Scottish Greens: Access to tests vital for students

Fri 11 Sep, 2020

Scotland’s COVID-19 testing capacity must be ready for the start of the university term, the Scottish Greens have said.

At First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie raised the fact that the system had been overloaded when schools returned, with many parents having to travel hundreds of miles to access a test.

Patrick Harvie said: “We saw that the testing system broke down when children returned to school last month. With university terms commencing next week, we need to make sure the same doesn’t happen again, and that students are kept safe.

Scottish Greens: Illegal bill is assault on devolution

Wed 9 Sep, 2020

The UK Government’s Internal Market Bill is a direct assault on the principles of devolution and must be scrapped, the Scottish Greens have said.

In a bill the UK Government has admitted breaks international law, a veto over any devolved decision is placed in the hands of a new ‘Office for the Internal Market’ which will protect the UK Government’s deregulated approach to business across the four nations of the UK.

Internal market leak shows Tories taking contempt to new levels

Thu 3 Sep, 2020

A leaked photograph showing the UK Government preparing to introduce its "power grab" internal market bill reveals that the Tories are taking their contempt for Scotland to new levels, says Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

Greens comment on new restrictions in Glasgow and the West

Tue 1 Sep, 2020

Commenting on the imposition of new coronavirus guidance in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire, Scottish Greens Co-Leader and Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie said: 

“Most people in Scotland have shown great commitment to achieving control of the virus, and understand that we must do everything possible to eliminate community transmission. But there is no reason for complacency. 

Programme for Government: Five-point housing plan will kickstart green recovery

Mon 31 Aug, 2020

Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP has called on the First Minister to adopt his party’s five-point housing plan to kickstart a green recovery when she outlines her programme for government on Tuesday.

Mr Harvie has called on the Scottish Government to grasp the nettle and deliver action that would support private tenants, free up housing currently used for short term lets, and create thousands of jobs.

SEC jobs losses “devastating” says Harvie 

Fri 21 Aug, 2020

Commenting on reports that 500 jobs are to be axed at the SEC, Scottish Greens Co-Leader and Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie said: 

FMQs: Extra teachers required to keep schools safe 

Thu 20 Aug, 2020

Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP has called on the First Minister to make funding available to councils for the employment of 3,500 teachers to help support social distancing in schools. 

Earlier this week EIS, the teachers’ union, wrote to the First Minister calling for the extra teachers to, ‘reduce class sizes and make possible physical distancing.’ The funding promised by the Scottish Government would only allow 1,400 teachers to be employed, less than half of what is needed. 

Patrick Harvie MSP said: 

Patrick Harvie comments on poll showing increased yes majority 

Wed 19 Aug, 2020

Commenting on the publication of a Panelbase poll for Business for Scotland which shows support for independence rising to 55%, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said: 

Voices grow calling for UK Govt to drop devolution veto plans

Tue 18 Aug, 2020

The UK Government must drop its plans to hold a veto over devolved powers after the number of critics have grown, the Scottish Greens have said.

Since the Greens raised alarms about the potential impact of ‘Internal market’ white paper on the democratic decisions of the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh and Scottish governments have rejected the proposals.

Stronger protections for tenants needed

Wed 12 Aug, 2020

The Scottish Greens have called for stronger protections for tenants after the First Minister confirmed the Scottish Government is looking at extending emergency restrictions on evictions until March.

Under pressure from Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie at FMQs, the First Minister announced protections would be extended, a commitment which the Government wasn’t willing to give only yesterday.