Jeremy Balfour
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Lothian (Region) 2016 - present day
About Jeremy Balfour
Contact details
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5961
Text relay calls welcome.
Committees
Jeremy is a member of 2 committees
Local Government and Communities Committee
Substitute Member
Social Security Committee
Member
Cross-party groups
Jeremy is a member of 20 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Autism
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Building Bridges with Israel
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Children and Young People
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Colleges and Universities
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Disability
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Epilepsy
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Freedom of Religion or Belief
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Funerals and Bereavement
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Future of Football in Scotland
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Heart Disease and Stroke
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Human Trafficking
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Learning Disability
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Older People, Age and Ageing
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Racial Equality
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Shared Parenting
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Sport
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on USA
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Visual Impairment
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Volunteering
Deputy Convener
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Jeremy does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Jeremy has 2 party roles
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Equalities
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Older People
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Previous roles
Jeremy has had 9 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
25 February 2020 - 20 August 2020
Local Government and Communities Committee
Member
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Welfare
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Communities
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Housing
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
10 September 2019 - 25 February 2020
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Member
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Welfare
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
29 September 2016 - 29 June 2017
Equalities and Human Rights Committee
Member
26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Children
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
08 June 2016 - 29 September 2016
Equal Opportunities Committee
Member
Register of interests
Jeremy'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 Jeremy Balfour. The date of their initial statement was 06 June 2016.
Remuneration and related undertaking
Until 17 May 2016 I was a personal independence payment (PIP) Tribunal member for the Ministry of Justice (of Whitehall, London). My final payment for this role was up to £500.
Until 12 May 2016 I was the Property Manager for Scottish Churches Housing Action (of 44 Hanover Street, Edinburgh). My final payment for this role was up to £500.
Until 4 May 2017, when I stood down, I was a Councillor with the City of Edinburgh Council (of 253 High Street, Edinburgh). I worked 1 day per week. I received remuneration of between £15,001 and £20,000 per annum. Following my election as an MSP, I advised the Council that I did not wish to take any remuneration for this post. [Amended interest 10 May 2017]
Gifts
No registrable interests
Overseas visits
From 21 to 23 August 2019 I travelled to Stockholm on a fact finding visit. The costs of the visit, for flights, were £223.38 and were met by UK Feminista (a charitable organisation which promotes equality between men and women of Omnibus Business Centre, North Road, London, N7 9DP). [Registered 4 September 2019]
From 9 to 13 October 2017, I participated in a cross-party visit to the Republic of China (Taiwan), at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). The trip was arranged by the Taipei Representative Office (Edinburgh Office) in the UK, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) (of 1 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7PE). I met a number of Government departments, as well as trade and cultural organisations. The cost of the visit was £3,900 for return flights, and the hotel and ancillary expenses was £2,600. All costs were met by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). [Registered interest 27 October 2017]
From 20 to 30 August 2018 I was part of a Tearfund delegation travelling to Rwanda to learn how projects in relation to genocide reconciliation and new business projects 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). [Registered interest 6 September 2018]
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
I am a director of Bethany Christian Trust. I receive no payments or expenses for this role.
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 20 April 2018]
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 3 April 2019]
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 20 April 2018]
I took part in an MSP interview for Populus Research Strategy. For participating in this a donation of £50 was made to Bethany Christian Trust. [Registered 20 February 2018]
I am a member of the Society of Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland and the Society’s Widow Fund. [Registered 7 February 2020]
Recent Activity
What was said
What Jeremy Balfour 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.
Pre-budget Scrutiny 2021-22
Jeremy Balfour made 3 Contributions to this discussion
Social Security Committee - 08 October 2020
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "I would like to ask the panel about trends in social security expenditure. Do you think that they will be similar across the United Kingdom, or will there be differentials? What impact could that have on the block grant adjustment?"
Family Care Givers
Jeremy Balfour made 1 Contribution to this discussion
Chamber - 30 September 2020
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "Along with other members, I thank Monica Lennon and the Labour group for bringing the debate to the chamber. There is a consensual feel to the debate, and I would echo many of the remarks from fellow members…
Social Security Administration and Tribunal Membership (Scotland) Bill
Jeremy Balfour made 2 Contributions to this discussion
Chamber - 29 September 2020
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "This has been a consensual debate—so much so that even the convener of the committee has not felt the need to intervene."
Winter Heating Assistance for Children and Young People (Scotland) Regulations 2020 [Draft]
Jeremy Balfour made 5 Contributions to this discussion
Social Security Committee - 24 September 2020
Jeremy Balfour: "With regard to entitlement, as the cabinet secretary said, only children who are on the highest rate of disability living allowance will get the benefit, but the intention is to expand that in due course. What is the reason for the delay in that…
First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Social Security Chamber (Procedure and Composition) Amendment Regulations 2020 [Draft]
Jeremy Balfour made 3 Contributions to this discussion
Social Security Committee - 24 September 2020
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con): "Good morning, cabinet secretary. Thank you for attending the meeting. I have a question on regulation 20, which is on page 7 of the regulations. It concerns overpayments. The terminology that is used there is a “reasonable level”…
Votes
How Jeremy Balfour has voted in Parliament
Find out how Jeremy Balfour has voted recently.
Recognising the Importance of Family Caregivers
Submitted by: Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Result 27 for, 92 against, 0 abstained, 10 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Recognising the Importance of Family Caregivers
Submitted by: Jeane Freeman, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Supported by: Joe FitzPatrick, Clare Haughey
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Result 92 for, 27 against, 0 abstained, 10 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Recognising the Importance of Family Caregivers
Submitted by: Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, September 28, 2020
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Result 90 for, 27 against, 0 abstained, 12 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
The Social Security Administration and Tribunal Membership (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, September 28, 2020
Supported by: Christina McKelvie
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Result 109 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 20 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Result 108 for, 6 against, 0 abstained, 15 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Jeremy Balfour in Parliament
Find out what motions Jeremy Balfour has submitted recently.
Sense Scotland Celebrates its 35th Anniversary
Current status: Has not yet achieved cross-party support
Access to All in Retail
Current status: Has not yet achieved cross-party support
Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden Awarded Lottery Grant
Current status: Has not yet achieved cross-party support
First Broxburn Academy Pupil to Reach Scottish National Debating Team
Current status: Has not yet achieved cross-party support
-Aidan Dodds, 10, Donates Savings to Save the Children
Current status: Has not yet achieved cross-party support
Written questions
Written questions Jeremy Balfour 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-32349 - Unanswered
07 October 2020
Balfour, Jeremy: "To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the work of its Rehabilitation Framework and the role this has had in responding to the COVID-19, what plans it has to expand and develop the allied health professional workforce, and what funding it will allocate to (a) local authorities, (b) NHS boards and (c) third sector…
S5W-31436 - Answered
26 August 2020
Balfour, Jeremy: "To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when clear Type IIR masks will be available for use in health and social care settings."
S5O-04567 - Unanswered
02 September 2020
Balfour, Jeremy: "To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage domestic tourism."
S5W-30981 - Answered
29 July 2020
Balfour, Jeremy: "To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance analysis of the advocacy scheme for disabled people accessing social security."
S5O-04523 - Unanswered
19 August 2020
Balfour, Jeremy: "To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the required social distancing measures in schools."
See all of Jeremy Balfour's written questions submitted in Parliament