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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: 26 June 2025

Gull Control

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "I thank Douglas Ross for lodging the motion for debate…

Chamber meeting date: 26 June 2025

Gull Control

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "I thank Douglas Ross for lodging the motion for debate…

Chamber meeting date: 26 June 2025

Young People’s Neurodivergence, Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "I, too, welcome the minister to his new post. In his statement, he said that it is important that children and their families are able to choose whether medication is right for them…

Chamber meeting date: 25 June 2025

Education (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Please record my vote as yes."

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting date: 24 June 2025

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "I again offer apologies on behalf of Ariane Burgess, who is convening this morning’s meeting of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee…

Votes

How Mark Ruskell has voted in Parliament

Find out how Mark Ruskell has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-18081

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - UK Legislation

Submitted by: Natalie Don-Innes, Renfrewshire North and West, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Supported by: Graeme Dey, Jenny Gilruth
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Result 87 for, 0 against, 28 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-18075

Employment Rights Bill - UK Legislation

Submitted by: Richard Lochhead, Moray, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, June 23, 2025

Supported by: Tom Arthur, Kate Forbes
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Result 88 for, 1 against, 27 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-18080

Product Regulation and Metrology Bill - UK Legislation

Submitted by: Richard Lochhead, Moray, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Result 80 for, 0 against, 34 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP abstained

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-18076

Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill - UK Legislation

Submitted by: Kaukab Stewart, Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, June 23, 2025

Supported by: Shirley-Anne Somerville
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Result 86 for, 0 against, 28 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 49 Amendment 232

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Result 88 for, 26 against, 0 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP voted for

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-39100

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 1 July 2025

"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what steps it is taking to make the parliamentary estate more pollinator-friendly, and whether these steps include (a) planting a more diverse array of plants for wild pollinators, (b) encouraging nature across the parliamentary estate more generally and (c) moving away from keeping bees in hives, in…

Answer expected on 29 July 2025

Question ref. S6W-39053

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 27 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what medical assessment is required by decision makers when authorising the renewal of Blue Badges; what type of healthcare professionals are involved in the renewal process; how they are involved, and whether they are involved in all applications."

Answer expected on 25 July 2025

Question ref. S6W-39052

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 27 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the policy recommendations in the University of Manchester report, On Hydrogen, including their potential impact on future (a) policy and (b) publicly funded research on hydrogen in Scotland."

Answer expected on 25 July 2025

Question ref. S6W-39050

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 27 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the University of Manchester report, On Hydrogen, what consideration it has given to the potential role that the recently established large industrial clusters could play in the decarbonisation of small industrial emitters."

Answer expected on 25 July 2025

Question ref. S6W-39054

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 27 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, following the removal of peak rail fares in September, whether super off-peak tickets will still be available for purchase at a reduced rate to commuters, and, if so, to which routes this will apply."

Answer expected on 25 July 2025

Question ref. S6W-38214

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 5 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-35205 by Jim Fairlie on 11 March 2025, whether it has reconvened the working group with third sector representatives to explore delivery options for free bus travel for asylum seekers, and, if it is the case that it has not yet done so, when this commitment is likely to be…

Answered by Jim Fairlie on 17 June 2025

Question ref. S6O-04832

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 12 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the response to question S6O-04050, what the findings were of the review of the terms and conditions of staff employed by MSPs, particularly in relation to parental leave policies."

Taken in the Chamber on 19 June 2025

Question ref. S6O-04824

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 11 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the UK Government regarding the Asylum Right to Work Pilot proposal, in light of the Home Office reportedly stating that it is unable to commit to exploring the feasibility of the proposal."

Taken in the Chamber on 19 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38215

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 5 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-35787 and S6W-27244 by Jim Fairlie on 26 March 2025 and 13 May 2024 respectively, whether it will provide an update on how many (a) journeys have been made and (b) young people have now received a free bus pass through the Young Persons' (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme,…

Answered by Jim Fairlie on 10 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-37801

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 21 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of fires at recycling centres across the Mid Scotland and Fife region, what action it is taking to (a) identify and (b) reduce any risk of fires at recycling centres, particularly in relation to the correct storage of recycled batteries."

Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 June 2025

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