Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP has today challenged Police Scotland to boost efforts to support women and BME staff after a new report revealed officer and staff concerns over condescending behaviour and derogatory comments.

The HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) report also highlighted data on recruitment, retention, development, and promotion of people from under-represented groups in Police Scotland. 32% (5,709) of police officers are female and 1% (253) are from black or minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds. The figures are not representative of the general Scottish population, which is 51.1% female and 4% BME.

We did it!

The Vagrancy Bill is a blunt outdated instrument that makes criminals of rough sleepers. It hurts the people most in need in our society.

Liberal Democrats have been fighting to scrap it for years. And today, the Prime Minister has been dragged kicking and screaming to a point where even he admits it needs to go.

Responding to the UK Government's statement on the children's rights bill, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and ex-convenor of the Children's Services coalition Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

"Now that it is clear what changes must be made to this bill, I want to see it back in front of the Scottish Parliament at the next available opportunity.

Responding to the Health Secretary opening a new NHS training centre opening in Clydebank, Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

"The Health Secretary loves a photo op but hates to explain the real reason why we are facing an NHS staffing crisis in the first place: fourteen years of SNP neglect and mismanagement.

Responding to the comments made on this morning's Good Morning Scotland by Sir Ian Wood calling for the UK Government to rethink its decision not to build a new carbon capture facility in Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrat climate emergency spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

"Boris Johnson's Conservative government has let Scotland down once again. Investment in projects such as carbon capture and storage would help the North East move away from its reliance on oil and gas as we begin to decarbonise the UK energy system. It should have been at the top of the pile.

Figures released by the Scottish Government show that the share of post-probationary teachers able to find permanent positions has declined in each year since 2017/18.

The latest statistics, at primary level 2019/20 for example, reveal that fewer than 1 in 3 of 'year one' primary teachers were able to secure a permanent job. This is down from 58% in 2016/17. Permanent positions at 'year one' secondary level have also fallen by 10% over the same period. Temporary contracts overtook permanent ones for 'year ones' for the first time in 2019/20.

Scottish Liberal Democrat mental health spokesperson and practitioner Jane Alliston has today said that a new report into mental health and wellbeing shows the need for rapid and dramatic investment in mental health, particularly in Scotland's most deprived communities.

The Public Health Scotland's report Rapid evidence review of the socioeconomic determinants of mental wellbeing, published today highlights that:

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today called on the Health Secretary to make fixing the NHS workforce crisis a "personal priority".

A&E waiting times remain at record breaking levels, with the number of people being seen within the four-hour target time remaining at 71.3%, the same as last week.

Responding to reports that the timeline for over 50s to get booster vaccinations has been pushed back from October to mid-November, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

"The Scottish Government are sneaking out changes to the vaccination program under the radar. We know that caseloads are still far too high so there can be no excuses for these delays. The Health Secretary needs to tell the public what steps he will take to speed up this rollout.

Speaking as the enforcement of Covid ID cards comes into force, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has warned that the cards set a dangerous precedent and should be abolished.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

"From today, a new precedent will be set in Scotland. Your private, medical data can be shared with people other than your doctor, as the government demands.