BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP today called on the Scottish Government to set out how it will improve the dental health of children from more deprived backgrounds, after it was revealed a 2010 target is still being missed.

The statistics showed that just 55.8% of P1 children from the most deprived areas have no obvious decay, compared with 85.9% in the least deprived areas. This means that the Scottish Government's target - that 60% of all P1 children should have no obvious decay experience by 2010 - still isn't being met for those from more deprived backgrounds.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today warned that efforts to deliver a smoke-free Scotland risk falling short after new figures showed the number of attempts to quit smoking with the help of the NHS fell for the sixth consecutive year.

The statistics show that the number of quit attempts made with the help of NHS smoking cessation services reduced to 55,369 in 2017/18.

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Tavish Scott MSP has today demanded that councils who boycott controversial tests for P1 pupils do not face "recriminations" from the SNP Government, ahead of a statement at Parliament by the Education Secretary this week.

On 19 September 2018, the Scottish Parliament voted to end the tests. However, Education Secretary John Swinney immediately vowed that the tests would continue, despite the stated "will of Parliament" and criticism from campaigners, teachers, parents and the EIS union.

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today announced that their Spring Conference will take place at the Hamilton Town House on 22nd - 23rd February 2019.

The two day event will see delegates from across Scotland descend on the town to debate policy and hear speeches from speakers including party leader Willie Rennie.

Commenting on new figures from the Scottish Chambers of Commerce warning that business investment and confidence is falling in the face of an uncertain political environment, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said:

"Businesses are right to be concerned about the threat posed by a no deal Brexit, which the Chancellor has confirmed will cost the UK £36 billion.

Responding to the news that Canada has legalised the recreational use of cannabis, Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

"The laws surrounding recreational use of cannabis are outdated and harmful. Theresa May should follow Justin Trudeau's lead in this liberal and sensible approach to legalising cannabis.

Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, has today used Prime Minister's Questions to challenge the Prime Minister to defend human rights in occupied Palestinian territories.

The West Bank village of Khan al-Ahmar, is facing demolition, an action which the United Nations characterised as a breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and a war crime. Preparations for demolition started on 15^th October, with work expected to start at any moment.

Scottish Liberal Democrat rural affairs spokesperson Mike Rumbles MSP has said that a UK Government initiated review of farm funding announced today must ensure that Scotland maintains its present share of UK wide agricultural funding.

The independent advisory panel will look at how subsidies are handed out across the UK. The UK Government have also confirmed today it will not use the Barnett formula alone as a basis for distributing farm funds post-2022.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today warned that another poor week of A&E performance figures suggests the Scottish Government are resigned to missing the target until next spring.

Official figures released today show performance against the 4-hour waiting time target sits at 89.7%. The Scottish Government's target is 95%. This has not been achieved since July 2017.

Responding to new statistics showing a rise in the number of winter deaths to 23,137 in 2017/18, the highest level since 1999/2000, Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

"While our NHS staff have done fantastic work in ensuring that the long term winter mortality rate is in decline, last year's steep rise in winter deaths is a cause for concern.