Scottish Greens

GOVERNMENT NOT ON TOP OF TENANTS' ISSUE

Mon 20 Jan, 2014

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow and housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, is criticising the Scottish Government after ministers admitted that they do not know how many landlords are complying with schemes designed to protect tenants' deposits.

Last summer when the schemes came into force it was estimated that only half of the 291,000 potential deposits had been transferred. Glasgow has 56,000 households in the private rented sector - a fifth of all those in Scotland.

Mr Harvie, who recently launched a campaign website RentRights.org, said:

HARVIE CHALLENGES SALMOND ON FRACKING

Thu 16 Jan, 2014

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow and Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, today challenged First Minister Alex Salmond to rule out fracking for gas in Scotland.

Speaking at First Minister's Questions at Holyrood Mr Harvie said there can be no safe buffer zone for such developments and that fracking and unconventional gas have no place in Scotland.

The First Minister described shale gas as providing "undoubted opportunities" and responded to Mr Harvie by saying an "evidence-based approach" would be a "profoundly good way to proceed."

YOUGOV POLL SETS UP GREEN V UKIP EURO CLASH IN SCOTLAND

Thu 16 Jan, 2014

YouGov's first poll for the 2014 European election, released this morning, finds a neck-and-neck race between UKIP and the Scottish Greens' Maggie Chapman for the last of Scotland's six Euro Parliament seats.

The pollsters put the far-right party in second place on 26% UK-wide, likely to cruise to multiple MEP wins in every English region, but in fourth place on 10% in Scotland, with the Greens just a single percentage point behind.

Scottish Greens co-convenor Patrick Harvie MSP explained:

MSP WELCOMES JOBS GROWTH IN RENEWABLE ENERGY

Tue 14 Jan, 2014

Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood's economy and energy committee, is welcoming figures showing growth in employment in the renewables industry in Scotland.

Research by Scottish Renewables suggests 11,695 people are currently in full-time jobs in the sector, up five per cent on the previous year, with Glasgow, the Lothians, Highlands & Islands and the North East employing the most people.

Alison said:

AN ECONOMY FOR EVERYONE - GREEN MSPs URGE NEW PRIORITIES

Wed 8 Jan, 2014

Speaking in today's Scottish Parliament debate on Scotland's economy Green MSP
Alison Johnstone argued for a new economic model that provides for everyone.

Ms Johnstone, MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood's economy committee,
said:

"We are lucky to live in a rich, developed nation but far too many people are
being left by the wayside. The independence debate gives us a chance to
imagine a new reality where the ultra-rich don't get richer and where
Governments don't punish the poorest in society.

SCHOOL MEALS CHANCE TO BOOST LOCAL ECONOMIES: GREEN MSP

Tue 7 Jan, 2014

Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and food spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today welcomed plans for free school meals for P1-3 children but urged Scottish ministers to ensure the roll-out benefits local economies.

Research last summer by Alison Johnstone revealed that the chicken served in school meals in six of Scotland's seven cities is not Scottish, but is instead imported from as far away as Thailand.

Alison Johnstone, a member of Holyrood's economy committee, said:

COURT REJECTION OF PRISONER INDYREF VOTES DISAPPOINTING

Thu 19 Dec, 2013

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow and Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, is describing today's ruling from the Court of Session on prisoner votes as a missed opportunity to aid rehabilitation.

The opinion of Lord Glennie follows attempts earlier this year by Mr Harvie to amend the Franchise Bill, which determines who gets to vote in next year's independence referendum.

Mr Harvie said:

MSP WINS BACKING FOR LONGER PEDESTRIAN CROSSING TIMES

Thu 19 Dec, 2013

Responding to questions from Lothian's Green MSP Alison Johnstone, the Scottish Transport Minister today added his support to a charity's campaign for more time to cross at pedestrian crossings.

HARVIE LAUNCHES 'RENT RIGHTS' WEBSITE TO HEAR FROM TENANTS

Thu 19 Dec, 2013

Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie has launched a new website to campaign for better standards in privately rented accommodation.

He is calling for private tenants across Scotland to share their experiences of renting and he will push for strong new measures in the upcoming Scottish Government Housing Bill.

The website covers five main themes that the Greens want to see bolder or faster action on: security of lease, the cost of renting, energy efficiency standards, eviction and harassment and transparent information about landlords and letting agents.

ALISON JOHNSTONE MSP HIGHLIGHTS BIG WAGE DROP FOR WOMEN

Wed 18 Dec, 2013

Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood's economy committee, is raising concerns as new figures show a big drop in women's wages in Scotland.

While the Office for National Statistics figures published today show that the number of women in employment in Scotland has reached a 21-year high of 1.2 million, they also show that in the past year wages have fallen.

Average weekly earnings in Scotland are down by 2.6 per cent in the past year to £522, with women seeing a 3.2 per cent drop - £15 a week - compared to a 1.6 drop for men.