Dundee Liberal Democrats - www.dundeelibdems.scot

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP today said patients were feeling the impact of the GP crisis, after a new survey showed a 7% fall in how people rate the care from their GP practice since 2009/10.

The Health and Care Experience Survey 2017/18 surveyed 130,000 patients. It found 83% rated the overall care provided by their GP practice positively, down 2% compared to 2015/16 and 7% lower than in 2009/10.

In the face of further defeats on the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, and following further pressure from Peers across the House of Lords, the government has brought forward amendments to ensure that the UK still has the ability to refer to and apply EU guidance for legal matters in our courts going forwards.

Liberal Democrats have voted with a majority of cross-party Peers in the House of Lords to inflict another defeat on the government.

An amendment to retain the Charter of Fundamental Rights in UK law was successfully moved and is the third defeat for the government in the EU (Withdrawal) Bill in the House of Lords at Report Stage.

The Charter of Fundamental Rights has been a key component of EU law since 2000 and has set the bar on civil, political, social and economic rights.

The UK's continued use of this piece of legislation shows the rest of the world that we are still committed to the highest standards on human rights and the principles of the Charter going forward.

Liberal Democrat Scottish Affairs spokesperson and Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine will today lead a Westminster Hall debate on the effect of the UK leaving the EU on tourism and the creative industries.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Ms Jardine said:

"Tourism and the creative industries are two of the lynchpins of our economy. We cannot allow them to be sacrificed on the altar of Conservative party self-interest.

The Liberal Democrat Conference has today voted in favour of exploring opportunities to set up shared banking hubs in smaller communities so that people in remote and rural areas can preserve previous access to face-to-face financial services.

RBS has capitalised on the support of the tax payer and must take a more community-orientated approach.

The Scottish Liberal Democrat conference has today backed plans to revamp the immigration system, by making it more welcoming and accessible, and to force the UK Government to explicitly recognise the value of EU workers to British businesses, public services and culture.

Among the proposals, the conference demanded

The Scottish Liberal Democrat conference has today endorsed plans to tighten licensing for puppy sales and crack down on puppy farming. Sales of puppies from illegal factories in Scotland are estimated to have topped £13m last year.

Proposals for the Scottish Government include:

• Banning third party sales of dogs
• Banning the sale of dogs under 8 weeks old
• Introducing new licences to cover the sale of pets
• Increasing maximum penalties for animal cruelty