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
Cross-party groups
Mark is a member of 15 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Accident Prevention and Safety Awareness
Member
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 Food
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on International Development
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Lung Health
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi
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 Nuclear Disarmament
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Outdoor Education
Member
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 12 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
14 June 2017 - 25 October 2021
Scottish Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund
Trustee
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
16 September 2020 - 04 May 2021
COVID19 Committee
Member
08 June 2016 - 04 May 2021
Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
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
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.
Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee meeting date: 22 September 2022
Scotland’s Census
Mark Ruskell: "I wonder whether, at this stage, there are particular lessons to be learned about the hard-to-count groups…
Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee meeting date: 22 September 2022
Pre-budget Scrutiny
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "The evidence this morning has been powerful…
Chamber meeting date: 21 September 2022
Oil and Gas Exploration Licences
3. Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "To ask the Scottish Government what its response is regarding the impact in Scotland of the reported plans of the United Kingdom Government to grant up to 130 new oil and gas exploration licences. (S6T-00873)"
Chamber meeting date: 21 September 2022
Court Backlogs (Impact on Remand for Young People)
6. Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is addressing court backlogs that are reportedly leading to young people being held on remand for longer than 140 days in young offenders institutions. (S6O-01353)"
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting date: 20 September 2022
Role of Local Government in Delivering Net Zero
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "Reading the submissions, I was struck by the lack of consistency across councils when it comes to setting targets, the scope of the targets and the plans that are being developed to meet those targets. Why is that? Is that a problem?"
Votes
How Mark Ruskell has voted in Parliament
Find out how Mark Ruskell has voted recently.
Scotland’s Population – Meeting the Needs of our Communities, Economy and Public Services
Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, September 26, 2022
Supported by: Mairi Gougeon, Neil Gray, Jenni Minto, Evelyn Tweed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Result 79 for, 29 against, 0 abstained, 21 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Scotland’s Population – Meeting the Needs of our Communities, Economy and Public Services
Submitted by: Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, September 26, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Result 31 for, 77 against, 0 abstained, 21 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Scotland’s Population – Meeting the Needs of our Communities, Economy and Public Services
Submitted by: Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, September 26, 2022
Supported by: Rhoda Grant
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Result 41 for, 67 against, 0 abstained, 21 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Ash Regan, Edinburgh Eastern, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Supported by: Keith Brown
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Result 84 for, 0 against, 25 abstained, 20 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Business Programme
Submitted by: George Adam, Paisley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Result 63 for, 47 against, 0 abstained, 19 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Mark Ruskell in Parliament
Find out what motions Mark Ruskell has submitted recently.
Written questions
Written questions Mark Ruskell has submitted in Parliament
These are the questions that this MSP has asked the Scottish Government about its work. It also includes any answer to these questions.
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 26 August 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what incentives exist to encourage solar farm developers to offer forms of community financial benefit."
Answered by: Michael Matheson on 23 September 2022
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 31 August 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the introduction of noise cameras on certain roads."
Answered by: Jenny Gilruth on 23 September 2022
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 20 September 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the 1,000 Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) that Scottish Water announced it will be monitoring as part of its Improving Urban Waters Route Map, and where monitoring data from these CSOs will be published."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 20 September 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its Programme for Government 2021-22 commitment to publish a programme of work and analysis to better understand Scotland’s energy requirements as it transitions to net zero."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 20 September 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with its consideration on joining the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 24 August 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is, regarding any potential impact on Scotland, to the reported UK Government policy proposal to require cyclists to be licensed and to display a number plate."
Answered by: Patrick Harvie on 20 September 2022
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 15 August 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-09016 by Jenny Gilruth on 23 June 2022, whether it will provide updated figures 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, based on the latest information…
Answered by: Jenny Gilruth on 20 September 2022
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 15 August 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what level of carbon production associated with energy generation it considers as low-carbon."
Answered by: Michael Matheson on 20 September 2022
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 31 August 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that every child leaves school with the ability to cycle safely."
Answered by: Patrick Harvie on 20 September 2022
Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 15 August 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government how many journeys have been completed by young people using a free bus pass through the Young Persons' (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme, based on the latest information available."
Answered by: Jenny Gilruth on 12 September 2022
See all of Mark Ruskell's written questions submitted in Parliament