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.

Greens highlight unicef call for greater global vaccine support

Tue 8 Jun, 2021

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie has said Scotland’s voice should be added to calls for greater donations of vaccines from rich countries to the developing world.

Responding to the First Minister’s statement in parliament this afternoon, Mr Harvie highlighted a letter to G7 leaders noting that the international COVAX programme was 190 million doses short of where it needed to be.

Patrick Harvie said:

Greens welcome ambition of Glasgow climate forest plans

Tue 1 Jun, 2021

Plans to increase Glasgow and Clyde’s woodland by a fifth have been welcomed by the Scottish Greens.

The Clyde Climate Forest, launching today, will see planting schemes across the region with the aim of creating a large interlocking green network, including a biodiversity corridor.

The project is a partnership between the local authorities, Scottish Forestry, NatureScot, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Public Health Scotland and the Glasgow Centre for Population Health, with the Woodland Trust providing £400,000 in funding.

Greens call for more support for asylum seekers

Thu 27 May, 2021

Scottish Greens co-leader and Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie has called for more support for asylum seekers in the face of poor treatment by the Home Office and outsourced accommodation provider Mears in Glasgow.

Mr Harvie used FMQs to highlight a new campaign by the ‘Roof Coalition’ of charities including Shelter, which highlights the fact pregnant women and mothers of children younger than two being housed in completely unsuitable accommodation in the city since January.

Scottish Greens enter talks on formal cooperation agreement

Wed 26 May, 2021

The Co-Leaders of the Scottish Greens and the First Minister have announced their parties will enter into ‘structured talks’ around the possibility of a formal co-operation agreement.

In her speech on the Scottish Government’s priorities, Nicola Sturgeon said the parties shared commitments to tackle the climate emergency and give Scotland a say over our future.

Harvie: Glasgow will continue to oppose home office brutality

Mon 24 May, 2021

The people of Glasgow will continue to oppose the brutal and inhumane UK Home Office immigration regime, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie has said.

Mr Harvie’s remarks came after the Home Secretary delivered a speech in which she said practices such as dawn raids would continue in the city.

Patrick Harvie said:

Greens call for greater support for Glasgow

Fri 21 May, 2021

Following the First Minister’s announcement that Glasgow is to remain in level three for a further week, Scottish Greens co-leader and Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie has called on the Scottish Government to provide more support to the city.

Mr Harvie also welcomed the news that Moray is to move down the scale to level two but warned that the delicate situation in East Renfrewshire shows why continued vigilance is required.

Patrick Harvie said:

Scottish Greens unveil spokespeople

Fri 21 May, 2021

The Scottish Greens have revealed their spokespeople that will cover the various government portfolios.

Co-leader Patrick Harvie will continue to speak on finance and constitutional issues, while fellow co-leader Lorna Slater will lead on the two issues central the Scottish Greens election campaign, economic recovery from the pandemic and a green industrial strategy to lower Scotland’s carbon emissions.

The full spokespeople list is as follows:

Patrick Harvie: Scottish Greens spokesperson for Finance and Constitution