BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats

Scottish Liberal Democrat Education Spokesman, Liam McArthur MSP has criticised the Education Secretary, Michael Russell for appearing to 'throw in the towel' in the fight to reverse the deep cuts to Scottish college budgets.

Liam McArthur MSPAt Education Questions in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, Mr Russell confirmed to Mr McArthur that he felt the current £40m cut represented a 'full, fair and final settlement' for the colleges.

Speaking after the exchange, Mr McArthur said:

"Since the Scottish Government published its draft budget last September, the amount it has to spend has increased by around £750m, according to figures produced by the Scottish Parliament's Financial Scrutiny Unit. During yesterday's debate on the Budget Bill, however, the Finance Secretary, John Swinney refused to reveal how those funds would be spent.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats believe some of these additional resources should be used to reverse the deep and damaging cuts the SNP are making to the budgets of Scotland's colleges. It was not unreasonable to expect the Education Secretary to be equally keen on making such a case to Mr Swinney.

"Astonishingly, he appears to have thrown in the towel and believes the £40m cut is a 'full, fair and final settlement', despite the fact that the Budget Bill will not be finally agreed for another month.

"Mr Russell appears more keen to attack anyone who disagrees with him than defend Scotland's colleges and students. This will not have gone unnoticed on campuses across the country".

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP challenged the First Minister today on what he is doing with the extra £400 million available from the UK Government. The Scottish Government received this extra money after they published the draft Budget Bill in September.

Willie Rennie MSPMr Rennie urged the First Minister to use some of this extra money to stop his £40 million cut to college budgets in Scotland.

Commenting after First Minister's Questions, Mr Rennie said:

"The Scottish Government has an extra £400 million available for the Scottish Budget than when they published their draft budget plans in September.

"The First Minister's cut to colleges is £40 million but he has now got more than ten times that available.

"Given that there have been 63,000 emails from college students to MSPs, and that NUS Scotland have told him that his college cuts will hit "the poorest people in some of the poorest communities", I can't understand why he is being so stubborn.

"Instead of independence dominating his Government's agenda, the First Minister needs to make increasing employment opportunities for young people, his top priority.

"The First Minister needs to do the right thing for colleges and reverse this cut."

Mike Crockart MP for Edinburgh West will today take part in a debate on the progress of defence reform and the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Mike Crockart MPSince Dr Liam Fox, then Secretary of State for Defence, announced the closure of Edinburgh's historic army estate, Mr Crockart has argued the case for Craigiehall in his constituency as well as the City's Redford and Dreghorn barracks.

Commenting ahead of today's debate, the Edinburgh West MP said:

"I have been running a campaign calling on the MOD to re-think their proposals. I made the case for a future for Craigiehall to the Secretary of State for Scotland in November and I hope to be able to speak today to restate that call.

"I have asked over 80 Parliamentary Questions but there are still no real answers to many of the fundamental financial questions. It puts the financial case for the sell-off and move to a 'superbarracks' on a very shoogily peg.

"I think that the capacity review currently underway will reveal that many aspects of the present proposals are simply undeliverable.

"The closure of the Craigiehall HQ would have a significant impact on civilians currently employed there. 103 civilian roles would be lost in Edinburgh West in addition to a loss of 89 military jobs; and with these cuts the loss of very experienced and skilled staff.

"I believe that there are clear efficiency savings to be made in co-locating headquarters at Craigiehall. Not only would this work at a command and cost level but it would also save the experience and skill of those at Craigiehall.

"I urge the MOD to think again. You can join my campaign for the future of Craigiehall on my website at www.mikecrockartmp.com."

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney, Liam McArthur spoke today on behalf of the Scottish Liberal Democrats during the Scottish Parliament Budget debate.

Commenting afterwards, Mr McArthur said:

"The Scottish Government has significant additional funds at its disposal since the draft Budget was published last September. This is the result of 'consequentials' from decisions taken by the UK Government. Sadly, the Budget Bill published last week provides no detail on how these resources will be spent.

"For colleges, facing the threat of significant cuts and wholesale mergers, this lack of detail is creating further difficulties. From my meetings with Orkney College, and discussions with students and staff, I know all too well the problems the cuts and continued uncertainty are creating in terms of planning ahead.

"On affordable housing too, SNP Ministers now have funds available that will help deliver the commitment to 6000 new homes for rent each year. The absence of any detail on this issue too, is regrettable, as there has been growing anger at the backtracking by Ministers over recent months.

"Meanwhile, the decision by the Transport Minister to remove work-related travel from the Air Discount Scheme is one that should now be reversed. Attempts to blame Brussels fool no-one and this damaging cut to our islands' lifeline air services is causing serious problems for local businesses, charities, voluntary groups and the public sector.

"In all these areas, more detail and a re-think are long overdue."

Commenting after the First Minister's statement to the Scottish Parliament on the independence referendum, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP said:

"We'll see much pomp and ceremony at Edinburgh Castle this afternoon but still few answers about independence.

"It's more Shakespeare than Burns - 'much ado about nothing'.

"Whilst independence dominates the work of his government, our country is gripped by unemployment and rising costs.

"I, as a Liberal Democrat, want Home Rule within the UK family, sharing the risks and rewards in a turbulent world.

"But the First Minister must be clear. Can he guarantee that if Devo Max got 99% of the vote, his Government would honour the democratic wishes of the Scottish people?

"This issue has not been addressed in his consultation document."

Commenting on the use of the Great Hall in Edinburgh Castle for Alex Salmond's launch, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP said:

Willie Rennie MSP"As well as costing the taxpayer a fortune this sends all the wrong messages.

"Things seem to have gone to the First Minister's head. To use Scotland's national monument for party political ends will just jar with people.

"It's Burns' Night as well. Many people will look at the words of A Man's A Man, and think that Alex Salmond's 'tinsel show' at the castle looks out of touch."

Sir Robert Smith, Liberal Democrat MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, yesterday sought confirmation from the Treasury that constructive talks were continuing between the Government and the Oil and Gas Industry about taxation of the industry and that lessons had been learnt after last year's damaging rise in taxation.

Sir Robert Smith MPSpeaking in the House of Commons, Sir Robert, asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Chloe Smith MP, what lessons the Government had learnt from speaking to Industry. He was assured by the Minister that talks were continuing with the Industry and the Government wants to understand the challenges facing the industry.

Sir Robert said: -
"I am encouraged that the Government is now engaging with the Industry. Following on from last year's ill conceived increase in taxation on the Oil and Gas Industry, it is important that the Government now acts to restore faith. With the recent publication of a report that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is one of the areas contributing most to the UK economy, it is essential that the Government now acts to ensure that companies are able to continue to invest in the region."

Sir Robert has repeatedly spoken out on the need for Government to re-engage with the Oil and Gas Industry and has met with Government ministers to explain the importance of establishing a tax regime that will allow the Industry to flourish, in the process creating even more jobs and attracting even more investment in Aberdeen, in Scotland and across the UK.