Young people need a solution, not empty words from FM 

Thu 6 Aug, 2020

Responding to remarks from the First Minister that her younger self would 'very possibly' have joined exams protest, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said: 

Greens welcome jobs guarantee but call for more action 

Wed 5 Aug, 2020

Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP today welcomed a commitment from the Scottish Government to deliver a Scottish job guarantee but warned that greater investment would be required if it was to deliver for every young person in Scotland. 

Commenting on the Economy Secretary’s response to the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery report and the Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board report Mr Harvie cautioned that the Scottish Government’s position was ‘underwhelming’. 

Patrick Harvie MSP said: 

Patrick Harvie responds to Tory coronation 

Wed 5 Aug, 2020

Responding to the installation by Boris Johnson of Douglas Ross as leader of the Conservatives in Scotland, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said: 

“Just months ago, the Scottish Tories were maintaining the pretence that they were something different from the extremist No-Deal Brexiteers of the Boris Johnson camp. Today the installation of Douglas Ross as their part time, absentee leader without even asking their members confirms that there isn’t a hint of difference between them.

Business support must benefit workers

Fri 31 Jul, 2020

Scottish Enterprise support for hospitality businesses must come with fair work conditionality if the Scottish Government is to build back better, the Scottish Greens have warned.

The call comes as a new Hotel Recovery Programme is launched, providing individual grants of up to £250,000.

Conditionality is a key recommendation of the Scottish Government’s economic recovery advisory group, led by Benny Higgins. Its report said: “The use of conditions in the allocation of grants and loans should be pursued actively.” 

UK internal market white paper is a threat to democracy

Thu 30 Jul, 2020

The UK’s internal market white paper poses a threat to devolution and Scotland’s democracy, the Scottish Greens have warned.

Fears raised by the Scottish Greens about the white paper last week have since been echoed by the Scottish and Welsh Governments.

Over 2,800 people have written to UK Business Secretary Alok Sharma via the Scottish Greens website to reject the proposals. 

Scottish Greens: COVID testing must be ready for schools return

Thu 30 Jul, 2020

Regular testing must underpin the return of schools from 11 August, the Scottish Greens have said.

First Minister Nicola Surgeon has confirmed that school will return from 11 August, supported by an ‘enhanced surveillance programme’ of testing.

However, under questioning by Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie, she could not confirm the testing programme would be in place for the start of term. Instead, she said it would be phased in.

Patrick Harvie calls for test and trace focus as possible Glasgow COVID cluster investigated

Wed 29 Jul, 2020

Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie has urged businesses and citizens to play their part in contact tracing after it emerged a possible cluster of new cases of COVID-19 was being investigated in the Glasgow area.

The cases were reported by the First Minister at her daily briefing.

Responding, the Scottish Greens co-leader said: “We don’t yet know if or how these new cases are connected, and contact tracing is the only way to get the information we need.

Scottish Greens demand Tories abandon veto over Scottish democracy

Fri 24 Jul, 2020

The UK Government must abandon plans to introduce an effective veto over the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Greens have said.

Patrick Harvie: Johnson flag waving is 'preposterous'

Thu 23 Jul, 2020

Commenting on the Prime Minister's visit to Orkney to defend the union today, Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie said:

“The idea that those who have lost their jobs or homes as a result of this crisis might be comforted by the Prime Minister flying a union flag in Orkney is preposterous.