Speaking as the Scottish Parliament debates the Hate Crime and Public Order Bill, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

"Hate crime for all protected characteristics is on the rise. And while the culture shift required to reverse this ugly tide will take time, our police, prosecutors and courts need the tools to deal with it when and where it occurs.

Responding to the announcement that the statutory duty to deliver 1140 hours of funded ELC will not come into effect until August 2021, Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Beatrice Wishart MSP said:

"The pandemic has disrupted all aspects of our lives but this government cannot use it as an excuse to kick the can down the road on major commitments. There will be no recovery without properly funded and supported childcare.

Speaking ahead of the publication of data from trials of asymptomatic community testing, preliminary results of which revealed that 3% of those tested (426 people) returned a positive test, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said:

"These preliminary results from across the central belt suggest that there may be tens of thousands of unsuspecting people currently with the virus.

Responding to a new report from the Auditor General which warns that Scottish policing is "not financially sustainable", Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

“Since the SNP's botched centralisation, the national force has been consistently in the red.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has today questioned how travel firm TUI are continuing to fly passengers out of Glasgow airport, while the site remains in tier 3 restrictions.

The firm are currently advertising Christmas deals, despite evidence this week that international travel in the summer contributed to the second wave of covid deaths.

Speaking after reports that former Prime Minister Gordon Brown is set to lead a UK constitutional convention initiative, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Willie Rennie said:

“To have the heft of the former Prime Minister and Chancellor behind this important initiative to reform the United Kingdom is a significant development.

Commenting following publication of the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee’s Stage 1 report on the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP commented: 

“The bill presented to parliament by the Scottish Government was riddled with problems. Vague language, blurred boundaries and inadequate protections for freedom of expression led to serious and legitimate concerns being voiced by almost every group with an interest in the bill.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Beatrice Wishart MSP has called on the Scottish Government to bring forward more ambitious legislation to secure the rights of parents who want to defer their child starting school.

Following the campaign run by ‘Give them Time’, the Minister for Children and Young People Maree Todd agreed on the need for legislation to guarantee funded ELC for August to December-born children who defer starting school, however legislation presented this week would only introduce this entitlement from August 2023.

Following the announcement of new funds for business by the Finance Secretary, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie said that working constructively with government ministers has delivered results.

New sectoral funds worth £185million were announced for self catering, B&Bs, travel agencies, coach tour operators, taxi drivers and hospitality businesses.