Jardine says cancellation of Edinburgh festivals is “devastating”
Edinburgh West Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine has today described the cancellation of the five Edinburgh festivals as “devastating for the city”.
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Lib Dems respond to "sharp u-turn' on jury trials
Responding to the announcement that the Scottish Government has withdrawn the section of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill that would suspend jury trials in Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton, who lodged amendments objecting to the plans, said:
"The Scottish Government's sharp u-turn on its plans to end jury trials is important.
Read moreMigrant NHS "Heroes" should be given indefinite leave to remain
The Liberal Democrats have called for all foreign national NHS workers risking their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic to be awarded indefinite leave to remain.
The call follows reports that doctors, nurses and paramedics will automatically have their visas extended, free of charge, for one year.
Lib Dems: Nursery expansion can help coronavirus recovery
Responding to the government’s announcement that it will postpone plans to offer parents 1140 hours of free childcare by August 2020, Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Beatrice Wishart MSP said:
“As we try to get our economy back on its feet after this crisis the nursery care provision will be more important than ever to help parents get back to work and rebuild their businesses.
Read moreJardine: Rescue flight fund welcome after haphazard repatriation operation
Edinburgh West Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine welcomed the UK Government’s commitment of £75m to make sure Brits stranded abroad get home safely, but criticised the delay and sought assurances that more will be done if necessary.
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Lib Dems relieved to see substantial offering for the self-employed
Responding to the Chancellor’s announcement that the self-employed will receive 80% of their income up to £2,500, mirroring measures already in place to support those in employment, Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said:
“The Chancellor’s offering to the self-employed will make a material difference to the stability of thousands of families across the UK.
Read moreHealth Secretary offers cancer patients some reassurance
Responding to the Health Secretary outlining the planning around continuing vital cancer care, Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP commented:
"For patients going through cancer treatment and their families this is an immensely worrying time.
Read moreMcArthur writes to Justice Secretary over prison conditions
Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP has today written to the Justice Secretary calling for the Scottish Government to look at ways it can mitigate the impact of coronavirus on the prison service including reforms to remand and offering prisons access to telephone services to alleviate unrest as a result of longer periods of isolation.
Read more“Distasteful” MP suggests settling scores “under the cover of coronavirus”
Commenting on today’s column in the Scotsman from East Lothian MP Kenny Macaskill in which he calls for a “reckoning” in the SNP and says that resignations should take place “quietly under the cover of coronavirus”, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine said:
Read moreIsles representatives welcome HIAL move to end non-essential flights
Reacting to news that HIAL will close its airports to non-essential flights, Alistair Carmichael MP and Beatrice Wishart MSP have given their reaction.
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