Aberdeenshire West Liberal Democrats

Scottish Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP has urged the Education Secretary not to be the last man standing defending the SNP's college cut.

Liam McArthur MSPMr McArthur has urged Mike Russell to join those calling on the Finance Secretary John Swinney to reverse the cuts in his final budget bill tomorrow.

Commenting Mr McArthur said:

"The Education Secretary risks being the last, lonely voice defending the SNP Government's savage cuts to the budgets of Scotland's colleges.

"This is a ludicrous situation which has seriously undermined the Minister's credibility within the college sector, particularly with students and staff.

"At a time when Scotland's unemployment rate is rising faster the elsewhere in the UK, and youth unemployment is seen as a priority, this attack by the SNP on colleges defies logic. Colleges help people of all ages, in all parts of the country to get up and get on.

"It's time for Mr Russell to recognise this, put his pride to one side and join the calls on Mr Swinney to reverse these cuts using the additional sums made available by Westminster."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP has labelled Donald Trump's attack on plans to build offshore wind turbines in the vicinity of his golf course, as hysterical.

Willie Rennie MSPMr Rennie's comments are in response to a letter written to Struan Stevenson MEP by Mr Trump, congratulating Mr Stevenson on his anti-renewable stance.

Mr Trump says in his letter that: "These hideous and noisy structures will visually destroy the coast and seriously impact the quality of life for local residents.

Mr Trump goes on to say: "This ugly and destructive facility and others like it must be moved or Scotland will soon witness the total devastation of its tourism industry and become the laughing stock of the world."

In light of these comments, Mr Rennie has urged Mr Trump to show a little more respect for Scotland and its climate change responsibility.

Commenting Mr Rennie MSP said:

"Donald Trump's hysterical attack exaggerates the impact of the offshore turbines on his golf course. Mr Trump has the right to be heard but no more or less than anyone else with an interest in this application.

"Renewable resources are a critical part of the answer to our energy challenge and tackling climate change. Liberal Democrats fully support Scottish efforts to meet that challenge.

"Mr Trump should show a little more respect for Scotland. Calling it a laughing stock of the world says more about him than it does about Scotland."

Scottish Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Jim Hume MSP has said that more needs to be done to encourage local authorities to invest in 'green' vehicles.

Jim Hume MSPFigures obtained through Freedom of Information requests by the Liberal Democrats reveal that only 1% of the total number of vehicles procured by local authorities in Scotland are either electric or hybrid cars.

Mr Hume has said that while it is welcome that most local authorities are now investing in electric or hybrid cars, there needs to be a significant improvement if Scotland is to meet its ambitious climate change targets.

The technology for electric or hybrid cars is improving and the cost of electric vehicles has dropped significantly. Mr Hume would like to see more councils investing in this type of exciting new technology.

Commenting, Mr Hume said:

"While we have seen some progress in recent years in the procurement of green vehicles by local authorities, much more still needs to be done.

"Scotland has set some extremely ambitious climate change targets and experts warned this week that more needs to be done if we are to meet them.

"Local authorities have their part to play in this and switching to greener cars is a step forward. Every part of Scotland needs to be doing its bit.

"The technology for electric or hybrid cars is improving all the time and the cost of electric vehicles has dropped significantly. Councils should be investing in this type of technology whenever possible.

"We need to see Scotland's local authorities doing their bit to drive forward Scotland's climate change targets."

Speaking following the debate on Prison Visiting Committees in the Scottish Parliament today, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said:

Alison McInnes MSP"Today's debate highlighted the serious flaws in the Government's proposals to abolish Prison Visiting Committees.

"More than simply being an independent voice for prisoners, the Committees play a far greater role in ensuring that standards in our prison estate are maintained. Yet the Cabinet Secretary refuses to acknowledge this.

"The fact that Prison Visiting Committees can make frequent and unannounced visits to prisons is a vital check for ensuring that prisons are well run. That, along with the fact that they provide a local, totally independent voice, is a prime reason why the system has endured so successfully.

"Expert opinion universally recognises the vital role that Prison Visiting Committees play within our justice system - a role they carry out at a fraction of the cost of the Government's proposed advocacy service. The Cabinet Secretary must now listen to those experts, see sense and drop these badly considered proposals."

Following John Swinney's comments on an independent Scotland's future currency, Scottish Liberal Democrat President and former Treasury spokesman, Malcolm Bruce MP said:

Malcolm Bruce MP"In his attempt to shed light over the Scottish Government's plans for an independent Scotland's future currency, John Swinney has inevitably raised more questions and with it concern.

"By rejecting the Euro in the mid- to- long term, Mr Swinney does not acknowledge that adopting the Euro may well be condition set in return for Scotland's EU membership.

"In opting for Sterling, he states that he would enter into a 'dialogue' with the Bank of England about his spending plans before asserting that no conditions will be attached, which is frankly absurd.

"The truth is that by acknowledging that the Bank of England would act as a bank of last resort, the Scottish Government would have no choice but to accept the conditions of the Bank. Is this anyone's idea of true independence?"

"The reality is that independence is a complicated and protracted process in which the Scottish Government will have little or no control on the details that will determine it."

Commenting after the colleges debate in the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

Liam McArthur MSP"There is a real risk that the Education Secretary will be the last person left defending the deep cuts to the budget of Scotland's colleges.

"Again today, rather than acknowledge the widespread concerns of students, staff and colleges on the impact these damaging cuts will have, Mr Russell resorted to attacking his opponents for even bringing the issue to Parliament.

"Yesterday the First Minister emphasised the priority he attaches to tackling youth unemployment, a fight in which Scotland's colleges have a key role to play. Last week, the Finance Secretary invited the other parties in parliament to discuss how the government's Budget might be improved.

"It seems the only person unwilling to accept and argue the case for an improved funding settlement for our colleges is the Education Secretary.

"This is a remarkable position for him to take and suggests that Mr Russell's pride is blinding him to what needs to be done for our colleges.

"Scotland's colleges improve the life chances of thousands of people, of all ages in all parts of the country.

"Colleges provide students with the skills they need to get up and get on and they deserve a much fairer deal from the Scottish Government's Budget."

Commenting after the Education Secretary gave a statement on Higher and Further Education Governance, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for the North East, Alison McInnes said:

Alison McInnes MSP"Obviously Michael Russell thinks he knows better than College Principals on how to run their colleges.

"Colleges are being put under central diktat as the Scottish Government tries to grab all the power to the centre. First it was our local police forces, now we are seeing it with our colleges.

"I am particularly concerned by the proposals to siphon off what are judged to be excess college reserves. In many cases colleges will have carefully built up their reserves as part of plans to undertake particular local projects or improvements.

"The Cabinet Secretary denied that this proposal was on the table but the report from Professor Griggs couldn't be clearer. Either Mr Russell has not read this report or he is trying to pull the wool over our eyes.

"Colleges are already facing budget cuts thanks to SNP choices and now they face having most of their reserves taken away and used by central Government.

"Instead of shouting down anyone who dares challenge him, the Education Secretary needs to come clean and tell colleges what the SNP's plans will actually mean for their budgets and reserves."

Commenting as the First Minster tells a summit that youth employment is his top priority, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP said:

Willie Rennie MSP"If youth employment was a top priority for the First Minister then he would have already reversed his cuts to Scotland's colleges with the extra money available from Westminster.

"Colleges are vital for helping people get up and get on especially in the current financial climate. These cuts will mean fewer college places.

"To maximise youth employment in Scotland, the First Minister should also swallow his pride and work closely with the UK Government to promote the Youth Contract.

"The Youth Contract can benefit 16,000 young people in Scotland, helping them gain skills and employment. By promoting this, the Scottish Government can do something positive for young people.

"Promoting the Youth Contract and reversing the cut to colleges should be the top two priorities for the Scottish Government if it is serious about tackling youth unemployment."

Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for South Scotland and Spokesperson for Rural Affairs, is encouraging the farming sector to respond to the Scottish Government's consultation on the European Commission's proposals for the future of CAP.

Jim Hume MSPCommenting as the consultation was launched today, Mr Hume said:

"It's vital that every section of the Scottish farming sector engages with the Scottish Government on this issue.

"All alterations of CAP ultimately will result in re-distribution, so the EU must bear this in mind in their deliberations and ensure that there is a transition period to allow businesses time to change.

"As part of that, if we do not have an agreed CAP for the end of the current arrangement in 2014, then a bridging mechanism must be in place to ensure a smooth transition between any gap in funding.

"At the moment transition could potentially be used until 2019 - five years after proposed new CAP - but if the new CAP is late by a year or two, then enough flexibility should be installed so that the 2019 date is continued further into the future to allow five years of transition at least.

"CAP must work for Scottish farmers."

Commenting on revised research on the benefits of setting a minimum alcohol price, Scottish Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said:

Alison McInnes MSP"Far too many communities in Scotland continue to be blighted by alcohol abuse. We need decisive action to tackle this and minimum pricing is a step in the right direction.

"Cutting the number of alcohol related deaths and illnesses in Scotland is something we should all be striving for.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats have already signalled their support for minimum alcohol pricing and we will work constructively with Ministers to take steps to rid Scotland of the scourge of alcohol abuse.

"Minimum pricing is by no means the silver bullet but it is a positive and confident step towards changing the culture of drinking to excess in Scotland."