BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats

Speaking after the Justice Secretary, Humza Yousaf, appeared in front of the Justice Committee this morning to provide an update on the BTP merger, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

"The BTP merger was politically-driven and poorly planned.

"We're two years down the line and the case for the merger continues to unravel. Rushing through this legislation has left BTP officers and staff in limbo and their future remains uncertain.

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP today said that HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland's (HMIPS) annual report shows why prisons and sentencing policies need to be "dragged into the 21st century".

The HMIPS' Annual Report for 2017-18:

• welcomed the intention to extend the presumption against short prison sentences from three to twelve months;
• reported that HMPs Inverness and Greenock "did not meet modern standards";
• said "there were insufficient treatment programmes available for short-term prisoners serving four years or less";
• praised the work of throughcare support officers helping resettle people following release;
• reported that "sometimes basic levels of healthcare were not provided to patients" due to staffing issues;
• reported a rise in instances of the use of novel psychoactive substances;
• expressed concern about the number of people on remand, adding "it appears that remand is used as a heavy-handed way to ensure the accused attends court for their trial";
• said much work needs to be done to reduce the number of women held in custody ahead of the introduction of the new estate with fewer places in 2020.

Responding to the news that the UK Government may halve its funding for the Tay Cities Deal, North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie said:

"This is a devastating revelation. Both of Scotland's governments have a responsibility to ensure the investment that was promised to the Tay region is delivered and brings tangible benefits to local people.

Former Liberal Leader David Steel has urged Theresa May to call off the attempts at Brexit. In a statement today he urged her to use a Prime Ministerial TV broadcast to admit that she has tried her best to implement the wishes of the British people narrowly expressed in the referendum, but that it has proved too difficult and damaging for the UK, and that therefore she is going to ask for a people's vote on whether they really wish to crash out of the EU.

The future of HIV Scotland has been secured by a £231k rescue package, following extensive negotiations between the charity, Scottish Liberal Democrats who campaigned to keep it afloat and the Scottish Government.

The charity was fighting for its existence after it was unsuccessful in an earlier bid to receive Scottish Government funding.

Speaking after the debate on bank closures, North East MSP Mike Rumbles said:

"People in rural and remote communities deserve and depend on access to face-to-face reliable banking. Losing local branches has been devastating.

"The Scottish and UK governments have had years to get to grips with this issue and have done nothing. This is a genuine opportunity to put their differences aside and protect the essentials on Scottish highstreets.

Responding to the publication of the UK Migration Advisory Committee report, EEA migration in the UK, Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie said:

"Scotland faces the twin challenges of an ageing population and key worker shortages. But these problems are not unique to us. Areas of England, Wales and Northern Ireland share our population trends and need for agricultural workers, NHS and social care staff.

Speaking ahead of the Holyrood vote tomorrow on scrapping national tests for P1 children, Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Tavish Scott MSP said:

"Are the First Minister and Deputy First Minister going to listen to teachers and parents or not?

"Teachers unequivocal message is that testing 5 year old girls and boys tells them nothing they do not already know.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP today said patients' recovery is being held back after new figures showed that fewer than 50% of patients are now being seen within the NHS physio waiting time target.

During the quarter ending June 2018 only 49.9% of the 81,762 patients who had a first clinical appointment with musculoskeletal services were seen within 4 weeks. The target is to achieve this for 90% of patients.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has criticised the Scottish Government for failing to tackle "unacceptable" A&E waits as new statistics reveal waiting time performance has dropped back below 90% for the first time since April.

Official figures released today show performance against the 4-hour waiting time target sits at 89.6%. The Scottish Government's target is 95%. This has not been achieved since July 2017.