Tax on polluting SUVs would protect public health and planet

Thu 21 Nov, 2019

Heavily polluting cars such as ‘sport utility vehicles’(SUVs) should be taxed more to stem the growth in air pollution, according to the Scottish Greens.

The party proposes to double the first-year vehicle excise duty (VED) on all vehicles producing over 111g of CO2 per kilometre.

This would mean a new Land Rover Range Rover Evoque would be taxed £1,060 in the first year instead of £530.

Young people are being ignored in this election

Mon 18 Nov, 2019

The Scottish Greens will today call for the priorities of students and young people must be heard in this general election.

The NUS Scotland manifesto calls for action on many Scottish Green priorities.

Ahead of meeting students at Strathclyde University, Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “Young people’s voices are being ignored in this election, which is unforgivable.

This must be the climate election

Mon 11 Nov, 2019

The climate emergency is the most pressing issue in this general election, the Scottish Greens will say.

At the Scottish Greens general election campaign launch, the party will underline that the next UK Government will preside over half the time we have left to meet the UN’s decade-long deadline to take action to prevent catastrophic climate change.

Co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie will highlight reserved issues which could be vital in securing a Scottish Green New Deal to transform Scotland’s economy and address the urgency of the climate emergency.

RBS must commit to fossil-free future

Fri 1 Nov, 2019

New RBS CEO Alison Rose has said “the threat of climate change” will be a “pillar” of the bank’s strategy under her leadership.

Responding, Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “This is welcome language from the RBS chief. But if Alison Rose is serious about making the climate emergency one of the pillars of the RBS strategy, she should follow up on this welcome change with a clear commitment to ending investment in the fossil fuel industries and giving priority to a just transition to a truly sustainable economy.

UK budget delay leaves Scotland in limbo

Fri 25 Oct, 2019

Postponement of the UK budget leaves the Scottish Parliament no time to scrutinise it, and raises serious concerns over the ability of the Scottish Government to come up with its own, the Scottish Greens have warned.

UK Chancellor Sajid Javid told BBC today that his budget would not be going ahead as planned on 6 November, leaving no time for the devolved budget scrutiny procedures agreed by MSPs in the Budget Process Review Group.

Commenting, Scottish Green finance spokesperson Patrick Harvie said:

Harvie responds to commons vote

Tue 22 Oct, 2019

Responding to the news that the UK Government has failed to win support for its programme motion on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:

Gove demonstrates breathtaking contempt for Scotland

Mon 21 Oct, 2019

Speaking after the meeting of the Finance and Constitution Committee, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“Michael Gove has talked about the importance of a consent mechanism for Northern Ireland, but he has confirmed that the UK is utterly unwilling to accept any similar principle for Scotland. The UK Government has already shown itself willing to legislate in defiance of Scotland’s devolution arrangements, and is clearly willing to do so again. The level of contempt for Scotland’s interests, and for our constitutional status, is breathtaking.

Scottish Greens respond to Letwin amendment vote

Sat 19 Oct, 2019

Responding to the news that the Prime Minister has once again failed to command a majority in the House of Commons, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said: 

Scottish Greens respond to Brexit deal

Thu 17 Oct, 2019

Responding to reports that a deal has been agreed between the EU and UK to facilitate the UK’s exit from the EU, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:

EU citizens in Scotland need more certainty

Tue 8 Oct, 2019

EU citizens in Scotland need more certainty, even if Brexit doesn’t happen on October 31st, Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie has said.

Responding to the statement on no-deal preparation by Deputy First Minister John Swinney, Patrick Harvie called for the Scottish Government to identify what support EU Citizens will need in the wake of the hardening stance by the UK Government on the issue.

Patrick Harvie said: