Updates

Heathrow fringe undermines SNP credibility on climate

Fri 27 Nov, 2020

The fact the SNP are allowing Heathrow airport to influence policy undermines the party’s credibility on climate, the Scottish Greens have said.

Heathrow, a longstanding sponsor of SNP conference, is running a fringe event this weekend on “sustainable travel”. 

The Scottish Government signed a memorandum of understanding with Heathrow in 2016 backing a third runway and remain committed to expanding air travel, a move that would increase flight numbers and emissions in Scotland.

Scottish Govt dodges wildlife responsibilities

Thu 26 Nov, 2020

The Scottish Government has dodged its responsibilities on the nature and climate responsibilities by allowing destructive grouse moors to decide how they are to be regulated, the Scottish Greens have warned.

Having waited a year to respond to a review into Scotland’s grouse moors, ministers have now confirmed that the grouse shooting industry is unable to police itself, but indicated it will get to decide its own regulations.

In a statement to parliament environment minister Mairi Gougeon announced a further consultation on grouse moor licensing scheme will take place.

Greens: Tory spending plans cruel and economically illiterate

Wed 25 Nov, 2020

The Scottish Greens have slammed the UK Spending review as cruel and economically illiterate for placing the economic fallout of the pandemic on the shoulders of those who have already suffered the worst from it.

The Chancellor’s spending review focused on the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, but failed to mention those that had made an enormous amount of money from the crisis.

Greens force Tory climbdown on teacher standards

Wed 25 Nov, 2020

The UK Government has been forced by Greens to improve protections for Scottish teaching standards in the controversial Internal Market Bill.

The bill, which seeks to undermine the powers of devolved nations, would have forced the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) to register individuals as qualified teachers, even if they did not meet the high professional standards required to teach in Scotland, so long as they met the lower standards required in England.