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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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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

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

Cross-party groups

Mark is a member of 7 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 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

Co-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 2 party roles

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Green Party

Party Spokesperson on Transport

Scottish Green Party

Previous roles

Mark has had 21 previous roles

Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.

29 November 2023 - 29 April 2025

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Substitute Member

21 May 2021 - 01 July 2024

Party Spokesperson on Climate

Scottish Green Party

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

29 June 2016 - 04 May 2021

Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

Substitute Member

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

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: 15 May 2025

Gypsy Traveller Community (Public Apology)

1. Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "To ask the Scottish Government whether it will issue a formal public apology to members of the Gypsy Traveller community, in light of reports of the harm caused by what was known as the tinker experiment. (S6O-04656)"

Chamber meeting date: 15 May 2025

Second Home Ownership

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "I join colleagues in thanking Ross Greer for bringing this debate to the chamber…

Chamber meeting date: 15 May 2025

Gypsy Traveller Community (Public Apology)

1. Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "To ask the Scottish Government whether it will issue a formal public apology to members of the Gypsy Traveller community, in light of reports of the harm caused by what was known as the tinker experiment. (S6O-04656)"

Chamber meeting date: 14 May 2025

Beaches

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "I thank Kenny Gibson for bringing the debate to the chamber. We have this debate pretty much every year, and it is really good to be able to reflect on the progress that has been made and to celebrate MCS’s on-going, excellent work…

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 14 May 2025

Town and Country Planning (Marine Fish Farming) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2025 [Draft]

Mark Ruskell: "Before I move on to my question, convener, I want to get a bit of clarity from Iain Berrill. Does the industry see the instrument as effectively being about the relocation of salmon farms from inshore to a more high-energy environment offshore…

Votes

How Mark Ruskell has voted in Parliament

Find out how Mark Ruskell has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-17539

Scotland in Today’s Europe

Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Supported by: Jamie Hepburn
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, May 15, 2025

Result 70 for, 45 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-17539.1

Scotland in Today’s Europe

Submitted by: Neil Bibby, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Supported by: Foysol Choudhury
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, May 15, 2025

Result 15 for, 96 against, 3 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-17539.4

Scotland in Today’s Europe

Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, May 15, 2025

Result 27 for, 87 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-17525

Protecting Scotland’s Oil and Gas Industry

Submitted by: Douglas Lumsden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, May 12, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Result 61 for, 55 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-17525.3

Protecting Scotland’s Oil and Gas Industry

Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Supported by: Alasdair Allan
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Result 61 for, 56 against, 0 abstained, 11 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motions

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.

Question ref. S6W-37704

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 16 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-31971 by Gillian Martin on 12 December 2024, and the publication of its Programme for Government 2025-26, for what reason it no longer plans to introduce new primary legislation on drinking water and wastewater in the current parliamentary session."

Answer expected on 30 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37508

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 15 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-35785 by Jim Fairlie on 26 March 2025, whether (a) NatureScot presented its final version of the species licensing review to the Scottish Ministers in April 2025 and (b) it will provide an update on when it expects the findings to be published."

Answer expected on 29 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37415

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 6 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will amend regulation 8(b) of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (Scotland) Regulations 2003 to increase the level of fines from £20 to £80, in order to deter engine idling, in light of reports that fines have not increased in line with inflation."

Answered by Gillian Martin on 14 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37413

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 6 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there is a need to improve enforcement of the ban on engine idling to achieve its vision for Scotland to have the cleanest air in Europe and to protect human and environmental health."

Answered by Gillian Martin on 14 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37416

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 6 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update the 2003 guidance, Local Authority Powers to Require Drivers to Switch Off Engines When Parked, to enable local authorities to more effectively enforce the ban on engine idling."

Answered by Gillian Martin on 14 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37414

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 6 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will adopt the recommendations set out in the letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport of 11 March 2025, which was signed by over 20 councillors and environmental and public health groups, regarding the reported lack of enforcement of the ban on engine idling, in order to support its aim for Scotland…

Answered by Gillian Martin on 14 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37417

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 6 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect marine life currently at risk from bottom-trawling, and whether these actions will include further enforcement of requirements to release unintended bycatch immediately, reinstating spatial limits on bottom-trawling in coastal areas, and improving vessel monitoring to identify…

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 13 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37440

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 8 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how noise detection equipment is being deployed by Police Scotland in relation to motorbikes that break noise limits."

Answer expected on 22 May 2025

Question ref. S6O-04656

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 7 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will issue a formal public apology to members of the Gypsy/Traveller community, in light of reports of the harm caused by what was known as the Tinker Experiment."

Taken in the Chamber on 15 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-36941

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 17 April 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support households in rural areas with energy costs, in light of the 6.4% increase to the Ofgem price cap."

Answered by Alasdair Allan on 6 May 2025

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