Mark Ruskell
Scottish Green Party
MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife (Region) 2016 - present day
Former MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife (Region) 2003 - 2007
About Mark Ruskell
Contact details
Contact online
Email: [email protected]
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 6468
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at local office
Unit 23
Stirling Business Centre
Wellgreen
Stirling
FK8 2DZ
Phone: 01786 448 203
Text relay calls welcome.
Committees
Mark is a member of 4 committees
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Substitute Member
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
Mark is a member of 9 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Autism
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Circular Economy
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Europe
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Lung Health
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Migration
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Nature and Climate
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Nordic Countries
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Sustainable Transport
Deputy Convener
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Mark has 1 parliamentary and government role
Scottish Commission For Public Audit
Member
Party Roles
Mark has 3 party roles
Party Spokesperson on Climate
Scottish Green Party
Party Spokesperson on the Environment
Scottish Green Party
Party Spokesperson on Transport
Scottish Green Party
Previous roles
Mark has had 17 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
14 June 2017 - 09 March 2022
Scottish Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund
Trustee
26 May 2016 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Climate Change
Scottish Green Party
26 May 2016 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on the Environment
Scottish Green Party
26 May 2016 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy
Scottish Green Party
08 June 2016 - 04 May 2021
Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Member
16 September 2020 - 04 May 2021
COVID19 Committee
Member
29 June 2016 - 04 May 2021
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Substitute Member
06 September 2018 - 04 May 2021
Economy Energy and Fair Work Committee
Substitute Member
13 September 2018 - 16 September 2020
Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Deputy Convener
04 September 2018 - 13 September 2018
Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Member
29 June 2016 - 06 September 2018
Economy Jobs and Fair Work Committee
Substitute Member
21 June 2005 - 02 April 2007
Party Spokesperson on Fisheries
Scottish Green Party
28 May 2003 - 02 April 2007
Party Spokesperson on the Environment
Scottish Green Party
28 June 2006 - 02 April 2007
Environment and Rural Development Committee
Substitute Member
09 September 2004 - 07 June 2006
Environment and Rural Development Committee
Deputy Convener
30 June 2004 - 09 September 2004
Environment and Rural Development Committee
Member
03 September 2003 - 30 June 2004
Environment and Rural Development Committee
Substitute Member
Register of interests
Mark's register of interests
MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.
Here is the register for Mark Ruskell. The date of their initial statement was 02 June 2021.
Remuneration and related undertaking
Until May 2017 I was a local authority councillor for Stirling Council (of Old Viewforth, 14-20 Pitt Terrace, Stirling FK8 2ET). I worked 15 hours per week in this role. Until 15 May 2016, when my salary ceased, I received remuneration of between £15,001 and £20,000 per annum.
Gifts
No registrable interests
Overseas visits
From 14 t o 16 August 2018 I travelled to Norway on a study visit to explore Deposit Return Schemes. The costs of the visit were approximately £689, £220 for hotel, £319 for flights and around £150 for meals, which were met by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (a registered charity that funds the charitable work of organisations that are building an inclusive, creative and sustainable society of Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG).
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
I am an Honorary Associate Member of the British Veterinary Association.
Recent Activity
What was said
What Mark Ruskell has said in Parliament
These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.
Chamber meeting date: 15 May 2024
HMP Stirling (Noise Disturbance)
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "I think that the cabinet secretary knows that the situation is utterly intolerable for people who live near the prison. The SPS has offered mitigations, but they are not working…
Chamber meeting date: 15 May 2024
Culture and the Arts (Funding)
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "Last week, the Culture, Media and Sport Committee at Westminster urged the UK Government to press ahead with a UK-wide arena ticket levy preceded by an interim voluntary scheme that is led by industry…
Chamber meeting date: 14 May 2024
Deposit Return Scheme (Legal Action)
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "The Secretary of State for Scotland made the unilateral decision to block Scotland’s deposit return scheme…
Chamber meeting date: 14 May 2024
Action to Tackle Climate Change
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "Would the member reflect on the fact that his colleagues often use the phrase “extremist Greens”? Does he believe that that is acceptable, or that it is in fact fuelling a lack of consensus in the chamber?"
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting date: 14 May 2024
Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "I mentioned amendment 191 when we debated amendment 183 last week. Members might remember that they are about considering harmful and polluting materials in the determination of targets…
Votes
How Mark Ruskell has voted in Parliament
Find out how Mark Ruskell has voted recently.
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Roz McCall
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 29 for, 95 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Scotland’s Housing Emergency
Submitted by: Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, May 13, 2024
Supported by: Sarah Boyack, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 95 for, 29 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Jenny Gilruth, Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Graeme Dey, Natalie Don
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 62 for, 62 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, May 13, 2024
Supported by: Paul Sweeney, Martin Whitfield
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 62 for, 61 against, 1 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Scotland’s Housing Emergency
Submitted by: Paul McLennan, East Lothian, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Kaukab Stewart
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 69 for, 33 against, 22 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Mark Ruskell in Parliament
Find out what motions Mark Ruskell has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Mark Ruskell has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 15 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to consult on the introduction of a carbon emissions land tax for large landowners."
Taken in the Chamber on 22 May 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 2 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the introduction of a working group for the delivery of the Onshore Wind Sector Deal for Scotland, and the forthcoming publication of a paper identifying the skills needed to deliver Scotland’s climate ambitions."
Answered by Gillian Martin on 15 May 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 2 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the timeframe for the creation of a Just Transition Plan for the Mossmorran industrial site developed in partnership with the operators of the plant, workforce and the local community."
Answered by Gillian Martin on 15 May 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 14 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on phase 2 of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB2) funding; a list of successful applicants to the fund, and whether it has any plans to introduce a future funding stream targeted to smaller community transport operators."
Answer expected on 30 May 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 2 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to secure 8GW to 12GW of installed onshore wind by 2030."
Answered by Gillian Martin on 14 May 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 2 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what public consultation process it carries out with local community groups when significant harvesting plans are proposed in areas that could affect national and local conservation projects."
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 14 May 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 2 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to accelerate woodland creation to 18,000 hectares a year by 2024-25."
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 14 May 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 2 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will report on the climate compatibility assessment for the dualling of the A96 route between Inverness and Aberdeen to assess direct and indirect impacts on the climate and the environment."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 14 May 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 13 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason non-compliance with the Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice 2013 is a criminal offence in the rest of the UK, but not in Scotland, and whether it has any plans to introduce a criminal offence for such non-compliance."
Answer expected on 29 May 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 2 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17939 by Kevin Stewart on 25 May 2023, whether it will provide an update on how many young people have now received a free bus pass through the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme, broken down by local authority area, based on the latest information available."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 13 May 2024