Mark has written to Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish Government Health minister, asking her to intervene in the refuse dispute in Edinburgh because of the public health implications. He has also written to Jenny Dawe, the LibDem leader of the City Council, urging her to take more effective action to bring about an early and fair settlement of the dispute.

Mark said:
"The problem with uncollected rubbish is now becoming extremely serious throughout the city, and is particularly severe in densely populated areas such as many in the area I represent.
"We need to see a resolution fast, and the SNP government must now intervene to solve this problem as Edinburgh council appear incapable of doing so."