Scottish Greens

APD CALL MASKS REAL ISSUE - RICH AIRLINES GETTING OFF SCOT-FREE

Wed 11 Dec, 2013

Responding to today's comments by Scottish transport minister Keith Brown on air passenger duty, Green MSP Alison Johnstone says the real issue is airlines not paying their fair share of taxes.

The minister's suggestion of a tax cut comes as European airlines forecast increased annual profits of over a billion pounds.

Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood's economy, energy and tourism committee, said:

FUEL POVERTY FIGURES SHOW URGENT NEED TO FAST-TRACK INSULATION

Tue 10 Dec, 2013

New figures showing fuel poverty continues to affect over a quarter of Scottish households are proof that a national insulation scheme needs to be fast-tracked, according to Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie.

Figures show that most of the 3 per cent reduction in fuel poverty is due to energy efficiency measures, which Greens have been persistent in demanding from the Scottish Government. 647,000 homes - 27 per cent of all households - remain in fuel poverty. The figure for extreme fuel poverty is unchanged at 170,000 homes - 8 per cent of all households.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

comms Fri 6 Dec, 2013

As retailers gear up for the busiest shopping weekend of the year, I’m encouraging people to do what they can to support local firms.

I’m backing the Small Business Saturday campaign which is urging the public to shop local on 7 December.

AUTUMN STATEMENT SHOWS NEED TO DIVERGE FROM FLAWED ECONOMIC MODEL

Thu 5 Dec, 2013

Scottish Greens say today's Autumn Statement by UK Chancellor George Osborne shows why Scotland would be wise to take the opportunity to set its own economic course.

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow and Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, said:

Thoughts on peace and the Clutha Vaults tragedy

comms Wed 4 Dec, 2013

The tragic incident that resulted in the loss of life and serious injuries for many people on Friday evening, at the Clutha Vaults have been in my thoughts this weekend. Yesterday, I attended a gathering to promote women's role in peacemaking organised by the Glasgow Peace Federation. At the beginning of event, there was a minute's silence for the victims, their families and the staff from the emergency services involved in the rescue effort.

MSP ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE DAMAGING "GROWTH DUTY" FROM BILL

Wed 4 Dec, 2013

Green MSP Alison Johnstone today attempted to amend the Scottish Government's Regulatory Reform Bill to remove a new duty on Scottish regulators to 'promote economic growth'. The move was supported by Labour MSPs but did not succeed.

In their evidence on the Bill to the Economy Committee, organisations including the STUC, Oxfam, Scottish Environment Link, the Law Society of Scotland and Consumer Futures expressed many concerns about the new duty and how it will interact with the primary purpose of regulator's work.

PATRICK HARVIE MSP URGES RENT CONTROLS TO PROTECT TENANTS

Wed 4 Dec, 2013

In today's Scottish Parliament debate on housing, Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow, will urge the Scottish Government to consider rent controls as a way of protecting the growing number of private sector tenants.

Mr Harvie said:

Even the longest journey begins with a single step

comms Wed 27 Nov, 2013

Even the longest journey begins with a single step. In publishing “Scotland’s Future” the SNP Government has provided its routemap for the first steps the country will take if the voters decide it’s a Yes in September next year.

For many people, the longstanding question of independence has always been a distant, slightly abstract idea. From today on it will become an increasingly practical one; a choice we could actually make in the real world. A door that’s already open, waiting for us to walk through if we choose to.

WHITE PAPER ONLY THE START OF THE JOURNEY

Tue 26 Nov, 2013

Scottish Greens are describing the Scottish Government's White Paper on independence, published today (26 Nov), as the start the journey towards a better Scotland.

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow and co-convener of the Scottish Greens, said:

"The White Paper is a hefty document that deserves serious consideration. It’s simply not credible for Better Together campaigners to dismiss it out of hand within seconds of the launch.

MAGGIE CHAPMAN SELECTED AS SCOTTISH GREENS CO-CONVENER

Mon 25 Nov, 2013

Edinburgh councillor Maggie Chapman has been selected as the new co-convener of the Scottish Green Party, succeeding Councillor Martha Wardrop who did not stand for re-election.

Ms Chapman, the Scottish Greens' lead candidate in May's European election, is a lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University, an Educational Institute of Education Universities' Lecturers Association activist and councillor for the Leith Walk ward in the capital.