Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone has set out changes to the Green Party’s
allocation of questions at First Minister’s Question Time.
The
move follows the Green Party’s co-operation agreement with the SNP and the
imminent appointment of two new Ministers from within the party’s ranks.
The
ruling means the Green Party will no longer be entitled to a leader’s question at FMQs. The presiding officer also says she will no longer automatically call the party to speak at the start and close
of debates.
The
party’s short money
– public funds paid to political parties to assist MSPs perform their
parliamentary duties – will also be reduced by £15,687.61 on account of two members becoming ministers.
In
a message to all MSPs this afternoon, the presiding officer said she hoped all members would agree the changes
“recognise” the nature of
the co-operation agreement and would be fair for all parties across the chamber.
Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater: Who are the new Green ministers?
Scottish Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater are to become the first Green politicians to enter government in the UK as part of their party's power-sharing deal with the SNP.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has appointed Mr Harvie to a role focused on low-carbon housing, while Ms Slater is to work on green jobs.
Who are the Green MSPs, and what will their roles be in the Scottish government?
The co-leaders of the Scottish Greens have been given junior ministerial roles in Nicola Sturgeon's government under the SNP-Green power-sharing deal.
Patrick Harvie will focus on zero carbon buildings and active travel, while Lorna Slater will be minister for green skills and the circular economy.
The first minister said it was right to "put politics aside to tackle the challenges in front of us decisively".
The appointments will be formally approved by a vote of MSPs on Tuesday.
The Conservatives have said they will vote against the move, calling it a "nationalist gamble", but the SNP and Greens have a comfortable majority between them in the Holyrood chamber.
Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater will now both join Nicola Sturgeon's governmentImage caption: Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater will now both join Nicola Sturgeon's government
The deal is sealed.
SNP members, Green members and the Green party's national council have all emphatically endorsed the power-sharing deal between the two parties.
That means Greens will now enter national government for the first time anywhere in the UK, with Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater becoming ministers.
The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon is expected to formally appoint them to her team next week when Holyrood returns from the summer break.
Their appointment is subject to the approval of MSPs but the result of that and most other Holyrood votes is now a foregone conclusion.
Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater are set to become Scottish government ministersImage caption: Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater are set to become Scottish government ministers
Members of the Scottish Greens have backed a deal that will see its leaders in government for the first time.
With some proxy votes still to be counted, 83% of members who took part in an extraordinary general meeting were in favour.
The deal, which required a two-thirds majority of the party's National Council, was then formally ratified.
Co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater said it promoted "a sustainable Scotland that works for everyone".
Patrick Harvie (left) and Lorna Slater (right) are joining the government of Nicola Sturgeon (centre)Image caption: Patrick Harvie (left) and Lorna Slater (right) are joining the government of Nicola Sturgeon (centre)
Good afternoon and welcome to BBC Scotland's live coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 31 August.
MSPs will be asked to endorse the appointment of two Scottish Green Party government ministers when they return from their summer recess.
The first minister has confirmed that Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater are to be given climate-focussed roles in her government.
The SNP and Greens have a combined majority, so the appointments will be approved -- despite opposition from the Scottish Conservatives who say the Greens are "anti-jobs, anti-business extremists".
Live Reporting
BBC Scotland News
All times stated are UK
'Landmark' for the UK but 'unremarkable' in Europe
Ms Sturgeon highlights that this is the first time that Green members have joined a national government as ministers in the UK.
She calls this an "important landmark for politics" in the UK - but adds it would not be seen as "any way remarkable" in other parts of Europe.
The FM hopes this agreement will provide a foundation for "bold and decisive action" across the life of the Scottish Parliament.
'Climate and nature emergency' says Sturgeon
Ms Sturgeon tells parliament the "climate and nature emergency" must be addressed urgently.
The first minister calls Brexit a "disaster" and insists the Scottish parliament must have the full powers it needs.
The best way to do that is to make this parliament independent from Westminster, she says.
"That is why fulfilling our democratic mandate to let the Scottish people choose our own future is a key strand of this agreement," Ms Sturgeon says.
'Clapping and also groans'
First Minister begins her statement
The first minster begins her statement on the SNP's co-operation agreement with the Greens.
Nicola Sturgeon says both parties' memberships have resoundingly endorsed the deal and it is "groundbreaking".
The first minister insists it represents a new and better way of politics, describing it as a "leap of faith" for both parties.
Presiding officer sets out changes following deal
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone has set out changes to the Green Party’s allocation of questions at First Minister’s Question Time.
The move follows the Green Party’s co-operation agreement with the SNP and the imminent appointment of two new Ministers from within the party’s ranks.
The ruling means the Green Party will no longer be entitled to a leader’s question at FMQs. The presiding officer also says she will no longer automatically call the party to speak at the start and close of debates.
The party’s short money – public funds paid to political parties to assist MSPs perform their parliamentary duties – will also be reduced by £15,687.61 on account of two members becoming ministers.
In a message to all MSPs this afternoon, the presiding officer said she hoped all members would agree the changes “recognise” the nature of the co-operation agreement and would be fair for all parties across the chamber.
Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater: Who are the new Green ministers?
Scottish Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater are to become the first Green politicians to enter government in the UK as part of their party's power-sharing deal with the SNP.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has appointed Mr Harvie to a role focused on low-carbon housing, while Ms Slater is to work on green jobs.
Who are the Green MSPs, and what will their roles be in the Scottish government?
Click here to find out.
Scottish Green co-leaders given ministerial roles
The co-leaders of the Scottish Greens have been given junior ministerial roles in Nicola Sturgeon's government under the SNP-Green power-sharing deal.
Patrick Harvie will focus on zero carbon buildings and active travel, while Lorna Slater will be minister for green skills and the circular economy.
The first minister said it was right to "put politics aside to tackle the challenges in front of us decisively".
The appointments will be formally approved by a vote of MSPs on Tuesday.
The Conservatives have said they will vote against the move, calling it a "nationalist gamble", but the SNP and Greens have a comfortable majority between them in the Holyrood chamber.
Topical questions - MSPs ask questions on education and Afghanistan
The first minister will now deliver her statement on the deal between the Scottish Greens and the SNP shortly.
First though we have topical questions on the need to prioritise in-person classroom-based learning during the pandemic and Afghanistan.
You can watch topical questions here.
The deal is done - so what lies ahead?
The deal is sealed.
SNP members, Green members and the Green party's national council have all emphatically endorsed the power-sharing deal between the two parties.
That means Greens will now enter national government for the first time anywhere in the UK, with Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater becoming ministers.
The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon is expected to formally appoint them to her team next week when Holyrood returns from the summer break.
Their appointment is subject to the approval of MSPs but the result of that and most other Holyrood votes is now a foregone conclusion.
Read more here.
Scottish Greens back historic government deal
Members of the Scottish Greens have backed a deal that will see its leaders in government for the first time.
With some proxy votes still to be counted, 83% of members who took part in an extraordinary general meeting were in favour.
The deal, which required a two-thirds majority of the party's National Council, was then formally ratified.
Co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater said it promoted "a sustainable Scotland that works for everyone".
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to BBC Scotland's live coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 31 August.
MSPs will be asked to endorse the appointment of two Scottish Green Party government ministers when they return from their summer recess.
The first minister has confirmed that Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater are to be given climate-focussed roles in her government.
The SNP and Greens have a combined majority, so the appointments will be approved -- despite opposition from the Scottish Conservatives who say the Greens are "anti-jobs, anti-business extremists".