Green agenda in historic programme for government

Tue 7 Sep, 2021

The First Minister has laid out an agenda heavily influenced by the Scottish Greens, in her first programme for government following the cooperation deal between the two parties.

Working in government, the Scottish Greens will lay the foundations for a Just Transition to a low-carbon economy and a new deal for tenants over the next year.

The strategy for the private rented sector will be published by the end of the year and will include proposals for a system of rent controls.

Scottish Green Party members approve “historic” co-op deal

Sat 28 Aug, 2021

Scottish Green Party members have approved the party’s cooperation agreement, clearing the way for co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater to become Scotland's (and the UK’s) first Green ministers.

The agreement was approved overwhelmingly by members at a meeting this morning and ratified by the party’s national council afterward.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

Co-operation agreement will see transport transformation

Mon 23 Aug, 2021

A draft co-operation agreement between the Scottish Greens and the Scottish Government will transform Scotland’s transport network if approved by party members this weekend, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie has said.

Climate action central to Greens and government deal

Fri 20 Aug, 2021

Action on tackling the climate emergency is central to the draft cooperation deal agreed between the Scottish Greens and Scottish Government.

The draft policy programme, published today, would see two Scottish Green MSPs take ministerial posts, marking the first time Green politicians have taken a role in government anywhere in any of the UK nations. They would work to deliver a shared broad policy agenda that will tackle the climate crisis, create thousands of quality jobs  and make Scotland fairer.

Greens: GERS figures not full economic story of pandemic

Wed 18 Aug, 2021

New deficit figures reflect the response to the pandemic in terms of government spending but do not cover the real economic challenges facing Scotland, the Scottish Greens have said.

The annual Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) report shows public sector spending rising in the 2020-21 tax year as emergency measures were put in place to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scottish Greens co-leader and finance spokesperson Patrick Harvie said:

Judicial review of Trump McMafia order decision granted

Wed 11 Aug, 2021

Scottish Greens have welcomed the news that the courts will review Scottish Government ministers ability to grant an Unexplained Wealth Order on Donald Trump’s acquisition of Scottish golf courses.

Campaign group Avaaz have today been given permission to seek a judicial review of the decision by the Scottish Government not to back a Scottish Green motion in February to pursue an Unexplained Wealth Order, also known as a McMafia order.

Greens: IPCC report is stark warning to governments

Mon 9 Aug, 2021

The stark and urgent warning in a new report by UN climate scientists makes the UK and Scottish governments’ support for the expansion of oil and gas ‘obscene’ as they prepare to host the COP26 climate summit, the Scottish Greens have said.

A new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows accelerating heatwaves and extreme weather events are unequivocally the result of human behaviour like burning fossil fuels, and that the consequences will continue to get worse.

Scottish Greens free bus travel to commence in new year

Wed 28 Jul, 2021

Scotland’s young people will be able to travel for free on the bus from January, thanks to the Scottish Greens.

In a deal secured by the Scottish Greens in this year’s budget, anyone aged 21 or younger will be able to travel for free on the bus with a concessionary travel card from 31 January 2022.

The scheme had been delayed by COVID-19 and a shortage of silicone, vital in the manufacture of the concessionary cards.

Douglas Ross branded “morally indefensible” over aid cuts

Wed 14 Jul, 2021

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP has branded Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross morally indefensible after the Moray MP and his entire group fell in line with Boris Johnson and voted to scrap billions from the international aid budget.

All Scottish Tory MPs, including Mr Ross, voted to slash aid expenditure to the world’s poorest, despite standing on a manifesto to protect the spending less than two years ago.

Scottish Greens call for greater role for tenants unions

Wed 16 Jun, 2021

The future of private renting in Scotland must include a stronger voice for tenant’s unions, the Scottish Greens have said.

The party’s co-leader Patrick Harvie raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament after the gradual lifting of restrictions has started evictions again and exposed in the insecurity of the private rented sector.

Despite this, there is no representation of tenants on the Scottish Government’s Private Rented Sector Resilience Group.