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Nick Clegg MP

"Welcome to our website. The Liberal Democrats are now the only party that can deliver social justice. We are only choice for anyone who wants a fairer Britain.

"We will put money back in the pockets of ordinary families. We will build a stable, green economy for each and every one of us. We will change politics so that every person counts.

"You can find out more, including how to keep in touch or join the Liberal Democrats, on this site."

Recent updates

  • More work to be done to drive forward climate change targets
    Article: Feb 6, 2012

    Scottish Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Jim Hume MSP has said that more needs to be done to encourage local authorities to invest in 'green' vehicles.

    Jim Hume MSPJim Hume MSPFigures obtained through Freedom of Information requests by the Liberal Democrats reveal that only 1% of the total number of vehicles procured by local authorities in Scotland are either electric or hybrid cars.

    Mr Hume has said that while it is welcome that most local authorities are now investing in electric or hybrid cars, there needs to be a significant improvement if Scotland is to meet its ambitious climate change targets.

    The technology for electric or hybrid cars is improving and the cost of electric vehicles has dropped significantly. Mr Hume would like to see more councils investing in this type of exciting new technology.

    Commenting, Mr Hume said:

    "While we have seen some progress in recent years in the procurement of green vehicles by local authorities, much more still needs to be done.

    "Scotland has set some extremely ambitious climate change targets and experts warned this week that more needs to be done if we are to meet them.

    "Local authorities have their part to play in this and switching to greener cars is a step forward. Every part of Scotland needs to be doing its bit.

    "The technology for electric or hybrid cars is improving all the time and the cost of electric vehicles has dropped significantly. Councils should be investing in this type of technology whenever possible.

    "We need to see Scotland's local authorities doing their bit to drive forward Scotland's climate change targets."

  • Liberal Democrat News 3rd February 2012
    Article: Feb 3, 2012


    Clegg calls time on unfair tax system

    At the Institute for Government last Friday, the Deputy Prime Minister gave a major speech on tax and supporting working families.

    "The tax system," said Nick Clegg, "should be designed to reward effort, enterprise and innovation... and bear down on those things which are bad for our society.
    "Attitudes to tax are a good proxy for our deepest political instincts and the three major political traditions in the UK - conservatism, socialism and liberalism - have very distinct approaches."

    "The liberal approach, put most simply, is based on a profound commitment to the value of paid work. Citizens are empowered when they can keep the fruits of their own labour. And fiscal liberalism supports taxes on unearned wealth... precisely to lighten taxes on the incomes of hardworking people.

    "So the Coalition is calling time on our unfair and out-of-whack tax system.
    We've put up Capital Gains Tax; we've reduced tax breaks on pension funds for the very rich; we've clamped down on avoidance - the steps taken already will raise an extra £7bn every year by the end of this parliament. And our priority in government - from the front cover of the Lib Dem manifesto to the pages of the Coalition Agreement - is freeing the lowest-paid from income tax altogether... and cutting income tax for millions of ordinary workers.

    "Whether you call them the 'squeezed middle', 'hard-working families', or, as I have, 'alarm clock Britain'… it's the people who whose incomes are too high to qualify for welfare benefits but too low to provide any real financial security who need this extra help. Over the last few decades wage rises have outpaced the increase in the allowance... so that more people have been sucked into the income tax net.

    "At the last election my party promised to raise the personal allowance for ordinary taxpayers to £10,000 and I am extremely proud that the Coalition has committed to doing so over the course of this Parliament. I want to make clear that I want the Coalition to go further and faster in delivering the full £10,000 allowance.
    Because the pressure on family finances is reaching boiling point … these families cannot be made to wait.

    "Delivering the £10,000 personal allowance more quickly will need to be fully funded. But to those who say: we cannot afford to do this. I say: we cannot afford not to do this.

    "It is often said that to govern is to choose... and, in particular, to choose whose side you are on. That is especially true when there is no money around. My choice - the Liberal Democrat's choice - is clear: I want to help hard-pressed and hardworking families. If that means asking more from those at the top - so be it.

    "We are committed to eliminating the deficit... and eliminate it we will. But I am determined that we do so in a way that is fair...that rebalances our economy...that gives the right people the right rewards.
    "People look to the Liberal Democrats to keep this Coalition anchored in the centre ground. They want economic competence, but they want compassion too.
    It is our job to make sure this government delivers both."

  • Prison visiting committees play vital role
    Article: Feb 2, 2012

    Speaking following the debate on Prison Visiting Committees in the Scottish Parliament today, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said:

    Alison McInnes MSPAlison McInnes MSP"Today's debate highlighted the serious flaws in the Government's proposals to abolish Prison Visiting Committees.

    "More than simply being an independent voice for prisoners, the Committees play a far greater role in ensuring that standards in our prison estate are maintained. Yet the Cabinet Secretary refuses to acknowledge this.

    "The fact that Prison Visiting Committees can make frequent and unannounced visits to prisons is a vital check for ensuring that prisons are well run. That, along with the fact that they provide a local, totally independent voice, is a prime reason why the system has endured so successfully.

    "Expert opinion universally recognises the vital role that Prison Visiting Committees play within our justice system - a role they carry out at a fraction of the cost of the Government's proposed advocacy service. The Cabinet Secretary must now listen to those experts, see sense and drop these badly considered proposals."

  • Agriculture budget could face double whammy
    Article: Feb 2, 2012

    George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, has held wide ranging discussions on CAP reform with the German government including Dr Freidrech Guth who heads up the Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection.

    He also met with Gerd Sonnleitner, the President of both the German Farmers Union and COPA-COGECA.

  • More questions and concerns over currency
    Article: Feb 2, 2012

    Following John Swinney's comments on an independent Scotland's future currency, Scottish Liberal Democrat President and former Treasury spokesman, Malcolm Bruce MP said:

    Malcolm Bruce MPMalcolm Bruce MP"In his attempt to shed light over the Scottish Government's plans for an independent Scotland's future currency, John Swinney has inevitably raised more questions and with it concern.

    "By rejecting the Euro in the mid- to- long term, Mr Swinney does not acknowledge that adopting the Euro may well be condition set in return for Scotland's EU membership.

    "In opting for Sterling, he states that he would enter into a 'dialogue' with the Bank of England about his spending plans before asserting that no conditions will be attached, which is frankly absurd.

    "The truth is that by acknowledging that the Bank of England would act as a bank of last resort, the Scottish Government would have no choice but to accept the conditions of the Bank. Is this anyone's idea of true independence?"

    "The reality is that independence is a complicated and protracted process in which the Scottish Government will have little or no control on the details that will determine it."

  • Scottish colleges deserve better from SNP
    Article: Feb 2, 2012

    Commenting after the colleges debate in the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

    Liam McArthur MSPLiam McArthur MSP"There is a real risk that the Education Secretary will be the last person left defending the deep cuts to the budget of Scotland's colleges.

    "Again today, rather than acknowledge the widespread concerns of students, staff and colleges on the impact these damaging cuts will have, Mr Russell resorted to attacking his opponents for even bringing the issue to Parliament.

    "Yesterday the First Minister emphasised the priority he attaches to tackling youth unemployment, a fight in which Scotland's colleges have a key role to play. Last week, the Finance Secretary invited the other parties in parliament to discuss how the government's Budget might be improved.

    "It seems the only person unwilling to accept and argue the case for an improved funding settlement for our colleges is the Education Secretary.

    "This is a remarkable position for him to take and suggests that Mr Russell's pride is blinding him to what needs to be done for our colleges.

    "Scotland's colleges improve the life chances of thousands of people, of all ages in all parts of the country.

    "Colleges provide students with the skills they need to get up and get on and they deserve a much fairer deal from the Scottish Government's Budget."

  • SNP should come clean over colleges
    Article: Feb 1, 2012

    Commenting after the Education Secretary gave a statement on Higher and Further Education Governance, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for the North East, Alison McInnes said:

    Alison McInnes MSPAlison McInnes MSP"Obviously Michael Russell thinks he knows better than College Principals on how to run their colleges.

    "Colleges are being put under central diktat as the Scottish Government tries to grab all the power to the centre. First it was our local police forces, now we are seeing it with our colleges.

    "I am particularly concerned by the proposals to siphon off what are judged to be excess college reserves. In many cases colleges will have carefully built up their reserves as part of plans to undertake particular local projects or improvements.

    "The Cabinet Secretary denied that this proposal was on the table but the report from Professor Griggs couldn't be clearer. Either Mr Russell has not read this report or he is trying to pull the wool over our eyes.

    "Colleges are already facing budget cuts thanks to SNP choices and now they face having most of their reserves taken away and used by central Government.

    "Instead of shouting down anyone who dares challenge him, the Education Secretary needs to come clean and tell colleges what the SNP's plans will actually mean for their budgets and reserves."

  • Focus on youth unemployment
    Article: Feb 1, 2012

    Commenting as the First Minster tells a summit that youth employment is his top priority, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP said:

    Willie Rennie MSPWillie Rennie MSP"If youth employment was a top priority for the First Minister then he would have already reversed his cuts to Scotland's colleges with the extra money available from Westminster.

    "Colleges are vital for helping people get up and get on especially in the current financial climate. These cuts will mean fewer college places.

    "To maximise youth employment in Scotland, the First Minister should also swallow his pride and work closely with the UK Government to promote the Youth Contract.

    "The Youth Contract can benefit 16,000 young people in Scotland, helping them gain skills and employment. By promoting this, the Scottish Government can do something positive for young people.

    "Promoting the Youth Contract and reversing the cut to colleges should be the top two priorities for the Scottish Government if it is serious about tackling youth unemployment."

  • ASA bans 'misleading' L'Oréal advert featuring Rachel Weisz
    Article: Feb 1, 2012

    The ASA ruled that the image used in an advertisement for L'Oréal Paris' Revitalift Repair 10 was altered to change Rachel Weisz's complexion, making it appear smoother and more even. It was judged to be in breach of industry code and "misleadingly exaggerated" the performance of the product.

    The advertisement has been banned in its current form and the ASA has warned L'Oréal not to use digital retouching to misrepresent the effect of their products.

    Commenting, Jo Swinson said:

  • Julian Huppert: Yearly MOT tests right decision
    Article: Feb 1, 2012

    "In 2010 there were 1,850 deaths and more than 200,000 injuries on our roads. That's some 600 every day. With mechanical failure already contributing to a significant number of these, the Coalition Government has made the right decision to keep frequent MOT-tests.

    "This will also see the system strengthened through a combination of open public data and stronger regulation.

    "Liberal Democrats strongly believe road safety should be central to the Coalition Government's transport strategy. I look forward to working with the Secretary of State to further this agenda."

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