BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats

Responding to the terror incident at Parsons Green today, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said:

"My thoughts are with all those affected in London and my deepest sympathies are with those desperately waiting for news from family and friends".

"The emergency services are doing such a fantastic job to keep people safe and we should all take this opportunity to pay tribute to their hard work."

Vince Cable has said the Liberal Democrats are the only party offering an exit from Brexit and a serious, long-term approach to the economy, as the party begins its Autumn Conference in Bournemouth this weekend.

The conference will see a thousands of Liberal Democrats come to the town including the highest number of first-timers on record. On Tuesday, Vince will make his first speech to Conference as party leader.

Ahead of conference, Vince Cable said:

"This is a critical time in British politics, the country has a weak government trembling over a cliff edge. Only the Liberal Democrats have been strong and honest in warning the country about the dangers of Brexit.

"The Liberal Democrats will fight to keep Britain in the Single Market and offer an exit from Brexit - a referendum on the final Brexit deal with the option to remain.

"The Liberal Democrats go into conference bigger, more diverse, and significantly more influential than before the General Election. With a hung parliament, a weak Conservative government, a divided Labour Party and the Brexit process underway, the Liberal Democrats can make a real difference to the future of our country. Bournemouth is a chance to set out our vision."

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles has called on the Scottish Government's Rural Economy Minister to back the success of Scotland's food and drink's industries by taking action now to design a bespoke system of financial support.

In a speech before the chamber today, the North East MSP welcomed the success of important rural industries like scotch whisky but warned that if the Scottish Government failed to prepare for Brexit the rural economy would suffer in the long run.

The abuse of disabled persons' parking spaces is still having a huge impact on people's lives eight years after legislation designed at preventing such misuse was passed, according to MSPs. Holyrood's local government and finance committee has been reviewing the Disabled Persons' Parking Places Act.

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP has today called on the Scottish Government to ensure that robust, properly-funded community-based options are delivered.

The calls follow his party securing the Scottish Government's commitment in the Programme for Government for their long term campaign for the introduction of a presumption against ineffective short-term prison sentences.

An autistic teenager who was thrown off his college course just days after starting said he feels as though he has been "thrown away in a bin".City College Norwich said James Parker, 16, had been "enrolled in error".

His mother was told by letter that the college had made a mistake and that James, from Norwich, could not return. The college has apologised to the family, but James said: "I just wanted to study there, I don't know how they can do that."

A leading provider of care for people with learning disabilities says it might have to pull out of some services if a row over back pay for staff is not settled soon. Mencap says it might have to end its involvement in running more than 200 residential care homes and services affecting more than 2,000 people with serious learning disabilities. The services would have to be taken over by local authorities. A government spokesman said further clarity would be provided in the coming weeks.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie today said that the severe concerns about the impact of Brexit among Scottish manufacturers highlight how important it is that the public are offered an "exit from Brexit".

Almost a quarter of Scottish manufacturers responding to a new survey have lost or are at risk of losing staff due to Brexit. The survey found this was due to uncertainty over post-Brexit EU workers' rights and a drop in the value of the pound. Nearly a quarter (22%) of respondents cited Brexit concerns and uncertainty over future trading tariffs as a key barrier to growth.

Speaking after this evening's Scottish Parliament debate on housing, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

"Scotland is facing a housing crisis and we need more homes of all types including social rent, private rent and private ownership.

"With 170,000 people on council waiting lists, we desperately need more properties available for social rent. This should top the agenda.

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur today warned that pressure is building on the Scottish Government to address concerns in the fire service after representatives of the Fire Brigades Union Scotland warned a Scottish Parliament committee that the SNP's centralisation of the fire service "absolutely is impacting on the frontline."