Dundee Liberal Democrats

Commenting, as Chief Constable Kevin Smith warns that police staff may bear the brunt of a potential £22 million annual VAT bill through the creation of the new Scottish national police force, Scottish Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said:

Alison McInnes MSP"This is yet another example of an important issue relating to the reorganisation of the police force that the Justice Secretary is failing to deal with.

"I would have thought the Scottish Government would have tried to iron some of these crucial matters before they set the date for the new force to begin operations.

"These proposals represent the biggest shake up of Scotland's policing for a generation and many questions still remain, not least on how staff will be affected.

"The Justice Secretary needs to reassure us that he is dealing with these vital issues."

Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for South Scotland and Transport Spokesperson, has this week called on the Scottish Government to provide iron cast assurances that the Borders rail project will not be delayed.

Jim Hume MSPMr Hume expressed anger at the uncertainty over the project's deadline following news this week that industry insiders have said that the project will never meet its December 2014 target.

Commenting, Mr Hume said:

"It's vitally important that there are no more question marks over the Borders railway line.

"The SNP have already wasted time and money in an abandoned procurement process before turning the project over to Network Rail.

"Even with a personal assurance from the First Minister only a few short months ago, there are still unanswered questions about the timescale of this important project for the Borders.

"The SNP must do the right thing and honour their commitment to deliver the project on time by December 2014."

Liberal Democrat Scottish Secretary Michael Moore says there is no good reason why the Scottish people should have to wait nearly three years to have their say on Scotland's future.‬ ‪

Michael Moore MPMr Moore today produced a referendum timetable that would meet all the legal and procedural requirements and still allow Scots to vote on independence in September 2013 - a full year earlier than the Scottish Government are currently proposing.‬

‪The Scottish Secretary said the 'go slow' approach of the Scottish Government is unnecessary and lacks public support.‬

‪In 2009 the Scottish Government's proposed legislating for and holding the referendum in less than a year. But Mr Moore said that now that there is a real prospect of the referendum taking place, they want to 'kick the referendum can down the road'. ‬

‪Commenting, Mr Moore said:‬

‪"No one has yet explained to me why the people of Scotland should have to wait nearly three years to make the most important decision we will ever make. It is not in the interests of the Scottish people to build up uncertainty and make them wait.‬

‪‬"The timetable I have produced today shows there is no good reason for the Scottish Government's go slow approach. We can follow all the proper procedures and parliamentary processes and still have a referendum in September 2013.‬ ‪'Recent polls have certainly indicated that people think we should get on with the referendum and hold it sooner than 2014. That certainly makes sense to me.‬

‪"The Scottish Government outlined plans in 2009 where they proposed consulting, drafting a Bill, legislating and holding a referendum all within 12 months. But now, for reasons of their own, they want to kick the referendum can down the road.‬

‪"The timetable the Scottish Government have set out has heel dragging built into it. There are months and months set aside for straight forward tasks. Their consultation finishes in May and they then propose taking the whole summer to analyse responses and then the rest of the year to amend their draft Bill accordingly. That could be done properly in a much shorter time frame.‬

‪"The Scotland Bill will see us transfer the largest ever package of financial powers to the Scottish Parliament over the next four years. Powers over borrowing, income tax and property tax will all transfer to Holyrood.‬

‪"Before we can move further powers to Edinburgh we need to know if Scotland is to remain part of the UK. That is entirely logical. We should settle the independence question as early as we can. ‬

‪"Both Governments should work through the issues we don't agree on and produce a referendum that is legal, fair and decisive. If we can negotiate a Section 30 Order to transfer the legal powers to Holyrood then we can give the people of Scotland their say in a referendum next year. That's a timetable made in the interest of people in Scotland, not politicians in parliaments."

Ryanair has announced that it will axe five routes operating from Edinburgh Airport, saying it is too expensive to operate out of the capital.

Mike Crockart MPThe budget airline currently runs 40 routes from Edinburgh but from April they are reducing traffic by 15% - a reduction of 300,000 passengers.

The routes being axed are Berlin, Malmo, Murcia, Ibiza and Tallinn.

Commenting on the announcement, Edinburgh's Liberal Democrat MP, Mike Crockart said:

"It is hugely disappointing that Ryanair has decided to cut five routes - two of which are currently operating with the remaining three due to commence this summer - from our capital's airport. This is bad news for tourism, business and of course passenger choice.

"I understand that negotiations between Edinburgh Airport and Ryanair were extensive but that common ground could not be found on some points. I think BAA Edinburgh is right to say that Ryanair has to operate on the same basis as its other carriers.

"There is no doubt that Ryanair's decision comes at an uncertain time for the airport as it tries to attract buyers; but I know that the airport has managed to reach mutually beneficial long term agreements with a number of other carriers to secures their future at Edinburgh's airport.

"Ryanair has warned that the cuts will have a knock-on effect of 300 job losses in the capital. I know that there is some dispute over this number and that the airport is seeking clarification on this. BAA employs 485 staff at Edinburgh Airport and Ryanair has given an assurance that none of its staff will be out of work. I am therefore unsure of where the figure of 300 has come from. Nevertheless, it is an anxious time for staff and I urge BAA Edinburgh and Ryanair to do all they can to prevent job losses.

"Michael O'Leary, Chief Executive of Ryan Air is in Parliament today to address the All Party Aviation Group. I plan to attend that meeting and speak to Mr O'Leary."

Liberal Democrat Education Spokesman, Liam McArthur MSP has responded to evidence given to Holyrood's Education and Culture Committee this morning by Professor Russel Griggs. Last month, Professor Griggs published his report to Scottish Ministers on the future governance of Scotland's colleges, in which he supported plans for widespread mergers across the sector.

Commenting on the evidence provided by Professor Griggs this morning, Mr McArthur said:

"Education Secretary, Mike Russell has demanded that colleges 'regionalise'. His adviser, Professor Griggs insists that wholesale mergers will be required to achieve this. The Griggs Report also states that the regional structure would allow "policy to be more nationally managed" and that a single Regional Board should be given "power and control" over funding.

"I know from speaking to college Principals across the UHI network of the concern that is felt about this approach to delivering further education in the Highlands & Islands. Alarms bells are ringing at the prospect of Inverness holding the purse strings and deciding how much to dispense to colleges across UHI.

"UHI is already a highly regionalised structure, covering a vast geographic area. In response to my questions, Professor Griggs acknowledged this fact by stating that UHI is 'unique'.

"However, he went on to say that his Group had not gone into detail on how his proposals might work in this region. Such candour is commendable but hardly likely to allay fears within the UHI network.

"It is absolutely clear that the Education Secretary is hell-bent on grabbing as much control as he can over Scotland's colleges. Today's evidence suggests that this is politically-driven rather than evidence-based".

Commenting on the statement from ACPOS that the single national police force is intended to begin operating from the 1st April 2013, Scottish Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said:

Alison McInnes MSP"It is truly astonishing that, before the Scottish Parliament has even begun its scrutiny of the proposals for a single national police force, ACPOS and the Scottish Government are already talking about the date when the new force will begin operations.

"This is yet another example of the SNP's blatant disregard for the Parliamentary process.

"These proposals represent the biggest shakeup of Scotland's policing for a generation, and there are still many question marks remaining - not least on how local policing will be protected and how many jobs will be affected.

"The Justice Secretary has a responsibility to our communities to ensure that all these concerns are all fully addressed well in advance of any plans for the new force to start work.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats have consistently argued against the creation of a single national police force. This move will be bad news for locally accountable, community policing.

"The Justice Secretary still needs to demonstrate how he expects to keep that accountability at the core of our forces.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats believe that policing is best when it is local - truly local. Our police are at their best when they are working with communities, for those communities.

"These flawed reforms risk doing irreparable damage to that work, and represent little more than a Ministerial power grab."

Scottish Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP has expressed concern at the rise in gastric bypass operations in Scotland.

Alison McInnes MSPAnswers to Parliamentary Questions submitted by Mrs McInnes have revealed that gastric bypass operations have risen significantly in Scotland in the past 4 year years, increasing by 30% in the last year alone.

Mrs McInnes believes that the Health Secretary needs to make it clear that gastric bypass operations should only be a last resort in the battle against the bulge.

Mrs McInnes wants the Scottish Government to be doing more to encourage people to adapt a healthier lifestyle.

Commenting Mrs McInnes MSP said:

"Scotland's battle with the bulge is well known, but going under the knife for fat-busting surgery should always be a last resort.

"If patients are assessed as needing this radical surgery then it should be available. But these operations are intrusive and have a long recovery period.

"We must do more to encourage people to adapt their lifestyles. Eating right and doing exercise remains the healthiest way to lose weight."

Commenting on unemployment figures out today, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP said:

Willie Rennie MSP"The higher growth of unemployment in Scotland compared with the rest of the UK emphasises the need for Scottish and UK Governments to work in partnership.

"Joint action to promote the £1billion UK youth contract to create jobs and training opportunities through subsidised wages is essential.

"Extra funds to help reverse the cuts to Scotland's colleges will also help.
"But I hope the SNP finally accept that their Plan MacB was a failure. They should accept that the UK Government is right to spend what we can to stimulate the economy without borrowing to a level that is unaffordable."

Commenting, as Scottish homelessness targets are released which show a 20% reduction in homeless applications compared to the same period last year, Scottish Liberal Democrat Housing spokesperson Jim Hume MSP said:

Jim Hume MSP"Homelessness still blights far too many lives in Scotland.

"While we welcome a 20% decrease in homeless applications, there is absolutely no room for complacency.

"Liberal Democrats are proud of our pivotal role in establishing the 2012 homelessness target. The Scottish Government must do all it can to meet this hugely important target by the end of this year.

"That's why Liberal Democrats argued for more funds to build homes for rent in the Scottish budget. To reach these homeless targets and the desperate need for more homes in Scotland, we will continue to press the Scottish Government on this.

"Scotland needs a housing sector that is built on protecting the most vulnerable."

Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore and the First Minister met for their first meeting to discuss the independence referendum to be held by the Scottish Government.

Michael Moore MPFollowing the meeting, Mr Moore described the talks as a "useful start" although he said there is "still some way to travel" before the UK and Scottish Governments can reach agreement on the detail of the referendum.

Mr Moore said officials from both governments would now discuss the option of using a Section 30 Order, approved by the UK and Scottish Parliaments, in order to put the referendum on a proper legal footing.
The Scottish Secretary said that there were important issues such as the timing of the referendum and the need for a single question on the ballot paper and the franchise where the two governments do not agree.

Following the meeting in Edinburgh, Michael Moore said:

"The talks were helpful and both sides are keen to sort out the referendum process as quickly as possible so that we can get on to the real debate on Scotland's future.

"Having said that, this is the most important decision Scotland will ever make so we need to ensure the referendum is legal, fair and decisive.

"There is no question that we still have some way to travel to reach agreement on some important aspects of the referendum. I am still not convinced that the people of Scotland should have to wait nearly three years to have their say on independence. It is a long time until autumn 2014 and I am yet to hear a good reason why we should have to wait so long.

"I also believe that an independence referendum should be a straight question on independence. Whether Scotland should be part of the UK is the issue we are dealing with. I want the people of Scotland to be asked a straight question, fairly and clearly, whether Scotland should be independent or remain part of the UK.

"The UK Government is also not persuaded that we should start changing the referendum rules to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote. Our view is that the electorate that elects the Scottish Parliament should be the same one that votes in the referendum.

"It is in everyone's interests that both of Scotland's governments work together to agree a referendum that is legal, fair and decisive. We need a process and outcome that is fair for all of Scotland and that is what we're committed to achieving.

"I am also urging Borderers to take part in the UK Government's consultation on the referendum to make their views heard and ensure this is a referendum made in Scotland, for the people of Scotland."