With apologies to all, as it seems as though my primary e-mail account has decided to glitch, only accepting some but not all e-mails directed to it… here are some press releases that have been issued over the past few days that we missed…

• Legislate to make schools smartphone free, says Cole-Hamilton
• Scot Lib Dems comment on Green manifesto launch
• Scottish Lib Dems launch plans to revive high streets
• Scot Lib Dems warn of “farming fuel crisis” as red diesel prices soar

Legislate to make schools smartphone free, says Cole-Hamilton

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today set out how his party will legislate to make schools smartphone-free environments, as part of its plan to get Scottish education back to its best.

The party’s manifesto, to be published later this week, will enshrine the right of children to learn, and teachers to teach, by making every school a smartphone-free environment.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

Education is the best investment we can make in our children’s potential and our country’s future.

But after 19 years of the SNP, Scottish education just isn’t what it used to be. Every week I meet families worried that their child’s additional support needs aren’t being met, worried their teenager is frequently absent or worried about the violence in their schools. Fights and bullying are captured on phones and spread like wildfire. Our children deserve better.

Scottish Liberal Democrats will legislate to make schools smartphone-free environments, so children can learn and teachers can teach. We need to make the cultural change that this requires – it’s just not fair to leave this up to headteachers and ministerial guidance any longer.

Studies show the link between problematic smartphone use, poor mental health and poor sleep amongst teens. Phones are a distraction, apps are built to be addictive and there are relentless notifications. The classroom ought to offer a break to our young people from all of that – a bit of peace and quiet to learn, to focus, and properly connect with classmates and teachers.

That’s why making schools smartphone free is an essential part of the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ plan to get Scottish education back to its best.

Scot Lib Dems comment on Green manifesto launch

Responding to the Scottish Greens manifesto launch, Scottish Liberal Democrat campaign chair Wendy Chamberlain said:

The Scottish Greens came very close to promising every voter a free puppy. There were so many freebies on show that it blew any hope of credibility.

In government the Greens were responsible for wasting millions on a bottle deposit scheme that fell apart, cut £200m from the housing budget in the middle of a housing crisis and pushing plans for marine areas that would have cost coastal communities their livelihoods.

Unless you want a repeat of the Green tail wagging the SNP dog you should vote for Scottish Liberal Democrats on your peach regional ballot. We will deliver change with fairness at its heart, after years of SNP-Green neglect.

Scottish Lib Dems launch plans to revive high streets

Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Jamie Greene has today set out his party’s plans to support Scottish high streets, as he pledged to review vape shops, improve public transport and explore a new system of business rates.

After successfully securing £178 million for the year ahead to help businesses with crushing rates rises, Scottish Liberal Democrats are now setting out a series of measures to get high streets thriving.

These plans include:

• Working towards a new system of business rates with a business value element to avoid penalising businesses which refurbish properties or install renewables.
• Reviewing the safety of vape shops and the risk they pose to their neighbours and local infrastructure.
• Exempting the last bank in town from business rates.
• Making high streets safer by strengthening the Retail Crime Taskforce.
• Improving public transport to drive footfall and help staff get safely to and from work, with a special focus on the nighttime economy.

The party would also:

• Remove barriers and incentivise people to live, work and come together on our high streets again, returning them to their place at the heart of our communities.

Jamie Greene said:

When people walk down a high street of boarded-up shops and empty, derelict units, they are looking at nineteen years of SNP failure.

Too many businesses are going bust and high streets are struggling to survive. Small businesses feel hard done by and big business is put off by red tape and an anti-business agenda in government.

We should be making our high streets economically successful, incentivising people to live, work and come together on them.

In my own area in Greenock, people want to see change. They want their high street to be somewhere they can be proud of. 


Scottish Liberal Democrat plans would deliver change with fairness at its heart and put high streets back at the beating heart of our communities.

If that sounds good to you, no matter where you live in Scotland, you should vote for us on your second, peach, regional ballot paper in May.

Scot Lib Dems warn of “farming fuel crisis” as red diesel prices soar

Scottish Liberal Democrat agriculture spokesperson and lead candidate for Mid Scotland & Fife, Claire McLaren has today warned that the skyrocketing cost of red diesel is pushing British farmers to the brink, threatening to send food prices spiralling even further in the midst of the cost of living crisis.

Following the Iran oil shock that has seen global crude prices surge, the cost of red diesel – the lifeblood of British agricultural machinery – has jumped by over 70% in recent weeks. New analysis suggests that the average UK farm now faces an additional £337 million in annual fuel costs, just as the critical spring planting season begins.

Liberal Democrats are calling on the Chancellor to immediately implement the party’s Emergency Transport Package, which includes an immediate 10p per litre cut in fuel duty. This move would provide support for farmers and rural businesses, helping to stabilise food supply chains and protect household budgets.

As the farming cycle begins anew, farmers across the country are reporting red diesel prices as high as £1.30 per litre. The Liberal Democrats have warned that unless the Government acts, these costs will be passed directly to consumers at the checkout. Moreover, the cost of fertiliser has ballooned further piling stress and worry onto the UK’s farmers.

The party is also calling for a Good Food Bill in the upcoming King’s Speech that would legally require the Government to prioritise food security, ensuring Britain becomes more self-sufficient in the face of global unrest and give British farmers the certainty they need to invest in food production.

Scottish Liberal Democrat agriculture spokesperson and lead candidate for Mid Scotland & Fife, Claire McLaren said:

Scottish farmers are being hammered by a double whammy of international instability and Government indifference. From the tractor to the high street, everyone is feeling the consequences of this oil shock.

The price of red diesel is pushing farmers to the brink. This is peak planting season so fuel usage right now is even higher than normal.

The Chancellor cannot stand idly by while our food security is at risk. We are calling for an emergency 10p cut in fuel duty to keep Britain moving and back the farmers who put food on our tables. That’s just part of the Scottish Liberal Democrat plan to bring down the cost of living and support our rural communities.

This UK Government has proven time and again that they simply do not understand farmers. We are in a fuel crisis that affects everyone across the country and what’s Labour’s answer? To look the other way. If you want a party that is committed to supporting farmers, on matter where you are in Scotland, you should back Scottish Liberal Democrats on your peach regional ballot.