Uni testing centres needed urgently say Greens

Wed 16 Sep, 2020

Responding to the First Minister’s announcement that a single walk-through testing centre is to open in Glasgow on Saturday, and that it will be weeks before similar facilities open in Scotland’s other university towns and cities, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“We saw the testing system break down when children returned to school last month, resulting in families being sent across the country in search of a test. It would be unacceptable if a similar situation occurred again as the university term begins.

UK Government no show is an insult to democracy

Wed 16 Sep, 2020

UK Business secretary Alok Sharma has refused to give evidence on his own UK Internal Market Bill at the Scottish Parliament.

If passed, the bill will give the UK Government a veto over any devolved decision which it decides threatens commercial interests.

Commenting on the news, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said:

Overwhelming majority view climate crisis as an urgent problem

Tue 15 Sep, 2020

An overwhelming majority of Scots view climate change as an immediate and urgent problem according to the Scottish Household Survey.

The study shows that the proportion of adults viewing climate change as an immediate and urgent problem has risen from 46% in 2013 to 68% in 2019, prompting the Scottish Greens to call on the Scottish Government to stop tinkering and deliver bold climate action.

Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:

University testing essential say Greens

Mon 14 Sep, 2020

The Scottish Government must ensure that walk-through coronavirus testing facilities are open and operational in all of Scotland’s universities towns, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP has said.

The testing system broke down last month when pupils returned to school, and with universities beginning their terms Mr Harvie has called on the Scottish Government to ensure that this isn’t repeated.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

Scottish Greens comment on survation poll

Fri 11 Sep, 2020

Commenting on a new Survation poll which shows that the Scottish Greens are set to elect more MSPs than ever before at the next Scottish Parliament election, that the Scottish Greens are the only opposition party to enjoy an increase in support, and that support for independence has also increased, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:

Scottish Greens: Access to tests vital for students

Fri 11 Sep, 2020

Scotland’s COVID-19 testing capacity must be ready for the start of the university term, the Scottish Greens have said.

At First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie raised the fact that the system had been overloaded when schools returned, with many parents having to travel hundreds of miles to access a test.

Patrick Harvie said: “We saw that the testing system broke down when children returned to school last month. With university terms commencing next week, we need to make sure the same doesn’t happen again, and that students are kept safe.

Scottish Greens: Illegal bill is assault on devolution

Wed 9 Sep, 2020

The UK Government’s Internal Market Bill is a direct assault on the principles of devolution and must be scrapped, the Scottish Greens have said.

In a bill the UK Government has admitted breaks international law, a veto over any devolved decision is placed in the hands of a new ‘Office for the Internal Market’ which will protect the UK Government’s deregulated approach to business across the four nations of the UK.

Internal market leak shows Tories taking contempt to new levels

Thu 3 Sep, 2020

A leaked photograph showing the UK Government preparing to introduce its "power grab" internal market bill reveals that the Tories are taking their contempt for Scotland to new levels, says Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

Greens comment on new restrictions in Glasgow and the West

Tue 1 Sep, 2020

Commenting on the imposition of new coronavirus guidance in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire, Scottish Greens Co-Leader and Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie said: 

“Most people in Scotland have shown great commitment to achieving control of the virus, and understand that we must do everything possible to eliminate community transmission. But there is no reason for complacency. 

Programme for Government: Five-point housing plan will kickstart green recovery

Mon 31 Aug, 2020

Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP has called on the First Minister to adopt his party’s five-point housing plan to kickstart a green recovery when she outlines her programme for government on Tuesday.

Mr Harvie has called on the Scottish Government to grasp the nettle and deliver action that would support private tenants, free up housing currently used for short term lets, and create thousands of jobs.