Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie has today branded as "deeply disappointing" a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Education to the Scottish Parliament's education committee which kicks incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scottish law down the road, committing only to currently "considering very carefully" how to proceed without providing a timeline.

In the run up to Christmas Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has called for the Scottish Government to mail lateral flow tests to every household in Scotland and encourage everyone to take a test and register the results.

Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Willie Rennie has today questioned whether the Scottish Government is being open about potential liabilities attached to a breach of state aid rules in relation to the Dalzell steelworks deal as he pressed for answers over why key information on the scale of liabilities was redacted in a 2016 business purchase agreement, since released to the public.

Commenting on the news that the SNP/Green Government has confirmed a 3.8% increase to rail fares, Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Jill Reilly has condemned its “lack of green vision” on the climate emergency.

The fare increase will come into effect in January 2022 and will be the biggest hike in the last ten years.

Ms Reilly said:

Responding to the publication of the Scottish Government's new coronavirus guidance for businesses, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

North East Fife MP, Wendy Chamberlain has joined fellow MPs and conservation groups from across the UK, calling on the UK Government to ban imports of hunting trophies into the country, without delay.

Responding to today's A&E figures showing just 72.4% of attendances at A&E services were seen and resulted in a subsequent admission, transfer or discharge within 4 hours in the week ending 5 December 2021, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP today said new official statistics which show an unprecedented attainment gap and performance at primary school level falling dramatically in every measure is a reflection of a Scottish Government that has offered “too little too late”.

Responding to John Swinney's comments suggesting Covid ID cards could be extended to more venues, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

Speaking in response to comments from Professor Linda Bauld saying that restrictions over Christmas are possible and hints from the Deputy First Minister that further restrictions will be introduced this week, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: