One year to COP26: Harvie calls for emergency climate response

Sun 1 Nov, 2020

The Scottish Greens have challenged the Scottish Government to use the year leading up to COP26, the major Glasgow climate summit due to begin on 1 November 2021, to set out an “emergency response” to the climate emergency.

The party’s co-leader, Patrick Harvie MSP, has called on the First Minister to use every tool at the Scottish Government’s disposal, and go beyond simply setting targets by delivering an emergency response which helps Scotland rebuild from the coronavirus crisis, creates quality green jobs and tackles the climate crisis.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

Patrick Harvie comments on coronavirus latest

Sat 31 Oct, 2020

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“Boris Johnson’s handling of the coronavirus crisis has been chaotic. It’s clear that his failure to follow scientific advice earlier now means that the people of England will have to endure stricter restrictions for longer. What’s not clear at all yet is what knock on effects this will have for Scotland.

Local COVID tiers require support for councils and workers

Thu 29 Oct, 2020

The new local tiers of COVID restrictions must be backed up with support for councils and workers, the Scottish Greens have said.

At First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie raised the fact local authorities moving to Level 3 - or Level 4 in the future - appear to be offered no additional funding.

He also raised the case of workers in hospitality and retail who have been put at risk by employers.

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.