BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats today announce plans to tackle discrimination in the workplace by expanding reporting requirements on large companies, as well as scrapping the gender price gap on all products.

Today is 'Equal Pay Day' - the point in the year when UK women stop earning relative to men. Women across the UK also continue to have to fork out an of average 37% more than men for a wide range of every-day products simply because they are marketed towards women, otherwise known as the 'pink tax'.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie had today used a visit to Lauriston nursery in Dunfermline to announce his party's plans for delivering a massive expansion of free, high-quality childcare.

The offer will give every child 35 hours a week of care 48 weeks a year from 9 months old to when they start school. Under a Liberal Democrat Government, Scotland will receive at least £1.2 billion every year for this to enable the Scottish Parliament to offer free, high-quality childcare for every child from when their parents go back to work.

Responding to new analysis by the Fraser of Allander Institute into Scotland's budget blackhole, Scottish Liberal Democrat general election chair Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

"The Scottish Government has been criticied by the Fraser of Allander Institute and the Auditor General for Scotland for a lack of detail on what they are going to do to tackle their billion pound budget blackhole.

Responding to the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary of Justice that there will be a public inquiry into the circumstances around the death of Sheku Bayoh in 2015, Scottish Liberal Democrats Justice spokesperson Liam McArthur commented:

"A public inquiry is welcome for clarity around this tragedy to be achieved. However, it is undeniably ludicrous that it has taken four years for that to be realised. This is yet another case that clearly shows Scotland's system for deaths investigations is broken."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has today said that the Lib Dems are gaining ground in the Highlands with their campaign to end the constitutional division by stopping Brexit and stopping independence.

As he campaigned in Newtonmore and Fort William, Willie Rennie said the SNP are worried about the rise of the Liberal Democrats because the the party are offering a brighter future in contrast with the SNPs campaign for another divisive independence.

Responding to comments from the SNP over their exclusion from the Sky News leaders debate, Scottish Liberal Democrat general election chair Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

"Jo Swinson has made a positive case to broadcasters for why she should be in every TV debate, as the leader of the strongest remain party across the whole country. It is up to the SNP to do the same.

Responding to confirmation that the Brexit party will not contest seats held by Boris Johnson's Conservative Party, general election campaign chair Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

"Nigel Farage standing down shows the Conservatives and the Brexit party are now one and the same. Johnson's hard right Brexit takeover of the Tory party has now been endorsed by both Trump and Farage.

Following a campaign visit to Borders College in Galashiels today, Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie unveiled his party's five point plan to build a brighter future for Scotland by investing in public services, tackling the climate crisis and putting a stop to Brexit and the threat of independence.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has today said that it is only the Scottish Liberal Democrats who can take seats from the SNP at the forthcoming election as he campaigned for Wendy Chamberlain in the UK's most marginal seat of North East Fife.

Mr Rennie said:

"The Liberal Democrats' crystal clear message is switching lots of supporters to us. Stop Brexit, Stop Independence, Build a Brighter Future means that Liberal Democrats are growing. We are now the only party that can win from the SNP.

Speaking after a campaign visit to North East Fife, Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson called on Remain voters to back the best chance of stopping Brexit in this election. She urged people to put independence to one side and put all our energy into Stopping Brexit.

Jo Swinson said:

"My message to Remainers in Scotland is clear. Come with us. Join our movement. Help us protect Scotland's place at the heart of the UK, and the UK's place in Europe.