Alison Johnstone MSP

Lothian

Health & Sport, Social Security, Children & Young People

Alison Johnstone has represented Lothian region since 2011. She is a member of Holyrood's Health and Social Security committees. Alison has previously been a member of the Economy, Scotland Bill and Devolution committees. She was an Edinburgh city councillor between 2007 and 2012. Alison is from Edinburgh and lives in the south of the city with her husband and young daughter. A former East of Scotland 800 metres and 1500 metres title holder, Alison still runs for fitness and campaigns for access to green spaces to make healthy lifestyles easy for all. In the last session of Parliament she led the Fans First campaign to win football fans the right to buy their clubs, she led the fight against fracking by proposing a ban in 2014, and persuaded ministers to make energy efficient housing a national infrastructure priority.

Greens call for Social Security Assessment Improvements after “shocking” appeal statistics released

Thu 14 Mar, 2019

Scottish Greens have criticised the UK Government’s approach to assessing eligibility for disability benefits after the release of figures showing that nearly three quarters of those who appeal a decision have their complaints upheld.

73% of people who lodged appeals against decision made regarding their eligibility for Personal Independence Payment won their appeals. This is a 1% increase on the previous quarter. Across the UK, 15,372 people had their appeals upheld.

Johnstone secures fair work win

Tue 12 Mar, 2019

Scottish Greens Parliamentary Co-Leader Alison Johnstone MSP has this afternoon (12 March) won the support of the Scottish Parliament to improve Scotland’s approach to fair work.

In the amendment, which won the overwhelming support of MSPs, Alison welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to apply fair work criteria to every type of grant, funding stream and business support programme, a measure the Greens have campaigned for over many years.

Green MSPs are making Scotland the best country for children to grow up in

Alison Johnstone MSP Fri 8 Mar, 2019

The Scottish Greens have gender balanced leadership roles throughout the party, and last weekend our Council agreed to adopt a Co-leadership model in the parliamentary Green group. I’m delighted that I will now be sharing this new role with Patrick Harvie, and this week, on the day we debate International Women’s Day, was my first opportunity to lead for the party at FMQs.

Scottish Government Cycle 'Vision' Not On Track To Meet Community Needs

Alison Johnstone MSP Tue 5 Mar, 2019

When I led the Scottish Parliament’s first ever debate on cycling in 2012, I began by suggesting it is often the case that public attitudes are ahead of the policy-makers responsible for representing them.

Back then, in parts of Edinburgh, up to 20% of vehicles on the roads were bikes, but the picture nationally was mixed, with journeys by bike at a lowly 1%.

Johnstone and Harvie to become parliamentary co leaders

Sat 2 Mar, 2019

Alison Johnstone MSP and Patrick Harvie MSP have today (2 March) been confirmed as the Co-Leaders of the Scottish Greens Parliamentary Group following a meeting of the Scottish Green Party National Council, who approved the proposals brought forward by the MSP group.

The MSPs will share leadership responsibilities in parliament including speaking for the party at set piece events such as First Ministers Questions, which Ms Johnstone will do for the first time this Thursday.

Maggie Chapman remains a Co-Convenor of the party's national Council.

Johnstone calls for end to hare slaughter

Fri 1 Mar, 2019

Alison Johnstone MSP has today (1 Mar) repeated her call for an end the indiscriminate slaughter of mountain hares in Scotland. Today marks the first day of the closed season, which runs until the end of July, during which hares can only be killed under licence.

Evidence suggests that hare numbers have fallen dramatically in parts of the Highlands, and the Green MSP, who is the species champion for the mountain hare, is calling for an end to the mass killing of the iconic creatures on grouse moors.

Alison Johnstone MSP said:

Put fair work at the heart of social care, says Johnstone

Tue 26 Feb, 2019

Scottish Greens Health spokesperson Alison Johnstone MSP has today (26 Feb) called on the Scottish Government to put fair work at the heart of Scotland’s social care sector, by accepting in full the recommendations of The Fair Work Convention’s review, Fair Work in Scotland’s Social Care Sector 2019.

Scotland can chart a new course with social security powers

Alison Johnstone MSP Fri 15 Feb, 2019

One of my proudest moments as an MSP was playing a role in the establishment of the new Scottish social security system. Passed last year, the Social Security (Scotland) Act is a major step towards a fairer, more humane social security system than the UK system run by the UK Department for Work and Pensions whose punitive approach towards those who need help from the social security system has been well-documented.

Johnstone wins on Health and Care Staffing amendments

Tue 29 Jan, 2019

Scottish Greens health spokesperson Alison Johnstone MSP today (29 Jan) won support for her amendments to the government's Health and Care Staffing Bill.

Alison's amendments give senior charge nurses time to fulfil their clinical leadership role, give staff time for continuing professional development, and place a duty on Scottish Ministers to ensure enough student places to support the workforce.

Green pressure for action on animal welfare pays off

Wed 9 Jan, 2019

Scottish Green MSPs say their consistent pressure for action to improve animal welfare prompted today’s (9 Jan) announcements from the Scottish Government on CCTV in abattoirs, stronger penalties for animal cruelty and fresh legislation on fox hunting.

Scottish Greens food and farming spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said:

Alison Johnstone MSP Back to greens.scot

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