The Scottish Liberal Democrats have today said it should be “full steam ahead” on plans to reopen railway lines across Scotland, and Deeside and Peterhead could be among those that gets the green light.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have announced proposals to extend free early learning and childcare (ELC), close the poverty-related attainment gap, and help parents who want to return to work.

The number of people aged between 18 and 24 now claiming unemployment related benefits in Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City has more than doubled over the past year. From 1,385 to 2,985, a rise of 115%. Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for the North East, Rosemary Bruce, has said the exponential rise is even more reason to "put recovery first".

Carers must be better recognised in the next Scottish Parliament with guaranteed respite support and a renewed 2016 Carer's Act to learn the lessons of the pandemic, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have said.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have announced plans to cut energy bills and tackle fuel poverty by declaring home insulation a national strategic priority, doubling fuel poverty budgets and increasing incentives for all homes.

North East candidate Rosemary Bruce and the Scottish Liberal Democrats have announced their bold plans to shake up the business rates system and to lower the tax burden for smaller businesses struggling to compete with bigger online competitors.

Lib Dem candidate for Angus & Mearns Michael Turvey has offered his help to a local community charity, the Brechin Healthcare Group, who are campaigning to transform the former Brechin Infirmary site into a new Health & Wellbeing Hub.

As nominations close, Scottish Liberal Democrats have announced their list of candidates for the North East of Scotland and are pledging their commitment to make recovery from the pandemic their number one priority as MSPs.

Responding to the announcement from Alex Salmond that he will stand for the Scottish Parliament on the North East Scotland list, lead candidate for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Rosemary Bruce said:

“Alex Salmond is yesterday’s man. He has spent the last year publicly battling with the party for which he was leader for over two decades.

The Scottish Liberal Democrat's lead candidate for the North East, Rosemary Bruce has welcomed a landmark Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) transition deal with the UK Government, describing it as a 'vital cornerstone in our transition to a green economy'.