Scottish Greens

Johnstone urges Scot Gov to heed report by Social Security Committee on Child Poverty Bill

22 May, 2017 - 13:20

Alison Johnstone MSP, Social Security spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (22 May) urged the Scottish Government to heed a report by Holyrood's Social Security Committee on the proposed Child Poverty Bill.

The report recommends that the Bill should include a challenging target to address persistent poverty, and interim targets for "greater immediacy".

The Committee, of which Alison Johnstone is a member, also recommends making full use of Scottish social security powers and providing advice to parents and carers to boost their incomes.

We will fight Tory plans for compulsory photo-ID at elections

19 May, 2017 - 12:44

The Scottish Greens will lead a campaign to ensure that Tory plans for compulsory photo-ID at elections are not replicated in Scotland.

Patrick Harvie MSP, the Scottish Greens’ co-convener, has written to Derek Mackay, the cabinet secretary with responsibility for elections, seeking a guarantee that the Scottish Government will stand against the “damaging and authoritarian” proposal in the Conservative Party’s general election manifesto.

Harvie says the move will result in “marginalised people losing their ability to vote”.

Devolution of Disability Living Allowance & Carers Benefit gives us a chance to create a fairer, more equal Scotland

Alison Johnstone MSP Fri 19 May

This week was an important one in Scotland’s devolution journey. Responsibility to legislate for a range of benefits, including Disability Living Allowance and Carers Benefit, was formally passed to the Scottish Parliament.

Time to give all children in Scotland the same level of protection from assault as adults

John Finnie MSP Fri 19 May

I’m sure all of us want Scotland to be among the most progressive, socially just, and equal nations in the world. We all want our children to be happy, healthy and to give them the very best start in life. Yet in 2017, we still afford children less protection from assault than adults.

Scotland cannot be thought of as the best place in the world for children to grow up while our law gives children less protection from assault than everyone else. We know conclusively that permitting the physical punishment of children can be detrimental to children’s long term health and wellbeing.

Harvie pushes First Minister for fox hunting ban in Scotland

18 May, 2017 - 15:17

The First Minister was pressed to reveal if Scotland will take a drastically different approach to the Tories’ plans for foxhunting in England and Wales

At First Minister’s Questions, Patrick Harvie MSP, the Scottish Greens’ co-convener highlighted how the Conservative Party’s manifesto gives a commitment for a vote on the issue in the House of Commons and how a Tory MSP, who recently resigned, proudly claimed that foxhunting was a “way of life” for her.

Harvie restates intention to change Air Departure Tax Bill after SNP & Tory MSPs block his attempts

17 May, 2017 - 11:46

Patrick Harvie MSP, Economy spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (17 May) restated his intention to make changes to the Air Departure Tax Bill after SNP and Tory MSPs blocked his attempt to make the tax more sustainable.

Harvie to amend Air Departure Tax Bill to stop socially and environmentally damaging tax cut

17 May, 2017 - 07:33

Patrick Harvie MSP, Economy spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, will today (17 May) put forward amendments to the Air Departure Tax Bill to stop the Scottish Government's plans for a socially and environmentally damaging tax cut for airlines.

The Bill is due to be debated today at Holyrood's Finance Committee, and Mr Harvie's amendments ask for an aviation emissions policy to be developed before the new tax's rates and bands are set, and for that policy to include a drive to reduce emissions compared to 2005 levels.

Greer criticises Education Secretary for calling on college lecturers to end strike action

16 May, 2017 - 15:28

Ross Greer MSP, Education spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (16 May) criticised Education Secretary John Swinney for calling on college lecturers to end their strike action, despite management failing to honour a pay deal agreed over a year ago.

Mr Greer has repeatedly called on the Scottish Government to intervene in the ongoing dispute, and today Mr Swinney announced that an independent facilitator has been appointed to help negotiations but that ministers expect lecturers to call off further strikes.

Safer Streets consultation launched

15 May, 2017 - 13:50

Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell today (15 May) launched a three month consultation on his proposed "Safer Streets" member's bill, which would lower the default speed limit in urban areas from 30 to 20 mph.

Yesterday, an opinion poll showed that most Scots support the idea, while a quarter say the lower limit would make them more likely to walk or cycle.

Mark Ruskell MSP said:

Greer responds to education committee report on additional support needs

15 May, 2017 - 11:48

The Scottish Greens have responded to a report by the Scottish Parliament’s education committee highlighting how the “inadequate” support given to chi

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