Energy price hike will plunge families further into poverty

Mon 27 Feb, 2023

A forecast increase in energy costs in April will have a devastating impact on household bills and plunge families across Scotland and beyond into destitution and poverty, say the Scottish Greens.

This follows the announcement that although Ofgem’s energy price cap is falling, the loss of government support means that bills are likely to shoot up in April. Energy consultancy Cornwall Insights has said that bills are likely to increase by £500 a year.

The Scottish Greens energy spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP said:

Tory veto threat on Deposit Return Scheme would undermine devolution and environment

Mon 27 Feb, 2023

Any attempts by the Tory government to block Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme would damage our environment and seriously undermine devolution, say the Scottish Greens. 

The Scottish Government plans to launch the scheme on August 16, a full two years ahead of the UK government’s own weaker, glass-free version.

But Ministers at Westminster are reportedly considering vetoing the scheme using new powers given to themselves by the Brexit made Internal Market Act.

Scottish Greens climate spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said:

Scottish Greens call for urgent action to protect refugees from far-right attacks

Sun 26 Feb, 2023

Everyone seeking sanctuary in Scotland should be housed safely in the community, not unsuitable accommodation, say the Scottish Greens. 

Bernie Sanders is right, Scotland should have a choice over its future

Sun 26 Feb, 2023

Scotland should have the chance to decide its own future, say the Scottish Greens.

This follows an intervention from US Senator Bernie Sanders, who told Sky News that he "very much appreciate[s] what the people of Scotland have done" and "what they're fighting for." Sanders then added "If they want to go their own way, they should be allowed to."

The Scottish Greens external affairs spokesperson, Ross Greer MSP, himself a former organiser for the Sanders’ campaign during the Democrats Abroad primary in Scotland, said:

Deposit Return Scheme is vital step on journey to a cleaner and greener future

Sun 26 Feb, 2023

Scotland’s deposit Return Scheme will be a vital step on our journey to a cleaner, greener future, say the Scottish Greens.

Speaking on the Sunday Show this morning, the Scottish Greens co-leader, Lorna Slater MSP, who is overseeing the launch of the Scheme, said:

“This scheme is so important for how we reach net zero in Scotland. It is so important for how we clean up our parks and get broken glass off our streets. I know businesses are committed to making it work, as am I.”

The scheme will go live on August 16th.

Statement | Search for missing tug crew near Greenock

Sat 25 Feb, 2023

West Scotland MSP Ross Greer said:

“This is devastating news. All of our thoughts and prayers are very much with the family, friends and colleagues of those involved.

“I also pay tribute to the coastguard, RNLI and all those who assisted with the search and rescue effort. Investigators should now be given the space needed to look into the circumstances of this terrible incident.

“In the meantime I offer my condolences and those of the Scottish Greens at this most difficult of times.”

Time to reject the Tory scaremongering over Deposit Return Scheme

Fri 24 Feb, 2023

by Mark Ruskell MSP

First the Tories backed a delay to Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme, then they wanted it sped up, now today they are calling for it to be stopped.

What a reckless message this sends out to the hundreds of business who have quietly invested millions in the scheme.

Reverse Vending Machines are being ordered, product packaging is being re-configured, staff training programmes rolled out, new jobs are being created.

Flamingo Land: Time to see off inappropriate Loch Lomond development for good

Fri 24 Feb, 2023

Flamingo Land’s revised plans for an ‘exclusive resort’ on the shores of Loch Lomond prove that the developer is running scared of local opposition, say the Scottish Greens.

This comes as the Yorkshire-based company submitted revised plans for their proposed development at Balloch.

The developers dropped previous plans in 2019 after a campaign led by the Scottish Greens submitted a record 60,000 objections. There have already been 40,000 objections to the current proposal, lodged in 2022.

Today the world stands still for Ukraine

Fri 24 Feb, 2023

by Lorna Slater MSP

And then the world stood still. Numbed. Wondering how the Hell did we get here? How could it happen again?

Today I’ll lay a wreath at a service in Edinburgh in commemoration of all who have died in the bloody, illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine.

At 11am, we will as a nation fall silent for a moment of reflection. But as we do, the fighting goes on. 

The guns will still fire, the shells will still explode, the tears will flood. 

Vladimir Putin must end his war

Fri 24 Feb, 2023

The Co-leaders of the Scottish Greens have joined international condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “Kremlin war machine” and have reiterated the party’s “enduring” support to the people of Ukraine.

Patrick Harvie MSP and Lorna Slater MSP, both Ministers in the Scottish Government, said Ukraine’s determination to secure a just peace would prove stronger than Putin’s obsession with destruction, and said a cessation of Russian violence was essential.