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 2 committees
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 19 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
29 November 2023 - 26 June 2024
Equalities Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Substitute Member
08 September 2021 - 26 June 2024
Constitution Europe External Affairs and Culture Committee
Member
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
06 September 2018 - 04 May 2021
Economy Energy and Fair Work Committee
Substitute Member
29 June 2016 - 04 May 2021
Rural Economy and Connectivity 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.
I am a hobby beekeeper. [Registered 28 May 2024]
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: 26 June 2024
Climate Emergency
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "I am delighted to hear Douglas Lumsden talk about renewable energy and the need to invest in it…
Chamber meeting date: 26 June 2024
Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "I am very proud that the bill will be passed today. It has been a long time in the making. Covid delayed the introduction of a bill on the circular economy in the previous session of Parliament, so it is welcome to see the bill before us today…
Chamber meeting date: 25 June 2024
Linwood Industrial Estate Fire
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "The scenes that we saw were absolutely horrific, and I pay tribute to the emergency services…
Chamber meeting date: 25 June 2024
Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "This is a large group of amendments, so I will try to be as succinct as Maurice Golden was. Amendments 31 and 33 set out a requirement for ministers to “set out improvement plans for ... Minerals” that are critical to the green energy transition…
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting date: 25 June 2024
Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "I want to focus on compensation for improvements. Will new schedule 5 to the 1991 act, which will be inserted by section 14(9) of the bill, improve the process for agreeing improvements between tenant and landlord…
Votes
How Mark Ruskell has voted in Parliament
Find out how Mark Ruskell has voted recently.
Scottish Government Priorities: Tackling the Climate Emergency
Submitted by: Douglas Lumsden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 50 for, 68 against, 0 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, June 24, 2024
Supported by: Màiri McAllan
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 116 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Scottish Government Priorities: Tackling the Climate Emergency
Submitted by: Patrick Harvie, Glasgow, Scottish Green Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Supported by: Mark Ruskell
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 8 for, 108 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Scottish Government Priorities: Tackling the Climate Emergency
Submitted by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 58 for, 59 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Result 68 for, 0 against, 46 abstained, 15 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: 27 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Climate Change Committee's recommendation in the publication, Progress in reducing emissions in Scotland, 2023 Report to Parliament, whether it has further investigated the emissions reduction potential of dietary choices in Scotland, particularly in relation to meat and dairy consumption reduction."
Answer expected on 25 July 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 27 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what policy measures it is considering to encourage people in Scotland to eat more plant-based meals, as illustrated in the Eatwell Guide."
Answer expected on 25 July 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 26 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its previous commitment to establish at least one new national park before the end of the current parliamentary session, and the reporter process to do so reportedly needing to be started in summer 2024 in order to be able to deliver any new national parks within this timeframe, when it will make the…
Answer expected on 24 July 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 17 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what work it is undertaking to update the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967."
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 26 June 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 24 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27671 by Jim Fairlie on 4 June 2024, when it plans to roll out the national pilot scheme to provide free bus travel to people seeking asylum, and what plans it has to evaluate the impact of the scheme."
Answer expected on 22 July 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 5 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to any (a) current and (b) future mineral mining exploration and related activities in Scotland, what plans it has to ensure that just transition principles are applied to support any communities in Scotland that are affected by such activities."
Answered by Ivan McKee on 18 June 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 5 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement NatureScot has had with the Bat Conservation Trust regarding the protection of bat species from the loss of roost sites."
Answered by Gillian Martin on 18 June 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 5 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what action NatureScot is taking to safeguard bat roost sites located on homes, while highlighting the importance of bat species protection to householders."
Answered by Gillian Martin on 14 June 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 5 June 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether NatureScot has analysed the impact delivered by contracted bat workers on bat species conservation."
Answered by Gillian Martin on 14 June 2024
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 30 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any impact of its Infrastructure Investment Plan on it meeting its climate ambitions."
Answered by Shona Robison on 11 June 2024