Scottish Greens

Ineos’ bullish behaviour is utterly misplaced

Tue 27 Sep, 2016

Responding to comments by Ineos boss Jim Ratcliffe, Mark Ruskell MSP, Climate & Energy spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said:

Mark Ruskell.jpg

PM unwilling to recognise pro-EU mood in Scotland say Greens

Mon 26 Sep, 2016

Comments by the Prime Minister suggesting that Scotland does not care about European Union membership have been challenged by the Scottish Greens.

Writing in Holyrood magazine, Theresa May says “the union which really matters to Scotland” is not the EU, prompting criticism from Ross Greer MSP who says the Prime Minster should instead be “spelling out her intentions” to safeguard the free movement of people.

GPs, nurses & pharmacists must have resources to prevent a crisis

Alison Johnstone Fri 23 Sep, 2016

The decision of the UK government to impose a contract on junior doctors in England has led to an ongoing employment battle that shows no signs of ending soon. In Scotland the symptoms of our own GP crisis are developing.

Progress on common land law

Fri 23 Sep, 2016

Andy Wightman MSP, Land Reform spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today welcomed confirmation that the Scottish Law Commission will consider the repeal of an archaic piece of legislation which allowed landowners to divide and privatise vast swathes of common land.

In January this year Green MSPs lodged amendments to the Land Reform Bill seeking to repeal the Division of Commonties Act 1695, resulting in ministers announcing a review of common land legislation.

FM asked to work with Greens to stop sanctions in Scotland

Thu 22 Sep, 2016

Patrick Harvie asked the First Minister today to confirm there will be no Scottish sanctions when powers over welfare are devolved to Holyrood.

Our proposals highlight how unfair the Government’s Council Tax plans are

Thu 22 Sep, 2016

The Scottish Greens today (22 Sept) outline alternative proposals to amend Council Tax to highlight how regressive and unfair the Scottish Government’s plans are.

Lothian MSP and prominent local democracy campaigner Andy Wightman will say in Holyrood’s Reforming Local Taxation debate that the outdated system means that most properties are in the wrong band.

Alison secures commitment over project that helps children in poverty

Wed 21 Sep, 2016

Alison Johnstone MSP, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today secured a commitment from the Health Secretary to roll out a project that improves the health of children in poverty by boosting family incomes.

In a Holyrood debate on the NHS, Alison highlighted the Greens' desire to see Glasgow's Healthier Wealthier Children project applied across the country. The project involves midwives and health visitors helping low income families access financial support and is backed by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health.

Scot Gov publishing budget so late scrutiny becomes almost meaningless

Wed 21 Sep, 2016

Patrick Harvie MSP, Finance spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today highlighted concerns by the Parliament's Finance Committee that there won't be enough opportunity for scrutiny of the Scottish Government's proposed 2017-18 Scottish Budget.

The committee, of which Mr Harvie is a member, has written to the Finance Secretary to say that it is "unacceptable" that he is not prepared to publish any scenario planning in advance of the draft budget, despite an earlier promise. The committee has also tabled a motion in Parliament calling for a debate on the issue.

Taskforce needed to tackle dogfighting says green MSP

Wed 21 Sep, 2016

A call for the Scottish Government to set up a national taskforce to deal with organised dogfighting was made at Holyrood today by a Green MSP.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell also asked the minister for community safety what action the government is “taking to detect, prevent and prosecute dogfighting offences”.

Mark Ruskell MSP said:

Unit assessments major source of staff workload and pupil stress

Wed 21 Sep, 2016

Ross Greer MSP, Education spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today welcomed the announcement by the Education Secretary that unit assessments for qualifications at National 5 and Higher level are to end.