Paisley Liberal Democrats

Commenting after the Labour party debate on civilian police staff, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Alison McInnes said:

"Civilian staff play an absolutely vital role in supporting our police forces. The work they do - as intelligence analysts, custody officers and community wardens - allow our police officers to spend the maximum time possible out on the beat. They are key to the community-based, preventative policing model that we are currently blessed with in Scotland.

"But, the number of support staff employed by Scottish forces has already dropped alarmingly over recent years. We can ill-afford to lose the 2000 staff that look set to be among the first casualties of the SNP's damaging police reform bill.

"Rather than focusing on developing the best model for policing in Scotland, the Government's reforms are set to be a huge backwards step in the way our police work to keep our communities safe. By rushing ahead with creating a single national police force, while simultaneously demanding unrealistic savings be made, they are risking undoing all the good work our police forces have done over the past decade.

"The Scottish Liberal Democrats are well aware of the importance of civilian staff to our police, and so we are determined to continue to oppose the Government's damaging Police and Fire Reform Bill."

Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has secured a meeting with the Secretary of State for Energy to discuss UK funding for the Lerwick Port Authority's efforts to develop a deep water quay for oil and gas decommissioning work.

The UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has described LPA plans to construct a deep water quay at Dales Voe as 'an exciting proposal for Shetland, Scotland and the UK'.

Commenting, Mr Carmichael said:

"Dales Voe has many of the natural characteristics required to support decommissioning work and I have made the case for the expansion of existing facilities within government on a number of occasions.

"Now that the Dales Voe project is formally constituted I hope that the UK government can engage with it and help bring it to fruition. Having discussed the project with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change I know that he is impressed by it and keen to get the earliest and fullest possible briefing. I know that the best possible advocates for the project are the LPA themselves. I want them to sit down as soon as possible and make the case for government help to make it happen.

"The Northern Isles have historically played a critical role in the development of the oil and gas sector in the UK. This new development will see this close link with the industry preserved for years to come. This is a part of the oil and gas sector that is set to grow substantially as production in some areas of the North Sea declines.

"By some estimates, it could cost as much as £30 billion to ensure that the rigs now working in the North Sea are decommissioned safely and in a way that protects the environment. The new deep water quay will allow us to keep a slice of this money locally. The Dales Voe project would create hundreds of jobs and this could be a real good news story for Shetland, Scotland and the UK."

Commenting as Scottish Power announces the completion of successful initial testing of an underwater tidal turbine in Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrat Energy spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

"This is further proof of the impressive progress being made in marine renewables and hopefully a stepping stone to yet more success.

"It also illustrates the invaluable role that the test centre in Orkney is playing in enabling tidal energy developers to put their devices through rigorous testing in the most challenging of environments.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats believe that this country can lead a renewables revolution, creating jobs and wealth in the process. To do this, Orkney and the other island groups must play their full part and for that to happen we need to see the necessary grid investment and changes to the transmission charging regime.

"Scottish Power Renewables and their partners are just the latest to prove what is being achieved by this sector. I congratulate all those involved and look forward to hearing of further success in the future."

Corstorphine and Murrayfield councillor Paul Edie has been elected to lead Edinburgh City Council's Liberal Democrat group.

Cllr Edie has previously been praised for his work as the Convenor of Health, Social Care and Housing under the previous Lib Dem led administration.

Commenting, Cllr Edie said:

"I am delighted to be leading the Liberal Democrats on the City council. I am proud to be adding to the Capital's strong Liberal tradition.

"Edinburgh needs strong liberal voices especially as we are facing an emboldened administration with a large majority.

"Over the last five years, Liberal Democrat policies on this council have cut homelessness by 16%, crime by 24% and we built the first council housing in a generation.

"We opened libraries when Labour councils elsewhere were closing them and we reformed care services ensuring that people who needed care got it.

"We have much to be proud of during our time in power and I will be doing all I can to protect those achievements against centralising and cutting agenda of the other parties."

George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, has written to Richard Lochhead urging him to recognise the need to update the Pack Inquiry into how financial support can be tailored to Scottish farmers.

The Pack Inquiry findings were published before the European Commission published its proposals on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and, although the Pack Inquiry helped to guide the Commission's report, there is a need to look into how the new proposals can work in Scotland.

Commenting, Mr Lyon said:

"The debate over the reform of the CAP is moving rapidly and it is vital that we keep on top of recent developments in Scotland.

"The Pack Inquiry was timely in that it helped to steer some of the Commission's thinking over its findings that were published late last year.

"But the debate has moved on, and Pack must move on with it.

"There is an urgent need for a piece of work to be carried out to update the original Pack report to take account of the detail that we now know about. For example, we now know the details of how the flattening of payments will take place, there is also the new LFA top up we have to look at.

"The industry needs to know how these proposals might work at a practicable level in Scotland. We need a sequel to the Pack Inquiry."

Commenting as recent unemployment figures show a drop in unemployment, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Willie Rennie said:

"The drop in unemployment is welcomed, but it also indicates that more needs to be done.

"The Youth Contract will go some way to provide jobs for young people in Scotland.

"It is important that both Scotland's governments work together on a wide range of initiatives to tackle unemployment on all fronts."

Commenting on figures published in a Yougov/Quarriers survey today show 51 per cent of current and potential foster carers would foster a child with a mobility disability, Scottish Liberal Democrats spokesperson for young people Liam McArthur MSP said:

"Foster carers contribute hugely to our society, providing love and support for some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our community.

"These figures reinforce the need to encourage more people to put themselves forward as foster carers, a key theme of the upcoming Foster Care fortnight. However, they emphasise the particular difficulties faced by children needing such support who also have a disability.

"These are points I have raised with Ministers during previous parliamentary debates on meeting the needs of our looked after children. I hope Ministers will use this year's campaign to re-double their efforts to secure an increase in overall numbers of those willing to foster. As well as raising awareness, this will require better support and reducing the burdens on foster carers.

"There must also be a renewed focus, however, in ensuring the needs of those with disabilities are better met".

Commenting on the Scottish Government's response to the referendum consultation, which proposes that the Electoral commission will test the ballot paper, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Willie Rennie said:

"This is nothing new other than a desperate attempt by Alex Salmond to look reasonable whilst not changing his position one iota.

"Alex Salmond had previously conceded that the Electoral Commission would have a role in testing the question for the referendum so today's apparent concession is no concession at all.

"I agree with the Scottish Affairs Select Committee that all parties should be involved in setting the question to avoid any accusations of rigging.

"If Alex Salmond is serious about have a fair, legal and decisive referendum he should seek cross party support rather than determining everything himself."

Commenting on the independent review into the management culture of NHS Lothian, Scottish Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Alison McInnes said:

"It is sad that we are still reading reports which identify a culture of workplace bullying within the NHS.

"Various government-endorsed policies such at Dignity at Work have gone some way to combat this horrifying culture, but it is clear that more needs to be done.

"Dr Winstanley and NHS Lothian will have to work hard to remedy the issues identified in this report. Every person deserves to feel appreciated, happy and free from bullying in their workplace."