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 Ministers agree with our call to extend voting franchise to refugees

Wed 23 May, 2018

Scottish Greens external affairs spokesperson Ross Greer MSP today (23 May) welcomed confirmation from Scottish Ministers that they agree with the Greens' call for new powers over who can vote in elections to be used to extend the franchise to refugees and asylum seekers living in Scotland.

Greer takes Deputy FM to task over crisis in Additional Support Needs in schools

Wed 23 May, 2018

Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer MSP today (23 May) took the Deputy First Minister to task over the crisis in Additional Support Needs in schools and the Scottish Government’s evasive response.

Data recently published by Mr Greer shows that since 2010 the number of specialist ASN teachers has fallen from one for every eighteen pupils to one for every fifty-five.

Greer brands Scot Gov fair work scheme a joke in light of jobs cuts at STV

Thu 17 May, 2018

Ross Greer MSP, Culture & Media spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (17 May) branded a Scottish Government scheme aimed at promoting fair work practices a joke in light of the jobs cuts at STV.

The broadcaster is one of 450 signatories to the Scottish Government's Business Pledge scheme, which encourages the living wage, an end to zero hour contracts and creating opportunities for young people.

Scotland can be a thriving, welcoming and internationalist country

Ross Greer MSP Fri 11 May, 2018

If it wasn’t obvious before, these last few weeks have shown just how rotten the UK government and its immigration systems in particular are for those unfortunate enough to experience them.

They have themselves made a far stronger case for devolving immigration & asylum powers to Scotland than we could ourselves, causing untold damage to families, communities and our national economy in the name of Theresa May’s ‘hostile environment’ policies and obsession with slashing the number of people coming to this country.

Brexit: Lack of customs union clarity embarrassing say Greens

Thu 10 May, 2018

The appearance of two senior UK government ministers at a Holyrood committee today has been called embarrassing by the Scottish Greens.

Ross Greer MSP, the party’s Europe spokesperson, says the evidence provided by David Mundell and Robin Walker shows they still don’t know what the UK’s post-Brexit custom union arrangements will look like and that the government’s indecision risks damaging the peace process in Ireland. Alarmingly, after repeated questioning, they could not confirm when a decision on customs options would be made.

Hunterston reactor cracks: Green MSP wants public to have a say

Thu 3 May, 2018

A Green MSP is challenging the Scottish Government to give the community living near the Hunterston B nuclear power station a say in any decision to extend the plant’s lifetime after reports emerged today that cracks have been discovered in a reactor.

West of Scotland MSP Ross Greer says the lack of public consultation has been unacceptable while highlighting that European law says all ageing nuclear power stations should have an environmental impact assessment comparing their continued operation against alternative sources of energy such as renewables.

Greens Point To Fresh Blow For SNP Education Bill

Mon 30 Apr, 2018

Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer MSP today (30 Apr) called on Education Secretary John Swinney to stop "blindly storming ahead" with unwanted changes to how schools are run, after yet another consultation showed widespread opposition and scepticism towards the proposals.

Scottish Ministers under pressure after FM's non-answer to Ross Greer over Prestwick role in Syrian airstrikes

Thu 19 Apr, 2018

Scottish Ministers are under pressure to explain whether Scottish Government-owned Prestwick airport was used for the recent Syrian airstrikes, following Nicola Sturgeon's evasive non-answer to Green MSP Ross Greer at today's First Minister's Questions.

Scottish Greens previously raised concerns about US military use of the site, with party co-convener Patrick Harvie MSP challenging the First Minister in February following revelations in the Guardian newspaper.

Further fall in ASN teachers amid increase in pupils - situation "completely unacceptable", says Greer

Wed 18 Apr, 2018

Analysis by the Scottish Greens has revealed that the number of specialist Additional Support Needs (ASN) teachers has fallen for the fifth year in a row, while the number of children with identified additional needs has increased by over 65,000 in the same period.

This has resulted in the ratio of young people with additional support needs to specialist ASN teachers trebling in just seven years, reaching the highest level since new laws came in to ensure support in 2010, a situation the Greens say is “completely unacceptable”.

Greer raises community and expansion concerns in response to Glasgow Airport flightpaths consultation

Fri 13 Apr, 2018

Green MSP for the West of Scotland, Ross Greer, has raised concerns about disruption to communities and the prospect of climate-damaging expansion in his response to Glasgow Airport’s flightpaths consultation.