Updates

Scottish Child Payment not enough to recover families from the pandemic, Greens warn

Mon 15 Feb, 2021

The Scottish Child Payment, which has started to be paid today, will not be enough to support families recovering from the pandemic, the Scottish Greens have warned.

The payment, a £10 top-up of existing benefits, has begun rollout, but poverty groups have urged the First Minister to at least double it. It is also estimated that thousands will miss it because of low take-up. 

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 Greens call for football abuse inquiry

Thu 11 Feb, 2021

The Scottish Government must establish a judge led public inquiry into sexual abuse in football, Scottish Greens justice spokesperson John Finnie MSP has said.

Mr Finnie made the call after the SFA published its independent review of sexual abuse in football, a document which reveals shocking contempt for the welfare of young people.

John Finnie MSP said:

Scottish Greens call for more ambition to tackle poverty

Wed 10 Feb, 2021

The Scottish Government must go further to stem the rising tide of poverty, the Scottish Greens have said.

At FMQs, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie raised warnings about rising poverty, exacerbated by the pandemic.

He called for rent controls and actions to tackle low pay and the costs of transport, energy bills and gaps in the social security system.

Patrick Harvie said: “The Scottish Government has eye-catching targets on child poverty, but even before the pandemic we were on track to miss them.