Scottish Greens

Green MSP reacts to council decision to reject refugee detention centre

Tue 8 Nov, 2016

“Refugees and immigrants” are still the losers from today’s detention centre decision at Renfrewshire Council says a Green MSP.

Councillors in Paisley voted against a replacement for the notorious Dungavel detention centre, which was heavily criticised by civic Scotland for its inhumane treatment of detainees, to be built near Glasgow Airport.

Green MSP Ross Greer, who was at the demonstration outside the council’s headquarters, has vowed to continue campaigning for a fairer asylum policy, controlled by Holyrood.

It seems clear that fracking is doomed

Tue 8 Nov, 2016

Mark Ruskell MSP, Energy & Environment spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (8 Nov) said research into fracking published by the Scottish Government shows the risky drilling technique looks doomed.

Green MSPs led Holyrood's first debate on fracking in 2014, calling for a ban.

Today's reports identify a “gap in the regulations relating to decommissioning, aftercare and long-term well failure liabilities of onshore wells.”

The reports also state that if fracking goes ahead it will make meeting climate change targets in other areas harder.

It’s right that MSPs are consulted before Article 50 is triggered

Tue 8 Nov, 2016

Responding to news that Scotland's Lord Advocate is to argue that the consent of the Scottish Parliament should be sought before Article 50 is triggered, Ross Greer MSP, Europe spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said:

Action needed on housing as figures show rent rises

Tue 8 Nov, 2016

Andy Wightman MSP, Housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (8 Nov) urged action on Scotland's housing crisis after new figures showed that between 2015 and 2016, 17 out of 18 areas of Scotland saw increases in average rent levels.

From 2010 to 2016, Lothian, Greater Glasgow and Aberdeen City and Shire all saw 2 bedroom average rents increase above the rate of inflation.

Lothian has seen the highest increase, with average monthly rents rising by 25.1 per cent over 6 years. Lothian has the highest average monthly rent for a 2 bedroom property at £831.

Continuing rise in people stuck in hospital is deeply concerning

Tue 8 Nov, 2016

Alison Johnstone MSP, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (8 Nov) expressed concern as figures showed a continuing increase in the number of people stuck in hospital waiting for social care support.

There were 1,524 people who experience delayed discharge from hospital in September, a rise from 1,472 in August and a rise from 1,258 in September last year.

70 per cent of people experiencing a delay were aged over 75.

Greens call for Scotland games to be shown free on TV

Mon 7 Nov, 2016

A Green MSP is campaigning for all of Scotland’s qualification football matches to be made available to watch on terrestrial television.

Ahead of Scotland’s game against England on Friday (11 Nov), Alison Johnstone MSP is calling for the SFA to sign a deal with a free-to-air broadcaster to allow more fans to watch Scotland attempt to qualify for a major tournament. Matches involving Gordon Strachan’s team are broadcast exclusively on Sky until 2018.

We must prevent police withdrawal from communities

Mon 7 Nov, 2016

John Finnie MSP, Justice spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, has today (7 Nov) written to the Chief Constable after it emerged that dozens of police stations are under threat of closure.

Buildings in 58 locations are being reviewed.

Details have emerged in response to a Freedom of Information request from BBC Scotland.

John Finnie, Justice spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said:

Minority government could mean better dialogue, law & budgets

Patrick Harvie Sat 5 Nov, 2016

Many people in Scotland will be disappointed with the modesty of reforms to the council tax agreed by MSPs this week.

The Scottish Government often talks about how decisions on Scotland’s future would be best taken at the Scottish Parliament rather than at Westminster – and Greens agree.

Greer: Concerns for safety of arrested Turkish MP

Fri 4 Nov, 2016

Green MSP Ross Greer has raised concerns for the safety of a Turkish MP he sponsors after it emerged she was arrested last night.

Level heads prevail over Council Tax

Thu 3 Nov, 2016

Andy Wightman MSP, Local Government spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, welcomed tonight's vote in Parliament which enables changes to Council Tax and saw the Scottish Government forced to accept widespread concerns about their approach to local taxation.

Ministers had attempted to amend Mr Wightman's amendment to the Government motion, in a bid to delete modest criticisms of the Government.