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.

Scottish Greens: Kids should start school at seven

Sun 21 Feb, 2021

Scotland should introduce a kindergarten stage, with children starting formal primary schooling at seven, the Scottish Greens have said.

Research shows a Nordic-style kindergarten system between the ages of three and six, with learning undertaken through ‘creative play’ rather than a ‘formal learning’ approach, would improve children’s wellbeing and educational outcomes later in their school career.

Scottish Greens: sack the SQA board

Fri 12 Feb, 2021

Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer MSP has branded the Scottish Qualifications Authority “not fit for purpose” and called on the Scottish Government to sack the board of the bungling exams body.

Greens call on Scottish Government to stop support for companies profiting from war in Yemen

Thu 11 Feb, 2021

The Scottish Greens have called on the Scottish Government to end all cash grants and support for companies profiting from the Saudi-led bombing of Yemen. This follows the decision of the US Government to halt arms sales and support for the Saudi Arabian military in Yemen.

The bombing campaign has created the world's worst humanitarian crisis, including widespread famine and cholera outbreaks. This crisis is only possible because of the complicity and support of arms companies and arms-dealing governments like the UK.

Greens: Vaccinate special school staff

Wed 3 Feb, 2021

Staff working at special schools in Scotland should be prioritised for COVID vaccination alongside health and care staff, the Scottish Greens have said. This comes after the announcement that some special school staff in Northern Ireland will be prioritised.

Education secretary John Swinney last week indicated that consideration was being given to the prioritisation of special school staff but that no decision had yet been made.

Schools testing delivers on Scottish Greens call

Tue 2 Feb, 2021

The return of pupils to school from this month will be underpinned by regular testing of staff and senior pupils, it has been announced, which was part of a package of measures proposed by the Scottish Greens.

Announcing a return of nursery and junior pupils from the 22 February, followed by senior phase pupils who need to attend for practical courses, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said staff and senior pupils would be offered twice weekly at-home testing.

She also announced payments to people self-isolating would be widened, another call from the Scottish Greens.

Scotland should sign anti nuke treaty

Fri 22 Jan, 2021

Scotland should accede to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons the moment it becomes independent, the Scottish Greens have said.

On the day the treaty, which makes the ownership, proliferation or testing of nuclear weapons illegal, comes into force, Scottish Greens external affairs spokesperson Ross Greer said: “This is a momentous day in the campaign to rid the world of these brutal and indiscriminate weapons of mass slaughter.

Scottish Greens win funding for teacher recruitment

Wed 13 Jan, 2021

The Scottish Greens have welcomed new funding of £45 million announced for schools today. Introducing this fund, the Education Secretary confirmed that it would cover the cost of recruiting 2,000 additional teachers, a Green proposal agreed to by the Scottish Parliament in November.

The party’s education spokesperson Ross Greer has also emphasised that any reopening of schools to all pupils must be matched by the introduction of regular, voluntary testing for school staff and senior pupils.

Scottish Greens call for student rent waiver

Fri 8 Jan, 2021

The Scottish Government must compel universities and private student accommodation providers to cancel rent for as long as students are being told not to return to campus, the Scottish Greens have said.

The party’s education spokesperson Ross Greer MSP says making students pay for accommodation they cannot use would be unfair, after it was announced that the return to campus for most students will be delayed until March.

Ross Greer MSP said:

Scottish Greens welcome eviction ban extension

Thu 7 Jan, 2021

The Scottish Greens have welcomed confirmation that the ban on evictions will be extended following pressure from Ross Greer MSP.

The West Scotland MSP had challenged the First Minister to extend the ban after Monday's lockdown announcement, saying that evicting people during this fresh outbreak would be “downright dangerous”.

Following today's announcement, the Greens have now called on the Scottish Government to introduce a permanent ban on evictions every winter, a measure which is commonplace across Europe.

Ross Greer MSP said:

Greens demand extension of eviction ban

Mon 4 Jan, 2021

Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer has called on the Scottish Government to extend the winter eviction ban, which is currently set to end on 22nd January.

Speaking in Parliament this afternoon the West of Scotland MSP said that evicting people during a lockdown would be “downright dangerous” and called for the First Minister to extend the ban until April. This would bring it in line with the end of the furlough scheme.

Ross Greer MSP said: