Scottish Greens

Andy Wightman: Market forces that sell out our families

sla15692 Fri 20 Jan, 2017

Every time I walk along South Bridge in Edinburgh, my eyes are always drawn to a small digital sign that sits unobtrusively outside a hotel advertising that day’s daily tariff. Over time, I’ve come to realise that you can expect to pay anything from £40 per night on a midweek day in winter through to £200 per night to stay within a stone’s throw of most cultural attractions at the height of the Festival in August. Whenever I see this sign I like to think of it as a sort of economic barometer.

Scotland's economy & public health at risk from inaction on climate change

Thu 19 Jan, 2017

Today's publication of the Scottish Government's climate plan shows that ministers are not listening to expert advice, according to Scottish Greens environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP.

The climate plan outlines how ministers intend to reduce emissions by 66 per cent by 2032 compared to 1990 levels.

Only half of recommendations for action from the independent UK Committee on Climate Change appear in the plan.

Mark Ruskell, Environment spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Mid-Scotland & Fife, said:

Andy highlights problems from sharp rise in properties available for short-term rent

Thu 19 Jan, 2017

Andy Wightman MSP, Housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (19 Jan) used General Questions at Holyrood to urge ministers to consider stronger regulations to address problems caused by a sharp rise in properties available for short-term rent.

Mr Wightman, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, highlighted that a number of his Edinburgh constituents have been affected by the growth of the sector.

Andy said:

20mph default limit in residential areas would encourage everyday journeys by bike

Wed 18 Jan, 2017

Mark Ruskell MSP, Environment spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (18 Jan) hit out at the "tired, old, reheated" ideas put forward by the Scottish Government's transport agency as it looks set to fail its target on cycling.

The "refreshed" Transport Scotland Cycling Action Plan admits that achieving 10 per cent of all journeys by bike by 2020 "will be challenging”. The current rate is 1.2 per cent.

Mark Ruskell, Environment spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Mid-Scotland & Fife, said:

Investment in teachers and graduates in nurseries is a step in the right direction

Wed 18 Jan, 2017

Alison Johnstone MSP, Children & Young People spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (18 Jan) urged Scottish Ministers to prioritise the Living Wage for nursery staff in light of today's announcement by the First Minister.

Nicola Sturgeon has promised £1.5million to recruit more teachers and graduates for nurseries in deprived areas.

Alison Johnstone, Children & Young People spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said:

Social Security Committee to investigate citizen’s income

Wed 18 Jan, 2017

Commenting on plans by Holyrood's Social Security Committee to investigate the feasibility of introducing a citizen’s income, Alison Johnstone MSP, Social Security spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said:

NHS review must be acted upon so we don’t have a repeat of winter chaos

Tue 17 Jan, 2017

Alison Johnstone MSP, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (17 Jan) welcomed a review of NHS staffing as figures showed a big increase in the number of people waiting to seen at Accident & Emergency departments.

The percentage of people seen and discharged with 4 hours fell from 93.5% in the week ending 25 December to 92.3% in the week ending 1 January and 87.9% in the week ending 8 January.

Over the same period the number of people waiting over 8 hours to be seen rose from 75 to 454 and the number waiting over 12 hours rose from 6 to 101.

Growing problem of air pollution is a public health crisis

Tue 17 Jan, 2017

Mark Ruskell, Environment spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (17 Jan) used Topical Questions at Holyrood to challenge Scottish Ministers over their lack of action on the growing problem of air pollution from traffic.

The number of pollution zones in Scotland where safety standards are regularly broken has risen to 38 - five more than last year.

The most polluted zones include Bearsden, Glasgow, Johnstone, Coatbridge, Crieff, Cambuslang, Linlithgow, Edinburgh, Musselburgh, Falkirk, Dunfermline, Dundee, Perth, Aberdeen and Inverness.

Theresa May must clarify stance on Scotland after Brexit speech

Tue 17 Jan, 2017

A speech by the Prime Minister confirming the UK will not remain in the European Single Market after Brexit has been slammed as “confused, contradictory and dangerous” by the Scottish Greens.

The party’s external affairs spokesperson says that Theresa May must urgently clarify if the Scottish Government’s European proposals will be considered and if Holyrood will have a say in the “final agreement”.

Greer also says that an independence referendum now “looks unavoidable”.

Ross Greer MSP, the Scottish Greens’ external affairs spokesperson, said:

SQA need to show they are serious about listening to teachers and students

Tue 17 Jan, 2017

Ross Greer MSP, Education spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (17 Jan) welcomed a report from Holyrood's Education committee, backing his concerns about the SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) and the Scottish Government's plans to scrap the Scottish Funding Council.