Mark Ruskell MSP

Mid Scotland and Fife

Climate, Energy, Environment, Food & Farming

Mark Ruskell was re-elected as an MSP in May 2016, having served Mid Scotland and Fife between 2003 and 2007, during which time he served on the environment committee, introduced legislative proposals on climate targets and GM crops. In this session he is a member of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform committee. He has been a councillor on Stirling Council since 2012. Outside of politics Mark has managed community development projects, worked in the renewables sector and for conservation bodies in Scotland. He lives near Doune with his young family.

Workplace protections must be improved while vaccines rolled out

Fri 26 Feb, 2021

Responding to the decision of the JCVI to continue to prioritise the rollout of vaccines through age cohorts, Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell, a member of Holyrood’s COVID-19 Committee, said:

Hydrogen 'no silver bullet', warn Scottish Greens

Thu 11 Feb, 2021

Scottish Government plans for a ‘hydrogen economy’ shows an over reliance on the fossil fuel sector and technologies that haven’t been developed yet to provide an emergency response to the climate crisis, the Scottish Greens have warned.

In a statement to MSPs, Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse pledged to press on with a move to hydrogen energy, even though he conceded it was not yet known how it could integrate with the gas grid.

Scottish Government must explain vaccine booking system failure

Tue 9 Feb, 2021

The Scottish Government still has significant questions to answer after failing to adequately explain why NHS Fife has experienced problems with its vaccine booking system, Scottish Greens Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell has said.

Questioning the Health Secretary in parliament this afternoon Mr Ruskell noted that yesterday’s queues came following a winter flu vaccination programme in Fife that was described as ‘Shambolic’.

Mark Ruskell MSP said:

Green recovery needs bold investments like Rail for All

Tue 9 Feb, 2021

A green recovery from the pandemic will require more strategic investments such as the £22bn proposals to upgrade Scotland’s railways from the Scottish Greens, the party has said.

Mark Ruskell: Vaccine queues completely unacceptable

Mon 8 Feb, 2021

The Health Secretary must personally intervene to ensure that the unacceptable situation of older people queuing in freezing temperatures outside vaccine clinics is not repeated, Scottish Greens Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell has said.

Greens call for transparency on self isolation support

Thu 4 Feb, 2021

Numbers of people receiving practical support to safely self-isolate should be published to measure the effectiveness of the test and trace system, the Scottish Greens have said.

Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell raised the issue at Holyrood’s COVID committee after MSPs rejected Green calls to make practical support universal in a vote yesterday.

Speaking afterwards, Mark Ruskell said: “The Scottish Government must ensure practical support for people to self-isolate is reaching people who need it when so many barriers remain.

Parliament votes down Green universal self isolation support

Wed 3 Feb, 2021

Scottish Green proposals for universal support for people to self-isolate have been voted down by the SNP and Tory MSPs.

Despite being a vital part of attempts to drive down transmission of coronavirus, compliance in self-isolation remains worryingly low.

Proposals from the Scottish Greens included universal support in the form of tailored ‘supported isolation packages’ that would include financial and practical support such as accommodation, food, and any other essential services that may be required to allow self-isolate.

Scottish Greens welcome care service report

Wed 3 Feb, 2021

A report calling for a National Care Service has been welcomed by the Scottish Greens.

An expert review on adult social care led by Derek Feeley has backed calls for a publicly-owned social care service.

Responding, Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the failings of social care services in Scotland. For too long there has been a gap between policy intent and services, and staff undervalued for the vital work they do in looking after our most vulnerable citizens.

Greens bring self-isolation support to Holyrood vote

Wed 3 Feb, 2021

The Scottish Parliament will today debate and vote on providing universal support for people to self-isolate safely in order to drive down transmission of COVID-19.

A motion brought by the Scottish Green Party calls for action, after recent research by University College London shows compliance with self-isolation remains low, suggesting that over half asked to self-isolate didn’t do it for the recommended number of days or were not isolating at all.

This comes amid concerns that the new South African strain of the virus has reached the UK.

Scottish Green Mountain Hare protections begin in March

Wed 27 Jan, 2021

Protections for Mountain Hares hard-won by the Scottish Greens will come into force in March, it has been confirmed.

According to regulations introduced to Holyrood today, it will be illegal to intentionally kill, injure or take mountain hares at any time unless a licence is obtained from 1 March 2021.

This is because Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone forced the Scottish Government’s hand to accept licensing in last year’s Wildlife legislation.