• John Prescott: his legacy will be remembered far into the future
• Ofwat on water bill rises: once again the regulator is proving itself unfit for purpose
• ICC arrest warrants for Hamas and Netanyahu: UK government must uphold ruling
• Carers UK research: Government must recognise the critical role carers play
• Rennie comments on long-awaited Glen Sannox delivery
• Minister refuses to apologise for wasting £30m on social care failure

John Prescott: his legacy will be remembered far into the future

Responding to the news of John Prescott passing away, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

I am deeply saddened by the news of John Prescott passing away and my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.

John Prescott will be remembered as a towering figure in British politics and his unwavering tenacity on the causes he championed should be a lesson to us all.

His influence on our modern society will still be felt for years to come and his legacy remembered far into the future.

Ofwat on water bill rises: once again the regulator is proving itself unfit for purpose

Responding to comments by the Ofwat Chief Executive on the Today Programme this morning where he said that water bills will likely go up by more than initially expected, Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:

Customers have been forced to watch whilst filthy sewage wrecks their local environment as they pay through the nose for the pleasure.

Once again the regulator is proving itself utterly unfit for purpose.

The whole industry needs to be ripped up from top to bottom, overseen by a new regulator with real powers to clamp down on these polluting firms.

ICC arrest warrants for Hamas and Netanyahu: UK government must uphold ruling

Responding to the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants for both Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Calum Miller MP said:

The previous Conservative Government denigrated the International Criminal Court and undermined the UK’s standing on the world stage. It is vital that the new Government complies with our obligations under international law by committing to upholding this ruling, including enforcing arrest warrants.

The ICC must be free to conduct its work without fear or favour. This is a very significant decision by the court. It reflects the devastating impact that the war between Hamas and Israel has had on many civilians.

We urgently need an immediate bilateral ceasefire to put a stop to the humanitarian devastation in Gaza, get the hostages home and open the door to a two-state solution.

Carers UK research: Government must recognise the critical role carers play

Responding to Carers UK research putting the economic value of care provided by unpaid carers at £184 billion a year, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

Despite contributing so much to our society, carers are still not getting the help they deserve.

Family carers are the backbone of support for thousands of Scots, but just a third of them say they have the support they need.

Thanks to the Liberal Democrats, they now have the right to Carer’s Leave, to better balance work and caring responsibilities. And thanks to Ed Davey, carers in England will now be allowed to earn more at work before they lose their Carer’s Allowance.

They deserve the same deal here in Scotland. With Carer’s Allowance being devolved this winter, I want to see the First Minister lifting the earnings limit and ending the cliff edge that is forcing so many carers into poverty.

Rennie comments on long-awaited Glen Sannox delivery

Responding to the news that the long-delayed Glen Sannox has finally been delivered by the Ferguson shipyard, Scottish Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie MSP said:

At least we’ll be able to see out the windows this time.

Ask the SNP to build a ferry and they’ll give you a fake launch, years of delays, a stream of excuses and a ship that’s millions of pounds overbudget.

Not a single minister has ever resigned over this scandal; no minister has ever apologised to islanders or compensated them for the disruption. It’s a massive display of arrogance that island communities won’t forget.

Minister refuses to apologise for wasting £30m on social care failure

Speaking after the Scottish Government’s statement on social care, Willie Rennie MSP said:

I asked the minister whether she felt embarrassed to see organisation after organisation refusing to support her unworkable proposals.

It has cost £30m over four years and achieved nothing, at a time when £13m has been cut by the social care partnership in Fife. This will mean fewer people getting care and services going to the wall.

The minister responded to my question saying she makes no apology.

There seems to be no limit to the time and the money she will spend on this failed project.