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 renew call for Swinney to cancel all exams

Sun 20 Sep, 2020

Scottish Greens Education Spokesperson Ross Greer MSP has called on John Swinney to cancel the entire 2021 exam diet, following media reports that the Education Sectary is planning to drop National 5 exams but go-ahead with Highers.

The Scottish Greens, alongside teaching unions the EIS and SSTA, have made the case for months that proceeding on the basis that exams will definitely go-ahead next May presents an unacceptable risk, either due to disruption and school closures throughout the year or last minute cancellations, as happened earlier this year.

Scottish Greens call for 2021 exams to be cancelled

Fri 11 Sep, 2020

The Scottish Greens have called for the 2021 exam diet to be cancelled, stating that it is too great a risk to assume that exams will be able to take place nine months from now without disruption.

The BBC and other outlets have reported comments made by the Education Secretary John Swinney confirming that the Government's current objective is to run a 'full 2021 exam diet'.

Ross Greer comments on new West Scotland restrictions

Mon 7 Sep, 2020

Commenting on the announcement that new coronavirus restrictions will be applied to East Dunbartonshire and Renfrewshire, Scottish Greens West Scotland MSP Ross Greer said:

“These measures are deeply unfortunate but absolutely necessary. We’re facing a really alarming situation here in the West of Scotland and unless these new guidelines are followed, a much stricter lockdown could become necessary. We all have to do what it takes to save lives and protect the health of those around us.

Flu vaccine must be available to school staff say Greens

Fri 4 Sep, 2020

Scottish Greens Education Spokesperson Ross Greer MSP has called on the Scottish Government to extend flu vaccine eligibility to teachers and other school staff.

Earlier this week the Scottish Government announced in its Programme for Government that it would extend the eligibility for the flu vaccine to everyone over the age of 55, social care workers and those who live with ‘shielding’ people. Now, Mr Greer is calling on ministers to go further and extend the programme to school staff too.

Ross Greer MSP said:

Scots Tories and Labour must lean on UK and Welsh govts on exams fiasco

Thu 13 Aug, 2020

Scottish Conservatives and Labour should concentrate on averting an exams catastrophe in Westminster and Wales rather than playing petty politics in Holyrood, the Scottish Greens have said.

The call comes on results day for school pupils in the rest of the UK, with a picture emerging of similarly outrageous lowering of working class young people’s grades.

Speaking ahead of the No Confidence vote at Holyrood, Scottish Green education spokesperson Ross Greer said:

Scottish Greens fix SQA grades fiasco

Tue 11 Aug, 2020

Scottish Greens Education Spokesperson Ross Greer MSP has welcomed confirmation from Education Secretary John Swinney that, “all downgraded awards will be scrapped,” and instead will be, “based solely on teacher or lecturer judgement,” as the Scottish Greens had demanded.

In a statement to parliament this afternoon Mr Swinney confirmed that schools will be able to confirm grades to those pupils still in school when they return this week, and the SQA will issue fresh certificates to affected candidates.

Scottish Greens respond to FM statement on SQA grades

Mon 10 Aug, 2020

Responding to the First Minister’s apology to young people and admission that the Scottish Government “got it wrong” on this year’s grading system, Scottish Greens Education Spokesperson Ross Greer MSP said:

SQA Appeals: Greens Demand ‘No Detriment’ Policy

Thu 6 Aug, 2020

Scottish Greens Education Spokesperson Ross Greer MSP has called for the SQA to adopt a ‘no detriment’ policy for its appeals process, to ensure a fairer outcome for the thousands of young people who saw their grades lowered by SQA moderators.

Safe distancing in high schools will be 'limited', councils admit

Mon 27 Jul, 2020

There will be “limited opportunities” for high school pupils and staff to maintain safe distancing when schools reopen, the Children and Young People Spokesperson at council umbrella body COSLA has admitted.

Last week the Scottish Government advised that older pupils should maintain 2m social distancing when they return to school “whenever practicable”.

Ross Greer: School return needs more reassurances

Thu 23 Jul, 2020

Teachers and parents need more reassurances that the return to school next month will be safe, Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer has said, with further clarity on testing of school staff, social distancing measures and risk assessments for vulnerable young people urgently required.

Responding to the update from Education Secretary John Swinney, Ross Greer said:

“The Scottish Government has promised a final decision next week on whether schools will return full time, but if that is to happen parents and teachers will need more reassurances that it is safe.