Saving Jobs on the Clyde

On a recent visit to Govan, Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said: "Both Rosyth and Glasgow have a proud history in naval shipbuilding. Our decision to invest £5bn in the two new Queen Elizabeth carriers means they will now be building the largest ships ever ordered by the Royal Navy. “This is great news for the workers in the yards, the businesses in the supply chain and the skills base that we will keep here in Scotland.

"This is a massive investment into the Scottish economy and it is a massive vote of confidence in the world class shipbuilding you find in Scotland.”

Commenting after David Cameron confirmed at least one of the aircraft carriers at Rosyth will be built on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Liberal Democrat MSP for Dunfermline West Jim Tolson said:

"Thanks to Liberal Democrats putting the pressure on at all levels of government, the first carrier has been secured.

"This is great news for the workers at Rosyth and the Clyde, the economy of Scotland and the defence of the UK.

"We will continue to campaign for the second carrier to be built as well."

New Jobs in the Financial Sector

Commenting on Regional Selective Assistance funding announced for jobs in Glasgow’s financial services hub today, Liberal Democrat MSP for Glasgow Robert Brown said:

“This announcement is good news for Glasgow, especially on the back of the aircraft carrier jobs being retained on the Clyde.

“The ability of the private sector to create jobs in these tough economic times is vital for the future of the Scottish economy and of job prospects for our people.

“This bears out Business Secretary Vince Cable’s comments today, that job creation is progressing at an even pace across the country and is not focused in London.”

The Scottish Liberal Democrats are opposing the SNP Government's proposal to convene a national police board and their 'one-size-fits-all' approach to Scottish policing. Help us to keep our police forces local.

Commenting after the Justice Secretary gave his statement to Parliament on reforming the Police and Fire Rescue Services in Scotland, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown MSP said:

“Liberal Democrats will fight any move towards a single police force in Scotland.

“It is hugely disappointing but unsurprising that the Cabinet Secretary presented his plans for a single police force and fire board without giving the slightest indication of what savings and benefits Scotland would gain as a result.

“Liberal Democrats are not persuaded that a creation of a single police force will save any significant amount of money.

“Communities will instead suffer as local accountability is eroded and local police services damaged.

“Centralised bureaucrats will be given far too much say over how local policing decisions are made without being aware of local problems and issues.

“We are still waiting for a clear reason to be given by any of the supporters on why moving towards a single Scottish police force will improve policing or make Scottish streets safer.

“The idea of a single Scottish police service is bad for democracy, bad for local communities and bad for local policing.”

In challenging the First Minister about the plans, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott MSP said: “This is a slippery slope to one police force. For 150 years people in this democracy have worried about the government gaining political operational control over policing. The First Minister refuses to see that a National Police Board, appointed without debate in this Parliament - and with no basis in law - moves us down that dangerous road.”

“We need a police service that is responsive to local needs not subject to central diktat and centrally imposed targets.”