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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 6 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Autism

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

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 23 previous roles

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

21 May 2025 - 18 November 2025

Education Children and Young People Committee

Substitute Member

29 April 2025 - 02 September 2025

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Member

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.

REACH (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2026

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting date: 10 February 2026

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "I am interested in finding out where we are with divergence from EU standards. How are you monitoring that? What are the main areas where we are starting to diverge from the EU?"

Draft Climate Change Plan

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting date: 10 February 2026

Mark Ruskell: "Thank you for reminding us, convener. Laughter.This is about a megatonne of emissions, if we look at the choices that the Government has made to not reduce livestock numbers and to not go for the recommended level of peatland restoration…

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting date: 10 February 2026

Mark Ruskell: "Last week, we asked the Cabinet Secretary for Transport about how the net zero assessment was working…

Asylum Seekers (Perth)

Chamber meeting date: 5 February 2026

1. Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to ensure the safety of people seeking asylum who are housed in hotels across Perth. (S6O-05467)"

Asylum Seekers (Perth)

Chamber meeting date: 5 February 2026

1. Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to ensure the safety of people seeking asylum who are housed in hotels across Perth. (S6O-05467)"

Votes

How Mark Ruskell has voted in Parliament

Find out how Mark Ruskell has voted recently.

Budget (Scotland) (No. 5) Bill

Motion ref. S6M-20720

Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, February 9, 2026

Supported by: Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 12, 2026

Result 65 for, 30 against, 24 abstained, 10 did not vote

MSP abstained

Agreed

Safety of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital

Motion ref. S6M-20731

Submitted by: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, February 9, 2026

Supported by: Anas Sarwar, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Result 63 for, 58 against, 0 abstained, 8 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Community Policing

Motion ref. S6M-20730

Submitted by: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, February 9, 2026

Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Result 66 for, 54 against, 1 abstained, 8 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Community Policing

Motion ref. S6M-20730.1

Submitted by: Angela Constance, Almond Valley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Supported by: Siobhian Brown
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Result 66 for, 55 against, 1 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Safety of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital

Motion ref. S6M-20731.1

Submitted by: Neil Gray, Airdrie and Shotts, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Supported by: Tom Arthur, Jenni Minto, Maree Todd
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Result 59 for, 63 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

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.

Question reference: S6W-43744

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 13 February 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 27 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the (a) prevalence of respiratory disease and (b) number of emergency hospital admissions for respiratory conditions nationally, and what steps it is taking to ensure that respiratory health is prioritised nationally."

Question reference: S6W-43745

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 13 February 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 27 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the potential role of a respiratory framework in reducing winter pressures on the NHS by simultaneously improving outcomes for long-term respiratory conditions and short-term respiratory illnesses such as the flu."

Question reference: S6W-43545

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 3 February 2026

Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 12 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to a requirement for greyhounds exiting the racing industry to have a complete veterinary history, including full disclosure of any injuries or medical conditions resulting from racing."

Question reference: S6W-43423

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 29 January 2026

Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 12 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns that the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund is making it more difficult for community projects to access funding needed to deliver their active travel initiatives."

Question reference: S6W-43420

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 29 January 2026

Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 12 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government how many tickets that would have previously been considered peak-fare have been sold on ScotRail routes since the permanent removal of peak fares in September 2025."

Question reference: S6W-43415

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 29 January 2026

Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 12 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government, regarding ScotRail’s most recent procurement tender for a new rail fleet, how many battery electric multiple units will be (a) procured and (b) allocated for Fife routes."

Question reference: S6W-43418

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 29 January 2026

Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 11 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government how many first-class rail tickets across all ScotRail routes have been sold since the permanent removal of peak fares in September 2025."

Question reference: S6W-43414

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 29 January 2026

Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 11 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether the procurement of new rail stock will include an increase in carriages with cycle storage spaces, in light of a reported lack of storage on certain routes."

Question reference: S6W-43419

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 29 January 2026

Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 11 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what change there has been to passenger numbers on ScotRail routes since the permanent removal of peak fares in September 2025."

Question reference: S6W-43440

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 29 January 2026

Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 11 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-40006 by Fiona Hyslop on 18 September 2025, what recent discussions it has had with the operator regarding the Fair Work First criteria in the granting of public funds."