BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats

Scottish Liberal Democrats will this week use a debate on Scotland's drugs deaths crisis to urge the new Lord Advocate to prioritise the prevention of drug deaths through new guidance to pave the way for more people misusing drugs to get the treatment and support they need, instead of a destructive experience of the criminal justice system.

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP has today called on public figures to "show that differences and debate can exist without hatred", as new figures from the Crown Office showed that hate crimes have risen in almost every category over the past twelve months.

The Crown Office report published today notes:

Scottish Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur MSP has today told the Scottish Government to "put its money where its mouth is" and ensure student paramedics are not left out of pocket ahead of the introduction of a new bursary.

Mr McArthur, who led efforts on the Pay Student Paramedics campaign in the Scottish Parliament, has called on the Scottish Government to ensure the bursary is in place for the new term start, or commit to backdating payments to cover any absence.

Responding to today's EIS conference at which members accused the Education Secretary of "passing the buck" for the alternative certification model and General Secretary Larry Flanagan's call to "end the scandal of 1 in 10 teachers on temporary contracts or worse, zero hours supply lists", Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Beatrice Wishart MSP said:

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has today pressed the First Minister over the growth in short-term teaching contracts, and how many of the 3,500 teaching and classroom assistant posts that the Scottish Government has committed to creating will be given permanent contracts.

Mr Rennie said:

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has voiced support today for a letter sent by 14 Scottish food and drink businesses calling on the International Trade Secretary Liz Truss to engage more with industry on issues relating to EU trade and potential trade deals with Australia and other countries.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today called on the Scottish Government to work with football authorities and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to ensure that every household attending games at Hampden and at the Glasgow fanzone is mailed lateral flow tests.

His call comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed that Glasgow currently has the softest entry rules for football fans of the 11 host cities across Europe.

Responding to today's A&E figures which who the highest number of Scots attend an A&E department since February 2020, of whom 85.7.% were seen and admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours, well below the Scottish Government target of 95%, Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has today warned that teachers have been disrespected and abandoned after the publication of a new open letter highlighting damaging job instability in teaching.

The letter was sent by the Temporary and Supply Teachers in Scotland group, which has over 2,000 members, and highlighted the proliferation of short-term contracts and a lack of job opportunities driving qualified teachers away from the profession.

New research by Liberal Democrats/Savanta has shown that 25 per cent of adults in Scotland self-identify as someone who has unpaid caring responsibilities for a family member or friend due to illness

In further research commissioned for Carers Week (7 -11 June), a Carers UK survey revealed 72 per cent of unpaid carers in Scotland have not been able to have a break since the Coronavirus pandemic began.