5 Most Recent News Stories

Brown: Reoffending figures appallingly high

12.01.00am GMT Wed 10th Mar 2010

Scottish Government statistics released today show that the numbers of convicted criminals that go on to re-offend are shockingly high. 36% of individuals sentenced to custody (for their most recent conviction) in 2008-09, for a crime or relevant offence, had more than 10 previous convictions between 1999-00 and 2008-09.

Commenting Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesman Robert Brown MSP said:

“These figures show that rates of reoffending are appallingly high.

“Offenders frequently come out of prison as more hardened offenders than when they went in - and all at huge cost to the public purse.

“The fact that bail-related offences have risen to 16% per cent is also alarming. When Sheriffs make decisions on whether to grant bail, they need to take into account the relative risk of the accused committing further offences.

“Sentences of all kinds imposed on offenders must be more focused and more effective. The big gain can be made with community sentences where reoffending is much less – but they must be properly supported and targeted.

“ We want to see the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill replace sentences of 3 months or less, which are expensive and don’t work, with tough community payback orders, where offenders work to pay back the communities they have damaged.”

SNP must respond to depressing teeth figures - Finnie

12.01.00am GMT Wed 10th Mar 2010

Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP has revealed that almost a quarter of men and over a third of women over 55 are estimated to have no natural teeth.

Figures released in an answer to a Parliamentary Question also showed that around 3% of 35-54 year olds have no natural teeth.

The previous Executive set a target in 2005 for 90% of adults to possess some natural teeth by 2010.

Commenting, Mr Finnie said:

"This is a depressing indictment of Scotland's dental health.

"Almost a quarter of men over 55 and over a third of women over 55 don't have any of their own teeth.

"Unless the Scottish Government takes drastic action, they won't meet the target set by the previous Government.

"Improving Scotland's diet is essential. Our sweet tooth is not only taking its toll on our waistlines, it's hitting our teeth too. Regular dental checks are also very important. We know that in some parts of the country, people still simply can't get an NHS dentist.

"The Scottish Government needs to sort this out."

Brown: Never any justification for domestic abuse

12.01.00am GMT Wed 10th Mar 2010

More than 2,000 people were arrested during a two-month crackdown on domestic violence, Scotland's biggest police force said today. During an eight-week campaign, Strathclyde Police officers attended 3,961 incidents of domestic abuse, though that was a 24% drop in the number of such incidents reported to police in the same two-month period a year ago. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesman Robert Brown said:

“It is deplorable that domestic abuse is still so frequently tolerated in Scotland.

“The damage done to individuals, families and often children who are innocent bystanders or victims to these events, is enormous.

“I welcome the police targeted crackdown on domestic violence. Indeed, we want to see a true zero tolerance approach to this problem.

“Officers at Strathclyde police have done some great work done during their recent two month crackdown in an effort to tackle this challenge.

“The fact that there was a drop in the number of such incidents from this time last year shows that progress is being made - but it must not be forgotten that much still has to be done.

“There is never any justification or excuse for domestic violence.”

Purvis: Veterans must be given same care as in England

12.01.00am GMT Wed 10th Mar 2010

The Scottish government has announced that it will give £80,000 to fund veteran’s projects, including supported accommodation and outdoor pursuits to help veterans regain physical and mental strength. Commenting Convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Supporting Veterans in Scotland, Liberal Democrat Jeremy Purvis MSP said:

We welcome this cash injection from the Scottish government to support veterans whose bravery should never be forgotten.

“However the challenge was set when the UK Government announced the extension of priority medical care to veterans in England and Wales, no comparable extensions has been announced in Scotland.

“This is the challenge that the Scottish Government should be considering to make sure there is not a gap in support north or south of the border.

Smith: Raising attainment must be motivation for change

12.01.00am GMT Wed 10th Mar 2010

Commenting on Conservative calls for 'radical change' in Scotland's education system, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Margaret Smith said:

"Education is about ceaselessly learning from the world's best examples and this goes for improving schooling as well.

"Through our own Education Working group and through my work on the Parliamentary Education Committee, we will continue to look at other ways of structuring education around the world.

"We are willing to look at changes so long as the motivation is raising attainment and opportunity in schools, rather than dogma.

"Scotland's future is not worth change for change's sake.

"A whole new curriculum and new qualifications are imminent at a time when our schools are suffering from budget cuts and falling teacher numbers .

"During this perfect educational storm, I doubt that massive structural change will be seen as a priority by teachers and headteachers

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