Scottish Government fails to support hospitality rescue plan

Tue 27 Oct, 2020

The Scottish Government has failed to offer its support for Unite the Union’s hospitality and tourism rescue plan.

When asked by Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP, “does the Scottish Government support the unite hospitality rescue plan,” in parliament this afternoon, the Tourism Secretary replied that, “the overwhelming majority of business leaders take their responsibilities extremely seriously.”

Speaking afterward Mr Harvie said:

Greens: Scottish Government should extend free bus travel

Mon 26 Oct, 2020

The Scottish Government has been urged to extend free bus travel for under 19s to include all young people up to 25.

The Scottish Government today launched a consultation on the policy, which was hard won by the Scottish Greens in budget negotiations.

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie has challenged the Scottish Government to extend the scheme when it comes into force next year so it can play a vital role in repairing public transport from the COVID-19 crisis.

Scottish Greens unveil plans to empower workers

Fri 23 Oct, 2020

The Scottish Greens have launched an ambitious New Deal for workers which calls for more powers for trade unions to tackle low pay, precarious contracts and poor working conditions.

The Scottish Green New Deal for Workers includes proposals to establish national collective bargaining to drive up pay and conditions in low-wage sectors, for example in social care and early years education.

Greens: Conservatives 'in panic' over indyref

Tue 20 Oct, 2020

Responding to reports the Tories are drawing up plans to prevent Scottish independence by ‘co-opting’ the EU into opposing it and by offering a referendum on more powers, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said:

Greens respond to no deal brexit comments

Fri 16 Oct, 2020

Responding to the Prime Minister’s statement this afternoon that we should prepare for the Brexit transition period to end without agreement, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:

Weekly asymptomatic testing must play role in tackling virus

Thu 15 Oct, 2020

Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP this afternoon called on the Scottish Government to ensure that routine weekly testing of frontline workers plays a greater role in tackling the virus.

In response to the First Minister’s virtual statement to parliament this afternoon Mr Harvie noted that the Scottish Government’s Nosocomial Review Group approved a new hospital testing strategy in September and asked how this related to the Scottish Government’s wider review of testing.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

Scottish Greens welcome latest poll

Wed 14 Oct, 2020

Welcoming the publication of today’s Ipsos mori which shows the Scottish Greens on course to increase its number of MSPs in May, and a massive 58% support for independence, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“It’s clear that the Scottish Greens constructive approach to opposition is appreciated by the public. From Scotland’s fairer tax system, to the reversal of unfair exam grades, and free bus travel for young people from next year, we’ve worked constructively to make Scotland a fairer country.

Patrick Harvie: Glasgow willing to fight for subway

Tue 13 Oct, 2020

Commenting on new funding that has been made available for the Glasgow Subway, Scottish Greens Co-Leader and Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie said:

“The Glasgow Subway is such an important part of life in the city, where over half of residents don’t own a car. Public transport needs to be a priority, not an afterthought.

“I am grateful that the Transport Secretary has finally listened to the more than 1500 people who have backed my campaign to save the subway and made this important funding available.

Scottish Greens unveil first ever poetic PPB

Fri 9 Oct, 2020

The new Scottish Greens party political broadcast is the UK’s first to feature slam poetry.

‘Gray Votes Green’, which airs on STV and BBC Scotland tonight, features Glaswegian spoken word poet Gray Crosbie, who has been published throughout the UK and has been featured several times by BBC social.

Their poetry also once triggered Piers Morgan on twitter.

More needed to ensure faith in new restrictions maintained

Wed 7 Oct, 2020

New restrictions announced by the First Minister for the next two weeks must be backed up with an increase in COVID testing and urgent support for people working in affected businesses, the Scottish Green have warned.

The First Minister announced restricted opening hours for hospitality businesses and tougher restrictions in the central belt, promising £40m in emergency funding for businesses to supplement the UK Government’s job retention funds.