Michelle Thomson

Independent - Former Member for Edinburgh West

First elected: 7th May 2015

Left House: 3rd May 2017 (General Election)


Michelle Thomson is not a member of any APPGs
4 Former APPG memberships
Corporate Governance, Fair Business Banking, Music, Scotch Whisky
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
17th Oct 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Committees on Arms Export Controls
10th Feb 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Education, Skills and the Economy Sub-Committee
1st Dec 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Business and Trade Committee
17th Oct 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Business, Innovation and Skills Committee
8th Jul 2015 - 17th Oct 2016
Shadow SNP Westminster Group Leader (Business, Innovation and Skills)
20th May 2015 - 1st Oct 2015


Division Voting information

Michelle Thomson has voted in 280 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Michelle Thomson Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

View all Michelle Thomson's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Michelle Thomson

26th April 2017
Michelle Thomson signed this EDM on Wednesday 26th April 2017

MOTABILITY 40TH ANNIVERSARY

Tabled by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
That this House congratulates Motability for reaching its 40th anniversary and for providing over four and a half million scheme vehicles; recognises the importance of Motability in helping disabled people, their families and friends have increased mobility and independence; and commends all those involved in the creation and continued support …
18 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Apr 2017)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 15
Independent: 2
Plaid Cymru: 1
25th April 2017
Michelle Thomson signed this EDM as a sponsor on Tuesday 25th April 2017

KIRKCALDY GOLF CLUB

Tabled by: Roger Mullin (Scottish National Party - Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath)
That this House welcomes Kirkcaldy Golf Club's appointment of a woman captain for the first time since it was founded in 1904; congratulates Heather Stuart on her appointment as captain; recognises that the club has taken a positive direction and hopes that this will inspire other clubs to do the …
5 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Apr 2017)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Independent: 1
View All Michelle Thomson's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Michelle Thomson, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Michelle Thomson has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Michelle Thomson has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Michelle Thomson has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

1 Bill co-sponsored by Michelle Thomson

Forensic Linguistics (Standards) Bill 2015-16
Sponsor - Roger Mullin (SNP)


Latest 21 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
10th Jan 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what safeguards his Department has put in place to prevent the immediate sale of assets by a new owner of the Green Investment Bank after its planned privatisation.

The Government has been clear that one of the reasons we are moving the Green Investment Bank (GIB) into the private sector is to enable the business grow and continue as an institution supporting investment in the UK green economy.

GIB is being sold as a going concern and potential investors will be buying into the company’s green business plan and forward pipeline of projects.

10th Jan 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government plans to maintain any control or stake in the new ownership structure of the Green Investment Bank after its planned privatisation.

The Government has always been clear about our plans to sell a majority of the Green Investment Bank (GIB) in order to achieve one of our key objectives, which is for GIB to be re-classified to the private sector once sold.

The decisions on the final size of stake of GIB to be sold will depend on the outcome of confidential discussions with bidders; driven by what best achieves our objectives for the sale, and, most importantly, what is in the best interests of the taxpayer.

10th Jan 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what safeguards his Department has put in place to protect the focus of the Green Investment Bank on green investment after the planned privatisation of that bank.

The Government has set out its plans for the sale of the Green Investment Bank (GIB) in the document “Green Investment Bank: sale of shares” laid before Parliament on 3 March 2016.

As stated in that document, the Government has asked potential investors to confirm their commitment to GIB’s green values and investment principles and how they propose to protect them, as part of their bids for the company. In addition, the Government has approved the creation of a special share to protect GIB’s green purposes in future.

10th Jan 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department has taken to safeguard the Green Investment Bank's headquarters in Edinburgh and the jobs it supports after the planned privatisation of that bank.

Scotland has a strong renewable energy sector, and Edinburgh continues to offer a great deal in terms of renewable energy expertise and attractive investment opportunities. We have asked potential investors to confirm their commitment to the Green Investment Bank’s (GIB) green values and investment principles, and how they propose to protect them, as part of their bids for the company.

GIB is being sold as a going concern and potential investors will be buying into the company’s green business plan and forward pipeline projects. The Green Investment Bank’s Chairman, the noble Lord, Lord Smith of Kelvin is strongly committed to the Edinburgh office.

6th Jun 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for funding of broadband provision in Scotland of the UK voting to leave the EU.

The Phase 1 superfast broadband delivery in Scotland has benefited from up to £20 million of European funding. Currently no significant levels of European funding are expected to be used for the Phase 2 programme in Scotland. The Rest of Scotland broadband project remains on track to achieve 96% superfast broadband coverage by end of 2017.

10th Mar 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to ensure that children's right to education is protected across the world.

DFID is committed to the Global Goal for education which aims to make sure that every girl and boy receives a quality education, including the poorest and most vulnerable. The UK supported 11 million children’s education between 2010 and 2015. We are committed to supporting 11 million children between 2015 and 2020.

17th Jan 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph B.18 of the Civil Aviation Authority's Guidance on the application of the airspace change process document, published in March 2016, whether guidance will be issued to airports on their needing to conduct an impact assessment on livestock, animals and biodiversity.

The Government will consult shortly on airspace matters. This consultation will include a draft of new guidance to the Civil Aviation Authority on the environmental factors it should take into account when exercising its air navigation functions.

It is expected that the revised guidance will be in place by the end of this year.

12th Sep 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to introduce a graduated driving licensing system for young drivers.

It is important that we strike the right balance between the safety and the freedom of young drivers. Many rely on their cars to get to work and education; so licensing restrictions could affect their ability to access these opportunities.

Instead, we’re focussing our efforts on encouraging learner drivers to be better prepared for the wonderful freedoms a driving licence offers, but without compromising on safety, which is at the heart of what we do.

6th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of people who have claimed widowed parent's allowance and bereavement allowance in the last five years would have received less money under the new bereavement support payment scheme.

The information requested is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

28th Feb 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the proportion of people who will be affected by proposed changes to support for bereaved parents.

Bereavement Support Payment will be introduced from 6 April 2017 for new claimants only. Existing claimants of Widowed Parent's Allowance and Bereavement Allowance will remain on those benefits. We estimate that approximately 8,500 parents will claim Bereavement Support Payment in 2017/18.

7th Dec 2016
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps are being taken to prevent cases of false self-employment in the construction industry.

The Government introduced legislation in Finance Act 2014 to tackle false self-employment arising through intermediaries. Where there is control over the worker, as a result of the legislation, an intermediary has to operate PAYE and pay National Insurance Contributions. It was estimated that this would lead to 200,000 workers being correctly treated as employed.

Since April 2015, intermediaries also have to submit a quarterly electronic return if they have made payments to a worker without deductions under PAYE. The first returns were made to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in July and November 2015, and HMRC is using the information to tackle false self-employment through intermediaries.

19th Oct 2016
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his Department's objectives are in negotiating double taxation treaties with developing countries.

In negotiating double taxation treaties, the UK’s objective is to reach an agreement that allocates taxing rights on a basis acceptable to both countries.

15th Jul 2015
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of level of revenue that will be raised from the new apprenticeship levy; and what additional funding he plans will be available for apprenticeships in England.

The government has committed to 3 million apprenticeship starts over the Parliament. The new levy on large employers will fund the step change needed in starts and quality. Further details will be set at the Spending Review following a formal engagement with business.

15th Jul 2015
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what criteria he plans to apply when assessing which businesses will be required to pay the new apprenticeship levy.

Employer investment in skills has been a problem since the 1990s and it needs to change. Large companies will now have direct control via the digital apprenticeship voucher and firms that are committed to training will be able to get back more than the put in. Further details will be set at the Spending Review following a formal engagement with business.

15th Jul 2015
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an estimate of the number of businesses in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK that will be required to pay the new apprenticeship levy.

The Barnett formula will apply to spending on apprenticeships in England in the usual way. Skills policy is a devolved area so the DAs will have complete flexibility over how to support businesses. Further details will be set at the Spending Review following a formal engagement with business.

29th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect on the number of children who can enter the UK of the provisions of her Department's guidance, Implementation of section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 in France.

The guidance builds on the principles set out by the Home Secretary on 24 October. The criteria are intended to ensure that we are focusing on the most vulnerable children. We will be considering all those aged 12 and under, all children referred to us by the French authorities assessed as being at a high risk of sexual exploitation, and those nationalities most likely to qualify for refugee status in the UK, aged 15 or below. In doing this we are also establishing whether it is in each child’s best interests to come here. Since 10 October, we have transferred over 300 unaccompanied minors to the UK from France and, as the Home Secretary told Parliament on 24 October, we expect several hundred more children to be brought to the UK in the coming days and weeks.

17th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much revenue her Department has raised from each category of visa in each of the last three years.

We do not record income broken down for each category of visa.

However, the Home Office publishes the amount of income raised through fees charged for visa applications within the Home Office’s Annual Report and Accounts for the three previous years, copies of which are available in the Vote Office.

Statistical information relating to volumes within each visa category are published on the Gov.uk website, and are available at the following link. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-april-to-june-2015/list-of-tables

17th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason her Department no longer publishes accounts of the revenue stream from visa services previously published by the UK Border Agency.

This information is published in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts 2014-15, a copy of which is available in the Vote Office.

Table 6.2 sets out an analysis of income from services provided to external and public sector customers.

17th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the average amount people spent on visa applications before being granted entry to the UK in the last year for which figures are available.

The Home Office does not analyse the average amount people spend on visa applications before being granted entry to the UK. The Home Office provides a wide range of visa products and services and takes into account a range of factors when setting fees, so there is no typical fee amount.

17th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what purposes her Department used the income it raised from visa applications in each of the last three years.

Income from fees contributes to providing the resources necessary to fund delivery of, and improvements to the Border, Immigration and Citizenship system.