Commenting on reports that almost a quarter of Scottish Prison Service staff are currently absent from work, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

"There is no escaping the fact that Scotland's overcrowded prisons were in crisis before this pandemic hit. Now the difficulty of social distancing in prisons that are well over capacity and a lack of PPE is putting both staff and inmates at increased risk of infection.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has today called on the Scottish Government to ensure children on free school meals will continue to receive vouchers over the Easter holidays.

The call follows confirmation from the Welsh Liberal Democrat Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, that children in Wales will also be offered free school meals during the break.

The call follows reports that doctors, nurses and paramedics will automatically have their visas extended, free of charge, for one year.

The coronavirus crisis is an unprecedented threat and people are rightly worried. In times like this, we cannot thank front-line staff enough for going above and beyond to look after us all.

Extending the visas in the NHS is welcome, but the Government must also do so much more for the social care system and urgently rollout adequate PPE and testing.

Edinburgh West Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine has today described the cancellation of the five Edinburgh festivals as "devastating for the city".

Christine Jardine commented:

"This is devastating news for the performers, organisers, and attendees involved in the festivals and for the city itself.

Responding to the announcement that the Scottish Government has withdrawn the section of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill that would suspend jury trials in Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton, who lodged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.

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.

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.

Ed Davey responds to Foreign Secretary's update on coronavirus

Responding to yesterday evening's update on coronavirus from the Foreign Secretary, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

"Reports from many British citizens stuck overseas bring home the reality of the global scale of this crisis. Many have been in a desperate position, unsure whether they will be able to secure accommodation or access adequate supplies.

"The Foreign Office must ensure that British citizens will be able to return home, wherever they have been stranded, without exception.

Plans for Liberal Democrat autumn conference on hold, online options to be explored instead

In the light of the coronavirus epidemic, the Federal Board has decided to put on hold plans for the preparation of a traditional party conference in the autumn and will make a final decision on whether to cancel the event in May.

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.

Christine Jardine commented:

"The news that the government is committing significant sums to rescue flights will bring relief to thousands of Brits trapped abroad at this worrying time.