Back from three weeks away, time to pick up the party’s press releases again…

• Water bills: High time Ofwat were replaced
• UK-Germany treaty: A positive step forward
• Erasmus: Disappointing that Govt will not rejoin scheme
• 170+ artists slam SNP culture cuts
• Scot Lib Dems comment as FM and Chancellor meet

Water bills: High time Ofwat were replaced

Responding to comments from water firms that despite rising bills for consumers, companies claim this isn’t enough to stop sewage spills, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:

It’s an absolute outrage that British families face sky high bills that continue to rise, whilst water firm CEOs pocket millions of pounds in bonuses, and all the while filthy sewage continues to destroy our seas and rivers.

It’s clear to see that the current regulator Ofwat is not fit for purpose, and it’s high time they were replaced. That is why the Liberal Democrats have been calling for a new regulator to crack down on water companies and hold them accountable to end this sewage scandal once and for all.

UK-Germany treaty: A positive step forward

Responding to UK-Germany treaty talks, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran MP said:

This is a positive step forward after years of the Conservatives trashing the UK’s relationship with Europe.

But the new Government needs to be more ambitious about rebuilding stronger ties with our European allies.

That should start with agreeing a Youth Mobility Scheme giving young people the opportunity to easily live and work across the continent.

Erasmus: Disappointing that Govt will not rejoin scheme

Responding to the news that the Labour Government are not looking at rejoining the Erasmus Scheme, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said:

It’s disappointing to see the new Labour Government not look at rejoining the Erasmus Scheme.

The scheme provides a fantastic opportunity for young people to study, teach and volunteer abroad.

The new Government should be more ambitious about rebuilding stronger relationships with our European neighbours.

170+ artists slam SNP culture cuts

Responding to the open letter from more than 170 artists including Biffy Clyro, Paolo Nutini and Young Fathers demanding the immediate reinstatement of Creative Scotland’s Open Fund, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

Culture and the arts are one of our most successful international exports and are a magnet for tourism. The Edinburgh festival alone sells 3 million tickets in just 4 weeks – that’s a crowd to rival major events throughout the world.

Creative Scotland helps new artistic talent grow. There can be no excuse for the damage the Scottish Government are about to inflict upon the cultural sector by choking off funding.

Over the past two years, Creative Scotland and everyone who looks to it for essential funding have repeatedly been messed around. Money has been repeatedly promised and then snatched away, leaving people feeling betrayed. It’s clear that SNP ministers regard the arts as a soft target when it comes to raiding budgets to fill holes created by their own mismanagement of the economy.

Scot Lib Dems comment as FM and Chancellor meet

Responding to today’s meeting between First Minister John Swinney and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

It doesn’t take a degree in economics to work out that if you go four times over budget building ferries, sell off Scotland’s prize seabed on the cheap and hand £50m to an engineering firm that goes bust, there will be less money to go round for public services.

The nationalists have got themselves in a mess because their focus has always been on breaking up the UK, not delivering public services.

There’s an urgent need to get the economy growing, bring down NHS waiting lists and lift up Scottish education. I hope that the Chancellor and the First Minister discussed ways they could work together to make that a reality.