Wed 8th Sep 2010:

SNP too interested in tactical politicking.

Jeremy Purvis says it is unacceptable that the Scottish Government have refused to publish their response to the Independent Budget Review

Jobs must be main objective of Government.

Tavish Scott focusses on jobs as the Scottish Government publish their last Programme for Government

SNP face uncomfortable questions over Homecoming.

Iain Smith says a new report is a dmaning insight into the way the SNP Government handled the year of Homecoming 2009.

Finnie welcomes preliminary report on blood contaminations.

Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP says that he welcomes the preliminary report from Lord Penrose on the unacceptable blood contaminations which arose during the 1970’s and 1980’s

Purvis: Untenable for SNP to wait two months to publish budget proposals.

Finance spokesperson Jeremy Purvis says that it is becoming untenable for the SNP Government to wait two months before they publish their budget proposals

Euro Parliament strikes balance between animal welfare and vital research - Lyon.

"The new rules mean that Scotland will retain our existing high animal welfare standards but compel Member States that are lagging behind to raise their game."

Crockart backs tougher Freedom of Information laws.

Mike Crockart, MP for Edinburgh West, has supported a 10 minute rule bill in Parliament which seeks to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act.

Lyon meets with EU Commissioner to discuss cloning rules.

"It is in the interests of both consumers and farmers that there is a common approach across Europe on this issue. Anything else simply leads to confusion, as we saw this summer."

McInnes: Climate change targets working group making real progress.

Climate Change spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP says that they Climate Chage working group is making real progress

Tue 7th Sep 2010:

Lib Dems: Crime statistics give the lie to labour’s knee-jerk and expensive populism.

Justice spokesman Robert Brown says that the fall in the large fall in both recorded crimes of violence and in the carrying of knives gives lie to Labour’s kneejerk and expensive populism, and their demands for more and longer prison sentences

Mon 6th Sep 2010:

Liberal Democrat MPs vote on electoral reform referendum.

Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg will lead the debate in Parliament in favour of the referendum.

MPs will be debating the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill on their first day back from the summer recess.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat deputy leader, Simon Hughes said:

“We have a unique opportunity to overthrow our archaic voting system and replace it with something fairer and better.

“Liberal Democrat activists, alongside those from other parties and none, have long campaigned for a new voting system.

“The Alternative Vote is a system that accommodates more choice while making sure no MP is elected without 50% support from their consituents.

“It will also make MPs work harder to win and keep support. Good MPs will have nothing to fear from AV – only bad MPs will want to keep the current system.”

To sign up for the Liberal Democrat campaign for fairer votes, visit www.libdemsforfairervotes.org.uk."    

Fri 3rd Sep 2010:

Nick Clegg visits Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg visited Afghanistan and Pakistan earlier this week. On returning from the trip Mr Clegg said:

"Earlier this week this week I went to Afghanistan and Pakistan to see for myself the problems and challenges that those countries face. The coalition government is committed to playing our part to helping ensure that the region has a peaceful and prosperous future.

It was my second visit to our armed forces in Afghanistan, where I saw again the bravery and professionalism of our troops. Whilst the situation in the country is still difficult, I believe that we are beginning to turn the corner. As the Prime Minister has made clear, British combat troops will leave Afghanistan by 2015 and it is important that by then we have a full political settlement to take the country forward.

Yesterday I was in Pakistan where I saw the almost unimaginable impact of the terrible floods. It is almost impossible to appreciate their scale — the affected area is approximately the same size as the UK.

I was deeply moved as I witnessed the flooding from the air. It is sadly clear that it will take years for life in Pakistan to come back to normal. I met with President Zardari and aid agency workers to discuss aid being delivered to Pakistan and what role Britain and the international community can play.

I’m proud that the British people and government have together contributed over £100m to assist the aid efforts. If you would like to donate to the DEC appeal for Pakistan, as I know many people will have done already, you can do so here: www.dec.org.uk"

Mon 30th Aug 2010:

New 111 service will be better than NHS Direct - Burstow.

Fri 27th Aug 2010:

Corus deal will get Teesside's heart beating again, says Swales.

Corus and Thai steel company SSI have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for SSI to buy the Teesside Cast Products plant from Corus.

Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar Ian Swales said:

"This is absolutely terrific news and something I have been tirelessly working towards since being elected in May.

"I am thrilled this deal has been done and that we will be bringing steel making back to Redcar. This will get Teesside’s heart beating again.

"This deal is the culmination of thousands of hours of hard work by Corus and SSI, with great support from both the trade unions and politicians.  Vince Cable and his team have done all they could to help facilitate this deal coming to fruition and I am grateful for their support.

"When I visited SSI in Thailand this May, I was impressed with their operation and people and saw the clear need that they had for the TCP output. Since then my regular contacts with SSI, Corus and Tata made me quietly confident that this day would come. However, such deals are complex and it was always going to take some time to agree the many issues involved.

"This is fantastic news for the area and will bring back the much needed jobs. When added to recent announcements and other potential projects, it looks as though Teesside has at last turned the corner from a very long period of industrial decline."

Rise in obesity operations shows Labour failed on public health.

Commenting on the 10-fold rise in the number of obesity-related surgeries carried out on the NHS in less than a decade, Liberal Democrat health minister Paul Burstow said:

"These are procedures that can transform lives, save lives and save money for the taxpayer.

"The 10-fold increase in less than a decade shows the last Government failed to get a grip on public health issues.

"Obesity is a serious issue in this country. Over the last 13 years we've become the country with the highest rate of obesity in the whole of Europe.

"We are committed to a real drive to consistently deliver public health messages about changes in lifestyles that people can make, both in diet and exercise, that can significantly reduce the need for these procedures."

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