Top & Timely
The Housing Bill is now the Housing Act (Scotland) 2025, which means Scotland has rent controls, tenants have more rights to keep pets and to decorate and much more. It is the single most substantial piece of legislation that has been passed in Scotland this parliamentary term to transfer power away from landlords and to tenants. This bill was the result of the Bute House Agreement, and based on Scottish Greens policy and hard work. While some of the provisions of the bill were watered down following the collapse of the cooperation agreement, we can be clear that these protections would not be in place if it weren’t for the Scottish Greens; the SNP would never have brought a bill like this without us.
Media & Chamber
I enjoyed meeting with residents of Lothian Region during the Mass Climate Lobby, organised by Stop Climate Chaos, at Dynamic Earth. It is so lovely to meet constituents who care about climate and nature and are interested in hearing about what we are doing in Parliament. They were particularly concerned about the Natural Environment Bill, the Heat in Buildings Bill and marine protections.
The work of the committee to look at the landscape of Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) supported bodies, has completed our work and reported. A, surprisingly well subscribed, debate on our findings took place on September 18th.
https://youtu.be/uRIWw38ZgJs?si=Efk789AVqJp4G9zN&t=2910
https://youtu.be/uRIWw38ZgJs?si=ZhwrQ1Vd4S8i54y6&t=5058
Regional & Campaigns
You are invited to the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Friends of Holyrood Park
Date: 03/11/2025
Time: 18:30 – 20:00
Location: Epworth Hall, Nicolson Square
All attendees will have the option to become members of the organisation, and therefore to stand for and vote on the new committee. The AGM will ratify the constitution and purpose statement for the new organisation.
I have been liaising with SDS Scotland and bike shops all over Scotland to make progress towards an apprenticeship framework for bicycle mechanics. This project was proposed by Gavin at Soul Cycles in Toll Cross and I’m excited to see where we can get to with it.
I am looking forward to getting progress updates from HES and Scottish Water ahead of the next planned town hall meeting on Linlithgow Loch, which I intend to host in November.
Committee & Portfolio
The Economy and Fair work Committee has begun its pre-budget scrutiny and its work on the Stage 1 report for the Community Wealth Building Bill. I am currently compiling a ‘long list’ of possible amendments to the bill by speaking to other MSPs, party members and stakeholders.
I am planning to bring several amendments to the Natural Environment Bill, having been invited to do so by the portfolio holder Mark Ruskell. This was a Bill that I substantially developed while I was Minister for Biodiversity, and the Scottish Government has removed some key provisions since that time. I will bring amendments that look at putting those back, but also at showing more ambition on nature restoration and on licensing pheasant and other non-native game bird releases.
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