this role. [Amended interest 15 May 2017]
Gifts
No registrable interests
Overseas visits
No registrable interests
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
I am an adviser to the board of Clyde Cycle Park SCIO. I receive no remuneration for this role. [Amended interest 15 May 2017]
Biography
Overview
I was born in Aberdeen and a few moves later started school in Edinburgh. I had a Scottish accent then but lost it by the time I started high school in Carlisle.
I was a reporter on local newspapers before joining The Scottish Sun as sub-editor.
I was also an East Kilbride councillor for 10 years.
What motivated you to become an MSP?
I first got involved in politics at age 15, at the tail end of the Callaghan government. I had no political involvement while forging my career, until I started to get annoyed again during the Blair years, and re-joined the Conservative Party.
I cut my teeth as a councillor, and was elected twice. This gave me the necessary experience to become an MSP.
I love the variety of the job and getting stuck into issues. Dealing with legislation has been eye-opening. I led for my party on the Planning (Scotland) Bill, winning some key changes to the original bill.
Recent Activity
What was said
What Graham Simpson 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.
Written questions
Written questions Graham Simpson has submitted in Parliament
These are the questions that this MSP has asked the Scottish Government about its work. It also includes any answer to these questions.
S5W-30934 - Unanswered
27 July 2020
Simpson, Graham: "To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to continue distributing food boxes to people who have been shielding from the COVID-19 pandemic, and what its policy is regarding items distributed that the recipient says were not required or not used."
S5W-30168 - Unanswered
23 June 2020
Simpson, Graham: "To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-28463 by Aileen Campbell on 15 May 2020, whether it will provide an update regarding how many people are signed up to the Ready Scotland volunteer scheme, and how many are in a volunteering role."
S5O-04446 - Unanswered
17 June 2020
Simpson, Graham: "To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking in response to the High Rise Inventory 2020."
S5O-04360 - Unanswered
20 May 2020
Simpson, Graham: "To ask the Scottish Government what new targets it has set for its affordable homes programme."
S5W-28468 - Answered
16 April 2020
Simpson, Graham: "To ask the Scottish Government how many volunteers have been assigned to directly assist the NHS through the Ready Scotland volunteer scheme."
See all of Graham Simpson's written questions submitted in Parliament