Portrait of Kate Forbes

Photo © Scottish Parliament

Former Member of the Scottish Parliament

Kate Forbes

Unknown party

At a glance Kate Forbes was a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

Votes cast1,731
Attendance60%
Voted For1,023
Voted Against680

Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 2,903 Holyrood divisions on record; Kate Forbes did not vote in 285.

Voting recordlatest 15 shown
Questions120 tabled

Kate Forbes has tabled 120 questions in the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that NHS Highland implements the recommendations of Sir Lewis… 8 May 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that NHS Highland implements the recommendations of Sir Lewis Ritchie's report, following his expert review of healthcare provision for the north of Skye.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on how small Highland and island communities will benefit from its … 1 May 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on how small Highland and island communities will benefit from its Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Awaiting an answer.

Withdrawn. 24 Apr 2024 · Portfolio Question

Withdrawn.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government how it has allocated the funding raised through ScotWind option fees in the 2024-25 Scot… 19 Mar 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it has allocated the funding raised through ScotWind option fees in the 2024-25 Scottish Budget.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an update on its plans to increase access to c… 13 Mar 2024 · SPCB Oral Question

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.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the voices of Highland communities are appropriately considered by t… 13 Mar 2024 · General Question

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.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Highland about progressing planning and design work… 4 Mar 2024 · Portfolio Question

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.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government what value it places on the Screen Machine. 19 Feb 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what value it places on the Screen Machine.

Awaiting an answer.

See all questions

Motions lodged133 lodged
Speechesfrom the Official Report

Recent things Kate Forbes has said in the chamber and in committee, from the Official Report.

25 Mar 2026   General Question Time

The Scottish Government has engaged extensively with those workers. Mr Kidd’s question allows me to put on record my enormous appreciation of the constructive and positive role that unions at Grangemouth have played. They have brought idea…

25 Mar 2026   General Question Time (draft)

The Scottish Government has engaged extensively with those workers. Mr Kidd’s question allows me to put on record my enormous appreciation of the constructive and positive role that unions at Grangemouth have played. They have brought idea…

25 Mar 2026   General Question Time

We are committed to securing a just transition for Grangemouth. We have provided more than £12 million in funding to support the creation of up to 279 jobs.We are also committed to supporting workers who have been made redundant as a resul…

25 Mar 2026   General Question Time (draft)

We are committed to securing a just transition for Grangemouth. We have provided more than £12 million in funding to support the creation of up to 279 jobs.We are also committed to supporting workers who have been made redundant as a resul…

18 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

I am aware of the Whitesands flood protection scheme. Its purpose is to combine major flood defences with significant public realm improvements. It is set to start this spring after receiving approval from Dumfries and Galloway Council. I …

18 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

As I outlined in a previous answer, we continue to deliver on our long-standing commitment to regeneration, with investment of up to £52 million next year. It has long been a commitment of mine to support local regeneration, which is why w…

18 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

The member makes a very interesting point, and I thank him, too, for his kind comments. It is an interesting approach, and we have looked carefully at all the approaches that we could take through procurement and grants, for example to sup…

18 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

I am very thankful for Richard Leonard’s kind words; I was almost dreading that there was a “but” coming afterwards, but I am grateful for those comments.Richard Leonard raises a very serious issue. I had a call with the GMB this morning—t…

18 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

It is important for me to say at the outset—because I have a declaration of interest to make—that my primary responsibility when answering these questions is to Alexander Dennis and that I have no role at all in ScotZEB 3, for very importa…

18 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

We continue to work closely with Alexander Dennis Ltd following our award of a time-limited company furlough scheme that is designed to retain jobs in the firm’s manufacturing capacity in Scotland. The agreed terms and conditions of the gr…

18 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

I agree that attracting a varied and diverse range of investors who are able to meet the needs of companies across all projects and stages is vital. We have seen huge growth in start-ups, and now the focus needs to turn to scale-ups. A num…

18 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

That is an important question, because expanding access to private investment is a critical element in seeing Scotland grow. Scotland has a strong public sector investment ecosystem, with our enterprise agencies and the Scottish National I…

18 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

That is why we have the most generous rates relief anywhere in the UK, including some of the most ambitious support, through the small business bonus scheme. The member will know that a lot of the properties on our town centre high streets…

18 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

That is definitely an issue of concern to us. We have looked at a number of different options to try to resolve the issue of empty properties, which is largely driven by a change in trading conditions and the fact that people are increasin…

18 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

I recognise that many of our towns face challenges with vacant buildings, which is why we are continuing our long-standing commitment to regeneration, with investment of up to £52 million in the next financial year.Since 2014, we have prov…

12 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)

I know that Miles Briggs takes a huge interest in palliative care, and I am very conscious that members across the chamber think that, irrespective of what happens with the bill next week, we should focus on palliative care. What is his vi…

12 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I know that Miles Briggs takes a huge interest in palliative care, and I am very conscious that members across the chamber think that, irrespective of what happens with the bill next week, we should focus on palliative care. What is his vi…

12 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I know that Miles Briggs takes a huge interest in palliative care, and I am very conscious that members across the chamber think that, irrespective of what happens with the bill next week, we should focus on palliative care. What is his vi…

12 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)

Mr Marra talked about scrutinising the financial memorandum and he has also referenced a lot of healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses. Was there any discussion about the interaction between the UK Government legislating thro…

12 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)

Will the member give way?

Seat & career2 seats held

Source: this MSP's profile on parliament.scot.

Allowances£33,345 · 2025

2025 (latest published)

Rental Expenditure£6,600
Rent£5,000
Printing and/or Photocopying£4,902
Council Tax£4,842
Mailing Costs£4,272
Utilities£3,112
Telephone Services Costs£951
Newspaper Subscriptions£807
Staff Mileage£671
Hall Hire£510
Communication App£396
Trade Waste£359
Fire Safety£238
Staff Overnight Costs Including Dinner£134
Overnight Stay Constituency/Region Member and Staff£122
Telephone Costs£121
Advertising£96
Computer Software£60
Staff Ferries£51
Members Ferries£51
Office/Window Cleaning£50

Source: Scottish Parliament (published ~1 year in arrears)

Contact & offices[email protected]

Source: this MSP's official Scottish Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.