Latest news with #Ruskell
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Call made to stop rich "hoarding" Stirling properties
An MSP has claimed too many young people are forced to leave the communities they have grown up in due to housing shortages and high house prices - caused by second homes and holiday lets. Reducing the number of second homes in Stirling could help to tackle the housing crisis says a local MSP. Mark Ruskell, Scottish Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, says making it harder for the wealthy to 'hoard' homes by increasing their tax is crucial to tackle the issue in Stirlingshire. The most recent data from the Scottish Government shows that second homes and short-term lets make up 2.5 per cent of all housing in Stirling. This is higher than the national average (1.8 per cent). At the same time, a housing emergency has been declared across Scotland and over 10,000 children are in temporary accommodation. Second homes are more common in areas of natural beauty, including Callander, Aberfoyle and Bridge of Allan. In many cases young people are forced to leave the communities they have grown up in due to housing shortages and high house prices caused by second homes and holiday lets. Mr Ruskell says the Scottish Greens have already taken action to reduce the spread of holiday homes and short term lets, doubling the tax paid when buying a home for these purposes and giving councils the power to double council tax on these properties. This reduced the number of second homes by 2455 in Scotland last year compared to 2023 and raised tens of millions of pounds for public services like the NHS and schools. Speaking in Parliament last week, Mr Ruskell raised concerns about the expansion of second home ownership, and called for action to protect communities and help first time house buyers by reducing the number of holiday homes. He said: 'Scotland is in a housing crisis. Everyone in Parliament agrees on this, but it's only the Scottish Greens delivering the changes needed to tackle it. 'The fact that we have hundreds of second homes and short term lets across Stirlingshire, outstripping the national average, is a major reason why this crisis is so much worse locally. Wealthy people buying up properties they won't live in are pushing out young families in particular. 'These houses either lie empty for most of the year as holiday homes, or they are hoarded by landlords making a fortune from Airbnb-style short term lets. Either way, its first-time buyers who are pushed out by those with much more financial muscle. 'There are 10,000 children stuck in temporary accommodation, but 49,000 second homes and short term lets. This is a crisis which can clearly be solved. We'll only do that by taking on the wealthy few, those who pay very little tax while hoovering up the houses which other people need. 'The current Housing Bill is a watershed moment in the Scottish Parliament. Thanks to the Scottish Greens it will deliver controls on rent increases and new rights and protections for renters. 'However, it must go further to tackle the vast inequality gap that we see between the rich and the vulnerable in Stirlingshire. 'The Scottish Government must listen to us and act boldly to stop the hollowing out of our communities.' In his speech, Mr Ruskell said his area's communities welcomed people who come to make their lives in permanent homes, but that more second homes were artificially inflating the housing market and pricing out locals, particularly families taking their first steps in the housing market. 'Adult children often have to stay in the family home while saving for a deposit or even to move out of their community, away from friends and family, at a stage in life when support networks are incredibly important. 'I also see older people struggling. They can become trapped in unsuitable housing because there are few properties available to downsize into and they sometimes end up in precarious tenancies in poorly serviced park homes. There are few options for people in many rural communities. 'It is in those hotspots that we can most clearly see the impact of second home ownership. Shops close because of a lack of regular custom, schools have dwindling numbers of young people, leading to their eventual closure, and residents no longer have neighbours.'
The National
23-05-2025
- Climate
- The National
Warning issued over 'severe' environmental impact of Scottish wildfires
Over the last several weeks, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has battled dozens of wildfires across the country, with evacuations taking place in some areas. Just yesterday, firefighters were at the scene of a forest wildfire for a fourth day. The blaze in Culbin Forest, near Forres in Moray, has affected an area the size of some 900 football pitches. READ MORE: Tories told to 'come clean' after sharing call to abolish Welsh parliament 'Images of the recent wildfires across Scotland are harrowing,' Mark Ruskell told The National. The Scottish Greens MSP added: 'Forests ablaze, scorched earth stripped of its nature, and homes and businesses put at risk. The impact to our environment, its fragile ecosystems, and the plant and wildlife that rely on it, is severe.' Ruskell also highlighted the particular danger in Scotland given our extensive amount of peatland. Scottish peatlands store a gigantic 1.7 billion tonnes of carbon, equivalent to 140 years of Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions. (Image: Peter Jolly) 'In 2019, a wildfire on Europe's largest peatland in Caithness and Sutherland doubled Scotland's climate emissions for the days it burned, highlighting the special risks posed in Scotland,' Ruskell said. 'We must redouble our efforts to restore and rewet peatlands, minimising the risk of flooding and wildfires while locking up emissions. 'Record heat, sun and lack of rainfall have all contributed as climate breakdown moves from warnings to reality. Without fundamental change, the threat, and the cost of dealing with it, will only become more severe.' Academics have warned that wildfires are simply 'the new normal' in Scotland and will become a more frequent occurrence as a result of climate change. Already last month, the area of the UK burnt by wildfires was already higher than the total for any year since 2012, according to satellite data. More than 29,200 hectares (292 sq km or 113 sq miles) was burnt as of April 27, according to figures from the Global Wildfire Information System.
Scottish Sun
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Greyhounds forced to undergo security checks and wear visitor passes during Holyrood visit
Holyrood sources said it was "no joke" MUTTS BE JOKING Greyhounds forced to undergo security checks and wear visitor passes during Holyrood visit Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GREYHOUNDS yesterday had visitor passes put round their necks by jobsworth security staff after they were led into Holyrood for a photocall with an MSP. Parly guards at the public entrance even put the pooches' beds through metal scanners normally reserved for items like rucksacks and handbags. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Dogs were given visitor badges 3 The move has been branded bizarre 3 Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell wants to end greyhound racing They allowed the dogs to keep their collars and coats on as they took part in their checks. But their beds were then passed through scanners. Staff at the reception then wrapped visitor passes around the necks of the hounds, which they were seen wearing throughout their visit to Holyrood. A Holyrood source said: 'Security staff were robust with the dogs. The visitor passes were no joke.' The checks were mocked by parliamentary sources, with a Scottish Tory insider joking: 'People will find this bizarre approach by Parliament staff as somewhat over the top or even barking mad. 'Here's hoping they show some common sense if dogs visit Holyrood again in support of other legislation, such as Maurice Golden's plans to crackdown on dog thefts.' The bizarre checks came despite security staff having prior knowledge of the animal's arrival to the Scottish Parliament, for an event to tie in with the launch of Mr Ruskell's member's bill. A Scottish Green spokesman told us: 'As far as we knew they were guests so they had to have passes. 'They may have gotten a lot of attention, but they were very well behaved guests.' Parly chiefs last night admitted they had searched the dogs 'like all visitors' — but insisted the visitor passes were a 'bit of fun'. However, this was disputed by our insider who said staff insisted on the dogs wearing the lanyards. A Holyrood spokesman said: 'Like all visitors, the greyhounds and their baskets were searched by our security staff. 'But the wearing of 'visitor passes' was a bit of fun initiated by the photocall organisers to help promote the Bill.' Lewis Hamilton's beloved dog Roscoe diagnosed with pneumonia as carer gives health update Some sources said they were surprised to see dogs in parliament, having believed they were not allowed in unless they were guide dogs or other working dogs. But Holyrood will welcome more mutts to the Scottish Parliament on Monday for the annual 'Dog of the Year' contest, run by the The Kennel Club and the Dogs Trust. Mr Ruskell's rescued greyhound Bert, is in the running for top dog, alongside SNP MSP David Torrance's golden retriever Buster and Scottish Tory MSP Craig Hoy's black lab Roma. Two bills around dogs are going through Holyrood, with Mr Ruskell's ban on greyhound racing being introduced to parliament on Wednesday and Scottish Tory MSP Maurice Golden's bid to make dog theft a specific criminal offence also being considered by MSPs. Nats chiefs came under fire last year as they refused to bring in a ban on XL Bullies, only to u-turn months later and follow England and Wales by making it illegal to own the dogs without a permit.
Scottish Sun
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Popular sport could be BANNED in Scotland after ‘milestone moment'
Read on to find out where Scotland's only dog track is located 'DYING INDUSTRY' Popular sport could be BANNED in Scotland after 'milestone moment' A BID to end greyhound racing in Scotland will reach a "milestone moment'' as a Bill to ban the sport is formally lodged at Holyrood. Green MSP Mark Ruskell is proposing legislation which, if passed, would end what he says is a " cruel sport" that involves "too many dogs" being killed or badly injured. Advertisement 2 A bill to ban greyhound racing has been formally lodged at Holyrood Credit: AP His member's Bill already has the support of animal welfare campaigners and now Mr Ruskell is calling on his fellow MSPs to get behind it. Speaking ahead of lodging the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill, the Green MSP - who has a former racing greyhound as a pet - said: "This is a milestone moment for my Bill and I am grateful to all of the MSPs and campaigners who have helped us to get to this stage. "Greyhound racing is a cruel sport that causes a huge amount of harm to dogs. Far too many have been killed or badly injured on the tracks. "There is no safe or humane way to force a group of dogs to run around an oval track at 40 mph and it is totally wrong to make them do it in the name of profit.'' Advertisement His Bill comes after the Welsh Government announced in February that greyhound racing will be banned there "as soon as practically possible''. The Green MSP added: "With Wales taking action, Scotland is looking increasingly isolated in allowing this gambling-led spectacle to continue. "I hope that the Scottish Government and MSPs from all parties will support me, and that we can get my Bill over the line and end greyhound racing for good.'' Scotland currently has one track, the Thornton greyhound track in Fife. Advertisement A spokesperson for the Unbound the Greyhound coalition said the sport was a "dying industry where dogs are nothing more than commodities in a gambling-led pastime''. The spokesperson said: "We wholeheartedly welcome the proposed Bill to end the exploitation of these gentle dogs. "The Scottish Parliament has a landmark opportunity to advance animal welfare and we urge parliamentarians to show compassion and support the Bill to end greyhound racing.'' Mark Bird, chief executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, said: "To be clear, there is no licensed greyhound racing taking place in Scotland today. Advertisement "As such, this is not a Bill which has any relevance to the people of Scotland - particularly when there are so many other pressing issues affecting their daily lives. "Unfortunately, this is a confused and ill thought-out piece of legislation with implications that go well beyond the remit of racing greyhounds in Scotland. 2 A popular sport could be banned in Scotland after a 'milestone moment' Credit: PA "It says more about Mark Ruskell's vested interests than the wellbeing of animals and any ban would simply jeopardise the welfare of greyhounds. Advertisement "We have submitted considerable evidence to the RAI committee and have had positive meetings with them about the importance and effectiveness of strong regulation. "We also provided significant evidence to Mr Ruskell's own consultation which he failed to reflect or consider. "This Bill ignores the substantial evidence which proves the need for effective regulation to safeguard greyhound welfare. "Anyone in Scotland whose hospital appointment has been cancelled, or whose school standards have slipped, will wonder why on earth the Scottish Parliament is giving this any time when there are actual priorities for the country. Advertisement "The electorate will be confused and disgusted that parliamentary time is being given to this. "Mr Ruskell cites the dodgy backroom deal between the Welsh Government and the single Liberal Democrat Senedd Member to secure the passing of their Budget by agreeing to consider a ban on greyhound racing in Wales as if this was, in any way, something laudable. "The significant criticism that this backroom deal received across the board demonstrates the folly of this kind of politics. "Fringe agendas should be left for the Edinburgh Festival - not facilitated by the Scottish Parliament.''
STV News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- STV News
‘Milestone moment' for bid to ban greyhound racing in Scotland with Bill lodged
A bid to end greyhound racing in Scotland will reach a 'milestone moment' as a Bill to ban the sport is formally lodged at Holyrood. Green MSP Mark Ruskell is proposing legislation which, if passed, would end what he says is a 'cruel sport' that involves 'too many dogs' being killed or badly injured. His member's Bill already has the support of animal welfare campaigners and now Mr Ruskell is calling on his fellow MSPs to get behind it. Speaking ahead of lodging the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill, the Green MSP – who has a former racing greyhound as a pet – said: 'This is a milestone moment for my Bill and I am grateful to all of the MSPs and campaigners who have helped us to get to this stage. 'Greyhound racing is a cruel sport that causes a huge amount of harm to dogs. Far too many have been killed or badly injured on the tracks. 'There is no safe or humane way to force a group of dogs to run around an oval track at 40 mph and it is totally wrong to make them do it in the name of profit.' His Bill comes after the Welsh Government announced in February that greyhound racing will be banned there 'as soon as practically possible'. The Green MSP added: 'With Wales taking action, Scotland is looking increasingly isolated in allowing this gambling-led spectacle to continue. 'I hope that the Scottish Government and MSPs from all parties will support me, and that we can get my Bill over the line and end greyhound racing for good.' Scotland currently has one track, the Thornton greyhound track in Fife. A spokesperson for the Unbound the Greyhound coalition said the sport was a 'dying industry where dogs are nothing more than commodities in a gambling-led pastime'. The spokesperson said: 'We wholeheartedly welcome the proposed Bill to end the exploitation of these gentle dogs. 'The Scottish Parliament has a landmark opportunity to advance animal welfare and we urge parliamentarians to show compassion and support the Bill to end greyhound racing.' Mark Bird, chief executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, said: 'To be clear, there is no licensed greyhound racing taking place in Scotland today. As such, this is not a Bill which has any relevance to the people of Scotland – particularly when there are so many other pressing issues affecting their daily lives. 'Unfortunately, this is a confused and ill thought-out piece of legislation with implications that go well beyond the remit of racing greyhounds in Scotland. It says more about Mark Ruskell's vested interests than the wellbeing of animals and any ban would simply jeopardise the welfare of greyhounds. 'We have submitted considerable evidence to the RAI committee and have had positive meetings with them about the importance and effectiveness of strong regulation. We also provided significant evidence to Mr Ruskell's own consultation which he failed to reflect or consider. This Bill ignores the substantial evidence which proves the need for effective regulation to safeguard greyhound welfare. 'Anyone in Scotland whose hospital appointment has been cancelled, or whose school standards have slipped, will wonder why on earth the Scottish Parliament is giving this any time when there are actual priorities for the country. The electorate will be confused and disgusted that parliamentary time is being given to this. 'Mr Ruskell cites the dodgy backroom deal between the Welsh Government and the single Liberal Democrat Senedd Member to secure the passing of their Budget by agreeing to consider a ban on greyhound racing in Wales as if this was, in any way, something laudable. The significant criticism that this backroom deal received across the board demonstrates the folly of this kind of politics. 'Fringe agendas should be left for the Edinburgh Festival – not facilitated by the Scottish Parliament.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
