Dundee Liberal Democrats - www.dundeelibdems.scot

Responding to the letter from Cabinet Secretary Mike Russell to MSPs laying out the Scottish Government's opposition to the "Great Repeal Bill", Scottish Liberal Democrat business manager Mike Rumbles MSP said:

"This bill represents a huge executive power grab by Theresa May and her extreme Brexiteers.

Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader Alistair Carmichael MP has today accused the SNP of being "all talk and no action" after research by the Scottish Liberal Democrats revealed that a year on, the Government's flagship Scottish Growth Scheme has not paid out any money to businesses because necessary changes to parliamentary procedures have still not been brought forward.

Scottish Liberal Democrat social security spokesperson Caron Lindsay has today demanded that the Government change direction on the so-called 'rape clause' after a motion approved by the British Medical Association described the policy as an "abhorrent attack on low income families and children."

The BMA today agreed a motion "highlighting the terrible ordeal that women are being expected to relive in order to be eligible to receive support for a third child" and stating their support for any doctor who chooses not to participate in the assessment process of exemptions.

Responding to the introduction of the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, commonly known as the "Great Repeal Bill", Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader Alistair Carmichael MP said:

"This bill already has all the hallmarks of another Theresa May disaster. This Government's executive power grab and support for the most extreme interpretation of Brexit throws in our faces any pretence of being her being constructive and collaborative.

The Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR) has warned that even a small hit to productivity caused by Brexit could cause a £97bn hit to the UK economy in the long-term, reducing tax receipts by £36 billion.

The OBR report also describes future tax receipts as being "particularly vulnerable" to the impact of Brexit on the financial sector, which could face up to 60,000 job losses.

One month on from this tragedy, there is no less pain for the victims and their families, no less fear, and no less anger over the failings of the political system.

The disaster at Grenfell Tower has left a huge scar, not just in the local community of Kensington, but across Britain. It has moved people deeply, whether they have local connections or not, and that has been reflected in the generosity shown by public donations. It has also exposed deep divisions and inequalities in our society which we have ignored for far too long. This disaster should have been avoided. How is it possible that, in a very wealthy borough like Kensington and Chelsea, dozens of people can burn to death in their own homes?

Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader Alistair Carmichael MP has today pressed the First Minister to use a meeting with EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier tomorrow to push for an acknowledgment that Article 50 is revocable and support calls to give the British people the final say on whatever deal Theresa May negotiates with the EU.

Scottish Liberal Democrat social security spokesperson Caron Lindsay has today warned that the severe problems faced by homeless people are a "damning indictment of both of Scotland's governments" after a new report highlighted the scale of difficulties homeless people face in accessing essential care and services.