Scotland falling behind on COVID testing

Thu 1 Oct, 2020

Scotland is falling behind on COVID testing, the Scottish Greens have warned.

Scotland is testing fewer a day per 1,000 people than the UK average. This is despite the National Clinical Director claiming at COVID committee yesterday that Scotland was “at the top of the league table”, testing more than anyone else. [1]

At First Minister’s Questions Scottish Greens health spokesperson Alison Johnstone raised the fact Scotland closed a testing lab ahead of the anticipated spikes in cases as schools and universities returned.

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Scotland falling behind on COVID testing

Thu 1 Oct, 2020

Scotland is falling behind on COVID testing, the Scottish Greens have warned.

Scotland is testing fewer a day per 1,000 people than the UK average. This is despite the National Clinical Director claiming at COVID committee yesterday that Scotland was “at the top of the league table”, testing more than anyone else. [1]

At First Minister’s Questions Scottish Greens health spokesperson Alison Johnstone raised the fact Scotland closed a testing lab ahead of the anticipated spikes in cases as schools and universities returned.

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Patrick Harvie: EU correct to say UK has failed to act in good faith

Thu 1 Oct, 2020

Responding to reports that the European Commission has initiated legal proceedings against the UK for breaching the withdrawal agreement, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“The President of the European Commission is right to say that the UK Government has failed to act in good faith. The Tory position has undermined discussions with the EU, it has jeopardised the Good Friday Agreement, and it has run a coach and horses through the devolution settlement.

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Serious questions over closure of COVID testing lab

Thu 1 Oct, 2020

Serious questions must be answered about why a COVID-19 testing lab was allowed to close during the pandemic when the World Health Organisation puts testing as the first priority in tackling the virus, the Scottish Greens have said.

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Scottish Greens: Glasgow Subway must be saved

Wed 30 Sep, 2020

The Scottish Greens have launched a campaign to save the Glasgow Subway in light of emergency funding for SPT coming to an end today (Wednesday 30 September).

The vital service has also received no funding to cover its £4.5m losses between April and June, and with no guarantee of further funding, the public operator has said it will have no choice but to make cuts to transport services across the region.

Commenting, Scottish Greens co-leader and Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie said:

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Disappointment at lack of just transition for Mossmorran

Wed 30 Sep, 2020

Campaigners have expressed disappointment after the Scottish Government rejected proposals for a just transition board for the Mossmorran gas plant in Fife.

Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell heard from local residents, Friends of the Earth and Climate Camp Scotland in a live event following his debate in the Scottish Parliament on the future of the plant, which got cross-party support.

However, the Scottish Government refused to act.

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Scottish universities left behind on routine testing

Wed 30 Sep, 2020

Scottish universities risk being left behind due to the Scottish Government’s reluctance to introduce routine testing on campus, Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell has said.

Speaking at the Scottish Parliament’s Covid-19 Committee today Mr Ruskell highlighted the work being undertaken by the University of Cambridge which announced that all undergraduate and postgraduate students living in university accommodation would be offered a weekly covid test, regardless of whether they show symptoms.

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Scottish Greens call for student support package

Tue 29 Sep, 2020

Scottish Greens Education Spokesperson Ross Greer MSP has proposed a support package for university students following the chaotic situation that has emerged in student halls.

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Greens welcome STUC report on green recovery

Tue 29 Sep, 2020

The Scottish Greens have warmly welcomed a new report from the Scottish Trades Union Congress which shows public ownership is central to a green recovery which will create thousands of unionised jobs.

Published today, ‘The People’s Recovery: A New Track for the Scottish Economy’ makes a progressive alternative to recovery plans from the Scottish and UK Governments which remain focused on GDP growth above jobs and tackling the climate emergency.

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UK Government treating Holyrood with contempt

Tue 29 Sep, 2020

Scottish Greens have accused the UK Government of treating the devolved parliaments with contempt, ahead of Michael Gove’s appearance at Holyrood's Finance and Constitution Committee today.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will appear online to give evidence on the UK Internal Market Bill, because the minister in charge of the bill, Alok Sharma, repeatedly refused to engage with the Committee.

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