Harvie: Scotland must be given a way out of Brexit crisis

Thu 21 Mar, 2019

Scottish Greens Parliamentary Co Leader Patrick Harvie has today (21 March) called on the First Minister to reveal her preferred timing for an independence referendum, in light of the impending Brexit disaster.

In January, the First Minister advised that she would update the people of Scotland in a matter of weeks. Two months later, no announcement has yet been made. In light of the crisis brought about by the Prime Minister, Scotland needs the opportunity to take a different decision.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

Johnstone and Harvie to become parliamentary co leaders

Sat 2 Mar, 2019

Alison Johnstone MSP and Patrick Harvie MSP have today (2 March) been confirmed as the Co-Leaders of the Scottish Greens Parliamentary Group following a meeting of the Scottish Green Party National Council, who approved the proposals brought forward by the MSP group.

The MSPs will share leadership responsibilities in parliament including speaking for the party at set piece events such as First Ministers Questions, which Ms Johnstone will do for the first time this Thursday.

Maggie Chapman remains a Co-Convenor of the party's national Council.

HARVIE: SPEED UP ACTION ON ASYLUM SEEKER HOUSING

Wed 27 Feb, 2019

Scottish Greens MSP Patrick Harvie has called on the Scottish Government to step up action on emergency housing for asylum seekers, after new guidance was issued today (27 February 2019) by local government body COSLA.

The guidance explores how councils can provide support for vulnerable people who are classed under UK immigration law as having no recourse to public funds. It clarifies that there is no general prohibition on using public funds and that charities can be supported to provide assistance in line with their legal objectives to relieve poverty and destitution.

Budget vote confirms irrelevance of Labour and shallowness of Tories

Thu 21 Feb, 2019

The Scottish Greens say tonight's (21 Feb) final vote in parliament on the 2019-20 Scottish Budget will confirm the irrelevance of Labour and the shallowness of the Tories.

Green MSPs were the only group in parliament to engage seriously in the budget process, forcing changes to SNP spending plans.

Greens Set Out Income Tax Stance Ahead Of Vote On Rates

Tue 19 Feb, 2019

Ahead of tonight's vote in parliament to agree the Scottish rates and bands of Income Tax, Scottish Green MSPs are setting out their stance, warning the government that it cannot afford to stall on action to reduce inequality and protect public services.

Harvie accuses Scot Gov of giving ScotRail operator Abellio a free pass to fail

Thu 7 Feb, 2019

Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie MSP today (7 Feb) accused the Scottish Government of giving ScotRail operator Abellio a free pass to fail.

Challenging the Deputy First Minister at Question Time in Parliament, Mr Harvie pointed out the chaos caused by this morning's signalling failure in Glasgow.

Figures released earlier this week showed 2,691 ScotRail services were cancelled due to a lack of staff since April last year.

Recently there have been reports of overcrowding causing passengers to have panic attacks and faint.

Patrick said:

Green budget deal: Immediate boost & long-terms reforms to protect local services

Thu 31 Jan, 2019

The Scottish Greens this afternoon (31 Jan) confirmed agreement has been reached with Scottish Ministers on a significant package of immediate budget changes and bold long-terms reforms to boost the funding of local council services such as schools and social care.

Ahead of tonight's Stage One vote on the Budget, ministers are promising that in return for Green support they will amend their spending plans. Compared with the plans set out in the SNP’s budget in December, local councils will have access to a package worth over £200million to spend as they see fit.

Greens cannot support budget due to SNP stubbornness on council funding

Sun 27 Jan, 2019

Patrick Harvie MSP today (27 Jan) warned that as things stand the Green group of MSPs cannot support the government’s proposed budget at the Stage One vote in Parliament on Thursday (31 Jan), due to SNP Ministers’ “stubbornness” on council funding.

Over the last two years, constructive pressure from the Scottish Greens has resulted in the government cancelling over £300million of planned cuts to council budgets. The 2019/20 budget contains fresh proposed cuts, with councils across Scotland warning of dire consequences.