Ross Greer MSP

West of Scotland

External Affairs, Education & Skills, Culture & Media

Ross was Communities Co-ordinator at Yes Scotland, helping to develop the movement for independence. He is a member of Holyrood's European and Education committees. Ross is an active community campaigner on issues ranging from school closures to supermarket expansion and opportunities for young people. Upon election in May 2016 at the age of 21, Ross became the youngest MSP in the history of the Scottish Parliament. He was formerly a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Clydebank & MIilngavie constituency and led on the successful campaign to give 16 & 17 year olds the vote in the independence referendum.

Bombs factory funded by Scottish Government

Fri 6 Dec, 2019

A factory to make munitions has been partly funded by the Scottish Government through its agency Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Greens have revealed. This is despite the First Minister’s repeated insistence that the Scottish Government ‘does not fund the manufacture of munitions’.

FOIs by the Scottish Greens revealed that in 2009, Chemring Energetics successfully applied for Scottish Enterprise funding to invest in site expansion to, in their own words, “take advantage of market moves that have resulted in gaps in the manufacture of explosives".

UCU strike reveals SNP poor record on industrial relations

Wed 27 Nov, 2019

The Scottish Government’s response to the UCU strike has revealed its poor record at industrial relations, the Scottish Greens have said.

Scottish Green education spokesperson Ross Greer today called on universities minister Richard Lochhead to respond to the strikes, who described them as “unwelcome”.

Scottish Greens welcome NUS Scotland manifesto

Thu 7 Nov, 2019

The Scottish Greens have welcomed the NUS Scotland ‘When Students Lead’ manifesto for the general election.

Commenting on its publication, Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer said: Whether through their climate activism or opposition to Brexit young people are leading the debate in Scotland, and the NUS manifesto is a clear example of that.

“Cut your losses and jog on”: Greer tells Flamingo Land

Thu 7 Nov, 2019

Green MSP Ross Greer led a debate in Parliament this Tuesday in which he called for Flamingo Land to give way to a community buyout. The motion he proposed celebrated the success of Save Loch Lomond. The community campaign, working with the Green MSP, forced a series of setbacks for Flamingo Land, resulting in their application, lodged jointly with Scottish Enterprise, being withdrawn just a week before it was widely expected to be rejected.

Government haven’t brought an education debate in two years

Thu 7 Nov, 2019

The Scottish Government haven’t brought forward an education debate in over two years, despite claims that it is the First Minister’s ‘defining mission’, according to the Scottish Greens Education Spokesperson Ross Greer MSP.

Mr Greer raised the matter at First Minister’s Questions today, asking whether there would be a debate before the end of the year, a question the First Minister failed to directly answer. This follows a similar refusal to answer from the Education Secretary during an opposition-led debate yesterday.

Ross Greer MSP said:

Greer to bring Loch Lomond debate to Holyrood

Tue 29 Oct, 2019

Green MSP Ross Greer is to lead a debate in the Scottish Parliament next week on the future of Balloch & Loch Lomond following the withdrawal of Flamingo Land’s controversial resort plans.

The members debate is scheduled for Tuesday 5^th November at 5pm and will allow MSPs to discuss a range of issues related to the Flamingo Land plans, the Save Loch Lomond campaign, the expressions of interest in a community buyouts and alternative ideas for the land in question. The debate will end with a response from a Scottish Government minister.

The BBC & Dark Money ‘Think Tanks’ – Green Pressure Pays Off

Ross Greer MSP Tue 29 Oct, 2019

For some time now I have been campaigning on the issue of so-called 'think tanks’ whose spokespeople regularly appear on the BBC to promote hard-right & libertarian policies including NHS privatisation and the repeal of workers’ rights, environmental & consumer protections.

Betrayal of Kurds involves UK arms

Ross Greer MSP Mon 28 Oct, 2019

The only beacon of hope in Syria is on the brink of destruction.

While civil war raged across the rest of the country between the Assad regime and largely Arab rebel groups, the Kurdish population in North Eastern Syria were abandoned, left to face the brunt of ISIS alone. Not only did they repel that vicious death cult, at the urging of the US, UK and others they led the counter-offensive, eventually destroying the so-called ‘Caliphate’.

Greer calls for humanitarian funds for North East Syria

Fri 18 Oct, 2019

The Scottish Government should urgently provide support from its Humanitarian Emergency Fund for the Kurdish Red Crescent, according to Scottish Greens External Affairs Spokesperson Ross Greer MSP.

Mr Greer made the call in a letter to Ben MacPherson, Minister for International Development, today (18 Oct).

Reforesting Scotland can provide rural jobs

Sat 12 Oct, 2019

Reforesting Scotland to at least the EU average would provide thousands of rural jobs as part of a Scottish Green New Deal, according to the co-leader of the Scottish Greens

Latest forestry stats show that only 18.7% of Scotland is forested, while the European average of tree cover is 40%. In contrast, grouse shooting estates alone make up 20% of all land in Scotland.

There are a number of skills gaps in the current workforce, which has long been undervalued.