Dundee Liberal Democrats - www.dundeelibdems.scot

Unpaid carers are doing a remarkable and important job in very difficult circumstances. They deserve our support.

But many carers are facing extreme financial hardship.

900,000 full-time unpaid carers rely on Carer's Allowance - but at just £67.25 a week, it's just not nearly enough.

Carer's Allowance is just £67 a week. It's just not nearly enough.

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP has called for a "reality check" in Scottish Government thinking about the mental health crisis, as Police Scotland issue a stark warning about their capacity to deal with demand heading into this winter.

During today's SPA Board meeting, DCC Will Kerr responded to questions about the likely demand over the coming months. He said that already, the "level of demand has outstripped capacity and [Police Scotland's] professional ability to deal with it."

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today called for red tape to be slashed from the £30m funding package for Scottish businesses in urgent need of covid support. The party warned that councils are struggling to administer the support schemes due to the ultra-short timescale rushed through by the Scottish Government. With no time to recruit additional personnel councils are having to divert key staff from other business development support to process and check applications.

Countless families are facing serious financial hardship. More than a million people have lost their jobs and the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic will continue to be felt throughout the next year.

We are also facing serious challenges in deep-seated inequality and the climate emergency.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie has today questioned the Scottish Government's crumbling promises after a joint announcement from the Scottish and UK Governments that they were providing no further financial support for engineering firm.

Last month, a deal for BiFab to manufacture eight wind turbine jackets at its yards in Methil, Fife collapsed.

With the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the Chancellor needed to ensure today that no one is left behind. That was the litmus test, and he has failed

In a year when our NHS and care staff, teachers, police officers and many others have gone beyond the call of duty, a pay freeze reveals just how callous the Chancellor truly is.

Speaking after the Scottish Parliament passed the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Liberal Democrat equalities spokesperson Caron Lindsay commented:

"Liberal Democrats are delighted to lend their wholehearted support to this bill.

"Period poverty has no place in the 21st century. Nobody should be left in the distressing position that they are without the period products they need.

Roderick Lynch - Chair of Lib Dem Campaign for Race Equality

The death of George Floyd has put race and racism firmly on the political agenda. Black Lives really do matter, or do they?

Whilst people are grieving on the streets, the authorities were working behind the scenes to use legislation to curtail their protesting. Corporate companies and local governments have jumped on board the Black Lives Bandwagon with slogans and statements, however, we need to see deeds not words.