Latest news with #ScottishGreens
The National
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Hunger doesn't clock off for the summer holidays
It's what drove me and all Scottish Green MSPs to make expanding free school meals a priority in recent Budget negotiations. Last week, the Education Secretary and I announced the result of those negotiations. From August, thousands more young people will benefit from a free school meal thanks to our new pilot programme. Eligibility for free school meals will be expanded to S1-S3 pupils who receive the Scottish Child Payment (SCP) in eight council areas across Scotland. READ MORE: Scotland can lead the world with 'ecocide' bill currently in Holyrood This builds on what Scottish Green MSPs achieved in previous years, namely the expansion of universal free school meals to P4 and P5 pupils, as well as the ongoing expansion to all P6 and P7 pupils who receive the SCP. These policies are the direct result of Green influence in government and Parliament. They show the transformational power voters will hold next May when deciding who they send to Holyrood for the next five years. It has a huge impact when you elect MSPs committed to changing Scotland for the better. In this case, free school meals do more than fill stomachs. They fuel learning, reduce stigma, and ease pressure on hard-pressed families during a brutal cost of living crisis. They're an investment not just in individual pupils but in a fairer and healthier society. But we can and must go further. Scotland should be leading the way in delivering universal free school meals across the whole of our education system. That's what the Scottish Greens are working towards. Another major Green achievement for Scotland's children was our cancellation of school meal debts. Almost £3 million has now been wiped off the books after years of campaigning on the issue. For thousands of families, it has brought urgent relief at a time of growing hardship. As the Scottish Greens' education spokesperson, I first published research back in 2021 which showed that more than £1 million of school meal debt was being carried by families. As the cost of living crisis deepened, that figure soared. But the emotional toll was even greater. I've heard directly from teachers who dreaded chasing children for money that their families simply didn't have. READ MORE: Westminster is set to decriminalise abortion – what about Scotland? I've talked to parents who went without so that their children didn't have to face shame in the lunch hall. No child should be forced to learn under the weight of that stress and embarrassment. No teacher should be put in that impossible situation. That's why I worked so hard to ensure that this debt was wiped out. Cancelling it was clearly the right thing to do. It's something the Greens are incredibly proud to have delivered. But again we believe in doing more than just wiping the slate clean only to see those debts build back up. We believe in changing the system which created the problem in the first place. That's why we will continue to push for universal free school meals for every child from nursery to the end of high school. Contrast this with the attitude of successive UK governments, both Conservative and Labour. Westminster politicians continue to dig their heels in on the indefensible two-child benefit cap and associated 'rape clause', a policy that has directly plunged hundreds of thousands of children into poverty. Research from the Child Poverty Action Group has shown that lifting this cap would lift 250,000 children out of poverty across the UK. Yet they refuse to act, instead prioritising their race to the bottom style of politics, demonising the poor and disabled, while succumbing to their own vested interests. Their silence speaks volumes. It shows us exactly how deep the commitment to austerity and inequality runs in the halls of Westminster. While Scotland has limited powers to undo the damage they inflict, we do have the means to make a meaningful difference, and that's exactly what Scotland's Green MSPs and councillors have been doing. READ MORE: Plans for Glasgow tourist tax approved by councillors Of course, this work is never finished. Hunger doesn't clock off at the end of a parliamentary session and neither can we. The Scottish Greens will continue to fight for policies that put people first – and we're not afraid to say that it's the super-rich who should pay more in tax to pay for this. At the end of the day, the choices we make reflect the kind of country we want to be. Do we want to be a nation where children go hungry while their parents work two or three jobs for poverty wages? Or do we want to be a country that invests in its young people, supports families, and builds a future based on fairness and compassion? The Scottish Greens know where we stand and we're proud to keep fighting for the Scotland that our children and young people deserve.
Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
The SNP Government must choose between greedy companies or the people on Flamingo Land at Loch Lomond
There have been a few times in our decade-long campaign to save Loch Lomond where I've held my breath and thought it was probably all over. Moments where I wondered if we could actually save this world-famous location from being destroyed by Flamingo Land's daft mega-resort. But time after time our people-powered campaign has held off this greedy company. We have - so far - stopped them from exploiting Scotland's natural heritage for their own profit. Over 155,000 of us lodged objections, making their mega-resort the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history. We were joined by experts like the Woodland Trust and the Government's own environment watchdog, SEPA. Last September we won, persuading the National Park's board to unanimously reject this destructive application. But then, in a move Ebeneezer Scrooge would be proud of, they lodged an appeal right before Christmas. And astonishingly, the Government official tasked with considering it decided to grant them permission, overturning the Park board's democratic decision and disregarding the overwhelming weight of evidence that the mega-resort would do huge damage. We couldn't let it end there though. For almost ten years the largely working-class community in Balloch has fought a David and Goliath struggle against this greedy developer. Our campaign to save Loch Lomond wasn't going to be defeated at the last minute on the whim of a single government official. In just two weeks over 50,000 of us wrote to the Planning Minister to demand that he recalled the decision. Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie raised it in Parliament, challenging the First Minister to step in. Our supporters across the country contacted MSPs of all parties but especially the SNP, calling on them to support our efforts. And just like that, on the eve of losing a vote in Parliament, the Scottish Government u-turned and recalled the decision. This is far from over, but Ministers themselves will now have the final say, not officials. That's how it should be for a development this big at the gateway to Loch Lomond. Decisions of national importance must be taken by elected MSPs. Government Ministers should not hide behind their officials. Loch Lomond i s the crown jewel of Scotland's natural environment. It's world famous for a reason. The gateway to the loch shouldn't be stuck behind traffic jams and resort gates. Both the environment itself and the community in Balloch deserve to be protected. From the flood risk and loss of ancient woodland to the extra 250+ cars per hour on already gridlocked local roads at peak times, the reasons to reject this application and end this saga are overwhelming. The Scottish Government has a choice. They can decide whether Scotland's national parks are just another 'investment opportunity' for greedy companies who would cause huge damage for a quick profit. Or they can finally side with the Scottish Greens, environmental experts, the residents of Balloch and 155,000 people across Scotland, end this saga, and save Loch Lomond.
Edinburgh Reporter
15 hours ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
East Lothian egg company fight to become self sufficient
A free range egg company's bid to reduce carbon emissions has been challenged by planners after they applied to install a 67 metre high wind turbine on their farm. East Lothian Eggs Limited wants to install the turbine to allow it to produce enough green energy on the site to heat its sheds and operate its business at Howden Farm, near Gifford, in the county. A report by planning officers said the total height of the turbine was 20 metres higher than their limit for the area and the Ministry of Defence had said it would need infra red lights on its highest points, if approved as it is in a low flying zone for military manoeuvres. Officers recommended the turbine be refused saying it was too hight and would have too much of an impact on surrounding countryside, however the application has been called in by Scottish Greens councillor Shona McIntosh, and will go before a planning committee next week for a decision. Councillor McIntosh called in the application for elected members to consider the objections further and allow input from the council's own climate change officer. A report to go to the committee says Councillor McIntosh 'said: 'It may also be useful to get input from the Climate Change Officer regarding this case, as if climate mitigation is being weighed against landscape effects, then a response from the officer with expertise in climate mitigation would help the committee have a rounded view of the issues before making a determination.' In their design statement for the turbine, representatives from the egg company said the move would help it towards zero emissions and support the business' 'green credentials'. The report said: 'Maintaining the hen sheds at the required temperatures for egg production requires a significant amount of energy for heating. The Planning Statement states that this is a contributing factor to the climate crises. 'Currently Howden Farm uses ground source heat pumps, an existing wind turbine and solar panels for electricity generation, however, the applicants do still rely on grid energy which is noted to be burdensome to the existing agriculture business. 'The applicant's agent states that increasing the renewable energy generation at Howden Farm will be a significant benefit to the business, environment and community. 'The proposed turbine would allow this local rural business to secure green, low carbon and zero emission technology, positively contributing to ELC's declared climate emergency and associated climate change targets. 'Whilst playing a part in increasing the business' green credentials.' The application received one letter of support from someone who said they backed farmers who are trying to reduce their carbon footprint, and two objections from people who were concerned about its impact on the surrounding Lammermuirs and horses and foals living on the surrounding land. The application will go before the planning committee on Tuesday, June 25. By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
BBC News
19 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Edinburgh council to look into giving workers four-day week
City of Edinburgh Council is to look into the possibilty of introducing a four day week for its employees. Councillors voted for a motion put forward by Claire Miller, who said the move could provide a new way to help with staffing and morale. The Scottish Green councillor told a full council meeting it would help fill empty roles and aid with poor health. Several councils in the UK have expressed interest in testing a four-day work week, with South Cambridgeshire District Council being the first to trial it. Officers will now prepare a report for the city council's finance and resources committee with information and data on recruitment, retention, productivity and health of workers. It will also explore the evidence from reduced or four-day week pilots, trials, and permanent models in relevant Miller said: "The four day week is a policy where our services remain as they are and there are no changes as far as the residents are concerned in terms of the opening hours provided to them."Studies into a four day week show productivity remains the same or in some cases can actually improve, and a great proportion of the working week is given back to people for their own responsibilities for rest and for leisure."A four day week is that rare unicorn policy, one where we can help our budgets but we would also be providing genuine benefits for our workers and through them to our residents." Scottish Conservative councillor Christopher Cowdy warned that the report needed to be "balanced and grounded". He said the council should be cautious in their interpretation from limited trials such as a Cambridgeshire pilot, and that Edinburgh residents should also be consulted.
Edinburgh Live
a day ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
East Lothian egg farm facing battle to install huge wind turbine
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A free range egg company's bid to reduce carbon emissions has been challenged by planners after they applied to install a 67 metre high wind turbine on their farm. East Lothian Eggs Limited wants to install the turbine to allow it to produce enough green energy on the site to heat its sheds and operate its business at Howden Farm, near Gifford, in the county. A report by planning officers said the total height of the turbine was 20 metres higher than their limit for the area and the Ministry of Defence had said it would need infra red lights on its highest points, if approved as it is in a low flying zone for military manoeuvres. Officers recommended the turbine be refused saying it was too hight and would have too much of an impact on surrounding countryside, however the application has been called in by Scottish Greens councillor Shona McIntosh, and will go before a planning committee next week for a decision. Councillor McIntosh called in the application for elected members to consider the objections further and allow input from the council's own climate change officer. A report to go to the committee says Councillor McIntosh 'said: 'It may also be useful to get input from the Climate Change Officer regarding this case, as if climate mitigation is being weighed against landscape effects, then a response from the officer with expertise in climate mitigation would help the committee have a rounded view of the issues before making a determination.' In their design statement for the turbine, representatives from the egg company said the move would help it towards zero emissions and support the business' 'green credentials'. The report said: 'Maintaining the hen sheds at the required temperatures for egg production requires a significant amount of energy for heating. The Planning Statement states that this is a contributing factor to the climate crises. 'Currently Howden Farm uses ground source heat pumps, an existing wind turbine and solar panels for electricity generation, however, the applicants do still rely on grid energy which is noted to be burdensome to the existing agriculture business. 'The applicant's agent states that increasing the renewable energy generation at Howden Farm will be a significant benefit to the business, environment and community. "The proposed turbine would allow this local rural business to secure green, low carbon and zero emission technology, positively contributing to ELC's declared climate emergency and associated climate change targets. "Whilst playing a part in increasing the business' green credentials.' The application received one letter of support from someone who said they backed farmers who are trying to reduce their carbon footprint, and two objections from people who were concerned about its impact on the surrounding Lammermuirs and horses and foals living on the surrounding land. The application will go before the planning committee on Tuesday, June 25.
