Member of Parliament
Ian Murray
Labour MP for Edinburgh South
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)·Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
At a glanceIan Murray is a Labour MP for Edinburgh South, and has represented the seat for 16 years, 2 months. They currently serve as Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport). They have cast 374 votes in Commons divisions (65% attendance), tabled 743 written questions and registered 7 financial interests.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 575 Commons divisions since the 2024 election; Ian Murray did not vote in 201. A rebellion is a vote against the way most of their own party voted; free votes, where no party line applies, are left out.
Party-loyalty figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Biography
He currently holds the Government posts of Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology), and Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport).
Current roles
- Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) Government post · Department for Culture, Media and Sport since 6 Sep 2025
- Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) Government post · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology since 6 Sep 2025
- Edinburgh South Representation · Elected 1 time since 4 Jul 2024
- Labour Party since 6 May 2010
Voting record
Voting alignment
Votes most like
-
Rachel Hopkins
Labour
100.0% · 370 of 370 shared votes
-
Paul Davies
Labour
100.0% · 358 of 358 shared votes
-
Andrew Cooper
Labour
100.0% · 358 of 358 shared votes
-
Andrew Lewin
Labour
100.0% · 358 of 358 shared votes
-
Tristan Osborne
Labour
100.0% · 356 of 356 shared votes
Votes least like
-
Sir Roger Gale
Conservative
0.0% · 0 of 198 shared votes
-
George Freeman
Conservative
0.0% · 0 of 186 shared votes
-
Sir Geoffrey Cox
Conservative
0.6% · 1 of 154 shared votes
-
Sir James Cleverly
Conservative
0.9% · 2 of 230 shared votes
-
Andrew Griffith
Conservative
0.9% · 2 of 215 shared votes
Alignment figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Register of financial interests
From the official Register; shown as registered.
Land and property (within or outside the UK)1
- Property in Edinburgh (registered 18 Oct 2019)
Shareholdings1
- Shares in 100MPH Events Limited (dormant)
Miscellaneous5
- Trustee of the Royal Observatory Trust. This is an unpaid role. (registered 2 Aug 2023)
- Trustee of McRaes Batallion Trust. This is an unpaid role. (registered 2 Aug 2023)
- Director of IM Campaigns Ltd (dormant). This is an unpaid role. (registered 31 Jul 2023)
- Director of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (United Kingdom). (registered 31 Jul 2023)
- Director of 100MPH Events Limited (dormant). This is an unpaid role. (registered 31 Jul 2023)
Written questions
Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill: Scotland
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions with the Lord Advocate on the Scottish Government's proposed amendments to the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill.
Answer · 29 Apr 2024
Discussions with Scottish Ministers on the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill have principally been led by the Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade, Minister Hollinrake. I have not had discussions with the Lord Advocate regar...
Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products: Scotland
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to increase Scotland’s (a) manufacturing capacity for and (b) delivery of cell and gene therapies.
Answer · 21 Mar 2024
The government is investing significantly to support manufacturing and delivery of cell and gene therapies.Since 2021, government has launched three UK-wide capital grant schemes – up to £118 million of funds – to incentivise manufacturing investments, in...
Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products: Scotland
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help support research into cell and gene therapy in Scotland.
Answer · 22 Mar 2024
The UK is a world-leader in the development and manufacture of cell and gene therapies thanks to government investment in innovation and skills, including through the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGTC). DSIT also invested £10 million - alongside £10 mi...
Scotland Office: Defamation
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to paragraphs 7.16 and 7.17 of the Ministerial Code, on how many occasions Ministers in his Department have informed the Law Officers that they are the defendants in a libel action in (a) their pe
Answer · 13 Mar 2024
As per paragraph 2.13 of the Ministerial Code, it is not possible to disclose whether Law Officers have or have not provided advice on such matters. Paragraph 2.13 states: “The fact that the Law Officers have advised or have not advised and the content of...
Public Expenditure: Scotland
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Spring Budget 2024, HC 560, if he will publish a detailed breakdown of the Barnett consequential for Scotland.
Answer · 12 Mar 2024
As a result of decisions at Spring Budget, the Scottish Government are now receiving around £295 million in additional funding in 2024-25 through the Barnett formula. It is for the Scottish Government to allocate their resources in devolved areas as they ...
Apprenticeship Levy: Scotland
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the total revenue raised via the apprenticeship levy from businesses in Scotland for each of the last five years.
Answer · 31 Jan 2024
Reliable estimates of the revenue raised from businesses in Scotland from the apprenticeship levy are not available as any estimate would need to be based on where employers are registered, and therefore would not necessarily reflect where the liabilities...
Levelling Up Fund: Culture
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his Department's timescales are for announcing the details of the proposed methodology for the selection of culture projects; and what plans his Department has to publicise this
Answer · 18 Dec 2023
I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 5001 on 11 December 2023.
Levelling Up Fund: Culture
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his planned timescale is for announcing the selection methodology for culture projects in Round 3 of the Levelling Up Fund.
Answer · 11 Dec 2023
We recognise the important role that culture can play in levelling up. That is why we have set aside £100 million for culture through the third round of the Levelling Up Fund. Further details of this funding will be announced in due course.
Early day motions
| 24 Jun 2019 | DR JENNIFER GARDEN | 13 sig. |
| 18 Jun 2019 | POLWARTH PARISH CHURCH | 7 sig. |
| 25 Feb 2019 | NATIONWIDE YOUTH STRIKES FOR CLIMATE ACTION | 46 sig. |
| 12 Jul 2018 | ANN BURN MBE | 5 sig. |
| 12 Jul 2018 | LUKE STEWART AND ALEX LOGAN | 8 sig. |
| 12 Jul 2018 | ANN SUTHERLAND | 4 sig. |
Speeches in the chamber
8 Jul 2026 Draft Trade (Mobile Roaming) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Let me start by answering the hon. Member for Surrey Heath. It will depend on which package he is on, of course. I have a worldwide roaming package, which means that I take my package with me wherever I go, but that is the package that I …
8 Jul 2026 Draft Trade (Mobile Roaming) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
The shadow Minister is correct that we should be doing things at a greater pace, but I disagree with him about the value of the wholesale rates. The voice call rate is already higher. As I said to the hon. Member for Bromley and Biggin Hil…
8 Jul 2026 Draft Trade (Mobile Roaming) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
That is a good question. Actually, yes. This is purely about the EEA EFTA-UK agreement countries, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, although Liechtenstein is outside it at the moment because of its relationship with the European Union. On…
8 Jul 2026 Draft Trade (Mobile Roaming) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
That is an incredibly good question. That is why we are making the draft regulations, because the wholesale rates, or the Euro rates, are much lower than the rates currently in operation. For example, a voice call, which is €0.032, will go…
8 Jul 2026 Draft Trade (Mobile Roaming) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Trade (Mobile Roaming) (Amendment) Regulations 2026. It is great to see a fellow Edinburgher in the Chair, Ms Jardine. [Interruption.] I will not divide the Committee on the …
1 Jul 2026 Astronomy and Space Science: Funding
I do not agree with my hon. Friend about the policy. We are putting £86 billion into research and development, including astronomy and space science, including a record £38 billion for UK Research and Innovation. Of that, £14.5 billion is …
1 Jul 2026 Astronomy and Space Science: Funding
I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman and everyone at the Harwell campus, which hosts over £1 billion of world-leading research infrastructure. A lot of concerns have been raised by the physics community about this issue. I can confirm that …
1 Jul 2026 Astronomy and Space Science: Funding
I draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I am proud that this Labour Government have committed a record £86 billion towards R&D, including on astronomy, space science and others, to supe…
18 Jun 2026 Topical Questions
The music plan is to help grassroots music. It is part of a whole package that this Government are putting in place to ensure that music thrives, and continues to thrive, in this country, including the £30 million music growth fund. We hav…
18 Jun 2026 Topical Questions
The Redditch local history museum deserve all the support it can get. Local museums are hugely important, and decisions on the operation of cultural organisations are taken locally, independent of Government, through Arts Council England. …
18 Jun 2026 Topical Questions
As the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology laid out to the House on 18 March, we are taking forward four big strategic priorities—digital replicas, AI labelling, creative control and licensing—to get this right. No co…
18 Jun 2026 UK Artists Touring in Europe
As well as sending artists across the European Union, Strangford sends the very best to this Chamber. There is a firm commitment on the EU side to take this forward. I met Commissioner Micaleff at the high-level meeting, and also discussed…
18 Jun 2026 UK Artists Touring in Europe
I congratulate the Committee on its report, and I welcome its continued interest in recognising the importance of international touring to the UK’s world-leading arts and creative industries sector. We are carefully considering the recomme…
18 Jun 2026 UK Artists Touring in Europe
A tremendous question. Helping touring artists is a manifesto commitment. At last year’s UK-EU summit, the UK and the European Commission committed to supporting cultural exchange, recognising those touring artists. I discussed cultural pr…
18 Jun 2026 Ticket Tout Ban
It is well documented that there have been issues with tickets for this world cup. My hon. Friend the Sport Minister has been having meetings about tickets for Euro 2028, which will take place in this country. It is really important, wheth…
18 Jun 2026 Ticket Tout Ban
It is important to lay out that it is a manifesto commitment—from the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State and all of us—to get that legislation through. It is incredibly popular legislation. We need to stop fans being ripped off by tick…
18 Jun 2026 Ticket Tout Ban
We are fully committed to implementing the measures that we announced last year, which will put fans back at the heart of live events, and eliminate industrial-scale ticket touting—it has been fleecing fans for far too long. We are working…
18 Jun 2026 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
It is important that any new site put forward for UNESCO world heritage site status first goes through a robust national assessment process—and the issues that the right hon. Gentleman raises will be considered as part of that—before being…
18 Jun 2026 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
I pay tribute to the Arkwright Society, which does amazing work in managing Cromford Mills, which is an integral part of the wider Derwent Valley Mills world heritage site. I am therefore pleased that it has already secured £1.3 million of…
18 Jun 2026 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Responsibility for managing and funding UNESCO world heritage sites is devolved to local authorities and the devolved Governments. As such, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not typically provide direct funding. Heritage sit…
Source: contributions on parliament.uk.
Full parliamentary career
Government posts
- Secretary of State for Scotland · Scotland Office 5 Jul 2024 – 5 Sep 2025
Opposition posts
- Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland · Scotland Office 6 Apr 2020 – 30 May 2024
- Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland · Scotland Office 8 May 2015 – 26 Jun 2016
- Shadow Minister (Business, Innovation and Skills) · Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 7 Oct 2011 – 8 May 2015
Committee memberships
- Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Bill (Formerly known as Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement) Bill) 13 Mar 2024 – 30 May 2024
- Foreign Affairs Committee 2 Mar 2020 – 11 May 2020
- Foreign Affairs Committee 11 Sep 2017 – 6 Nov 2019
- Foreign Affairs Committee 31 Oct 2016 – 3 May 2017
- Scottish Affairs Committee 5 Sep 2016 – 3 May 2017
- Public Accounts Commission 4 Nov 2015 – 3 May 2017
- Environmental Audit Committee 26 Jul 2010 – 10 Dec 2012
- Business, Innovation and Skills Committee 2 Nov 2010 – 24 Oct 2011
- Committees on Arms Export Controls 12 Jul 2010 – 24 Oct 2011
Previous seats
- Edinburgh South · Elected 4 times 6 May 2010 – 30 May 2024
Expenses
Contact & offices
020 7219 7064
Parliamentary office
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Constituency office
31 Minto Street, Edinburgh, EH9 2BT
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Ian Murray, answered from official Parliament data.
Who is Ian Murray?
Ian Murray is a Member of Parliament representing Edinburgh South in the House of Commons. See Ian Murray's official Parliament profile.
Which party does Ian Murray represent?
Ian Murray sits as Labour. See Ian Murray's official Parliament profile.
Which constituency does Ian Murray represent?
Ian Murray is the Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South. See Ian Murray's official Parliament profile.
How long has Ian Murray been an MP?
Ian Murray has served in the House of Commons for 16 years, 2 months. See Ian Murray's official Parliament profile.
What registered interests are listed for Ian Murray?
Ian Murray has 7 entries in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. See Ian Murray's official Parliament profile.
Source: this MP's official Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.