The Rt Hon Malcolm Bruce MP

Malcolm Bruce, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Gordon, has welcomed the announcement that Aberdeen will be one of 27 cities in the UK eligible to bid for a share of £50 million of funding to enable it to become a 'super-connected city' and roll out ultra-fast broadband.

Immediately after the Chancellor of the Exchequer unveiled the new fund in the Budget in March, Mr Bruce contacted the UK Government to make the case for Aberdeen to receive a share of the funding. He highlighted the ongoing campaign to improve broadband in the North East and how improved connectivity would benefit both the local and national economy.

Liberal Democrat MP for Gordon Malcolm Bruce has written to the Chief Executive of Aberdeen City Council regarding the closure of Dubford Road for a week beginning 16^th May.

The MP for Bridge of Don is taking the issue up on behalf of constituents who have raised concerns that the decision to divert traffic down Greenbrae Drive could have a road safety impact on the nearby primary school.

Malcolm Bruce is backing a campaign by leading deafness campaigners which calls on the telecommunications industry to take action to improve deaf people's access to telecommunications. In an open letter to the Chief Executives of BT, O2, Vodafone, Three, Talk Talk, KCom, Virgin Media, Everything Everywhere and BskyB, the signatories including deaf charities, key MPs and other stakeholders state that the industry is failing to address inequalities by delaying the introduction of specialised relay services, which allow deaf people to use telecommunications. The publication of the letter comes during Deaf Awareness Week.

The SNP Government have been accused of" breathtaking complacency" over the threat to jobs and investment as a result of uncertainty over the date and possible outcome of a referendum to take Scotland out of the UK.

Gordon MP Malcolm Bruce has written to SNP energy minister Fergus Ewing, pointing out that claims by the SNP that uncertainty over independence is not a factor in investment decisions beggars belief when almost 40 per cent of companies questioned have identified it as a concern.

The binding agreement which includes the fixed assets and the use of the flybmi website should secure over 300 jobs.

Mr Bruce whose constituency takes in Aberdeen Airport said:

Malcolm Bruce, the Liberal Democrat MP for Gordon was today given the honour of seconding the Loyal Address in Parliament. He backed the future legislative programme with measures to be taken on the economy and growth, banking reform, electricity market reform, flexible working hours and the introduction of a Groceries Code Adjudicator.

Liberal Democrats maintain influence on North East councils

I cannot pretend for a moment that the local elections were not disappointing. I always knew after the reverses we suffered last year and the challenges of being in a coalition during the worst economic crisis since the war that it would be difficult.

Local parliamentarians Alison McInnes MSP, Malcolm Bruce MP and Sir Robert Smith MP are urging voters to back the Lib Dems in the forthcoming local elections.

Alison McInnes, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for North East Scotland, commented: "Lib Dem councillors have played a key role in the North East. The Lib Dem administration in Aberdeenshire has helped the council become one of the best in Scotland, gaining national recognition for its work. In Aberdeen, they have stabilised the council, clearing up the financial mess left by Labour. Voters can put their trust in our councillors and candidates."

Malcolm Bruce, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Gordon, added: "Liberal Democrat councillors fight for local priorities, listen to their communities and deliver good quality value-for-money services. The North East needs councillors who have a proven track record of putting our area and our communities first - not cheerleaders for national governments."

Sir Robert Smith, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, explained: "The North East makes a major contribution to the economy of the UK and Scotland. Lib Dem councillors will stand up for our needs and ensure the Scottish Government gets the message to fund services fairly here."

ENDS

Vote to keep Aberdeenshire local

Local elections on May 3 will shape local priorities for the next four years. Liberal Democrats have led Aberdeenshire Council since it was set up 16 years ago. It has been assessed as a well run council delivering services cost effectively and Aberdeenshire ranks as one of the best places to live and work.

Commenting on the Scottish Government's announcement of its preferred route for the Inveramsay Bridge, Malcolm Bruce, Liberal Democrat MP for Gordon said:

"This announcement is good news for our community and is thanks to the additional capital money made available by the Treasury to the Scottish Government.