Dundee Liberal Democrats today (Tuesday 27th March) welcomed the launch of a new website from North East Scotland leading regional list candidate for the Scottish Parliament, Alison McInnes.
Commenting on today's Education and Skills Committee report into bullying, which he initiated, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson and committee member, Stephen Williams MP said: "Anti-bullying programmes have taken a back seat to political rhetoric about stamping down on discipline and raising standards. But if we cracked bullying, we would see benefits in a lot of other areas too.
Commenting on the Royal Academy of Engineering report into privacy and surveillance, which warns that biometric details could be compromised by terrorists and criminals, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Nick Clegg MP said: "This report confirms that the Government's fascination with big centralised databases carries long-term dangers. There is little merit in pouring huge amounts of taxpayers' money into creating these databases if they not only threaten our privacy but also, as this report predicts, remain vulnerable to being used by terrorists and organised criminals. The Government must now pause in the construction of the surveillance state, which is happening behind the backs of the British people, and ensure a proper public debate before they proceed further."
A national inquiry into the scale of bullying should be undertaken by ministers because of fears that the problem is being downplayed by schools seeking to protect their reputations, a report demands today. New guidance is also needed to ensure that victims who dare to fight back are not suspended or expelled.
A charity believes a 60-year-old study of mental health in Scotland could hold the key to developing new treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's. Help the Aged in Scotland is hoping to raise £13.5m by 2015 to pay for long-term research resulting from the Scottish Mental Survey from 1947.
The NHS drugs watchdog is to face a judicial review in court for the first time over the guidance it offers. Two firms have been granted the review over the way the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence reached its conclusion on Alzheimer's drugs. NICE ruled NHS patients with newly diagnosed, mild Alzheimer's disease should not be prescribed the drugs. Eisai and Pfizer said the process was unfair, but NICE said the claims were without foundation.
