Scottish Liberal Democrats today urged the SNP government and the parliament to support a progressive approach to prisoner voting rights.

Commenting after the debate, Ms McInnes said:

"A blanket ban on prisoner voting is not a coherent position. We must give a serious look at giving some, short-term prisoners a vote in the referendum.

Charities in the North East are being warned to double check big increases in their water rates following a series of demands from Business Stream, Scottish Water's business arm.

Local Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes has urged local charities to get in touch if they suspect they have been wrongly charged.

Following the public meeting to discuss the proposed closure of Stonehaven's Courts, North East MSP Alison McInnes said: "During the recent consultation the vast majority of respondents disagreed with the planned court cull. This strength and depth of feeling was once again evident at the well-attended public meeting in Stonehaven this evening."

Answers to parliamentary questions from the Liberal Democrats have today revealed that the Scottish Government has no plans to deliver purpose-built justice centres in place of local Sheriff Courts.

This comes after SNP MSP's Christine Grahame and Dave Thompson both said they would support the closure of their local sheriff courts if a purpose-built justice centre would be secured in their area.

North East Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes is encouraging local groups to apply for a share of a new £4million Glasgow 2014 fund that will help bring the Games spirit to the North East.

The Celebrate fund will offer Lottery funding of between £500 and £10,000 to arts, heritage, sports and community groups to hold one-off events to mark the 2014 Commonwealth games. These can focus on the Games themselves or Scotland`s links to other Commonwealth nations and territories.

North East Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes has backed 'see me's latest campaign urging Scots to get talking about mental ill-health and listen to what is being said.

'Just listen. You could change a life.' is the message of the latest campaign from 'see me', Scotland`s national campaign to end the stigma and discrimination of mental ill-health. Talking openly about mental ill-health isn`t always easy but with someone there to listen, it could change a life.

Scottish Liberal Democrats plan to propose amendments to the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill that would seek to enable offenders serving short-term sentences to vote in the referendum on Scottish independence in 2014.

The party's justice spokesperson, Alison McInnes MSP, has urged that there be a measured and responsible approach to a debate on the issue, explaining that such a move could help contribute towards the rehabilitation of offenders as they prepare to return to society.

Commenting on news that Polmont Young Offenders Institution is to work with Education Scotland in order to motivate offenders and tackle reoffending, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said: "I recently visited Polmont YOI offenders on behalf of the justice committee. The new governor was clear on the need to respond to the criticisms in HM Inspector of Prison's report, and it is good to see some progress being made. On average, inmates at Polmont have the reading and writing skills of 1st year secondary school pupils. Improving those skills will be key to turning these young men's lives around."

North East Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes today welcomed the news that the Scottish Government is to cap the amount Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council will have to pay towards the £745m cost of the Aberdeen western peripheral route.

Transport Minister Keith Brown has said the two councils will not have to pay more than £75m each. It means the Scottish Government will pay 81% and the councils 9.5% each.

North East Liberal Democrats have welcomed the news that East Garioch councillor Fergus Hood has resigned from the SNP group on Aberdeenshire Council to join the Lib Dems.

North East Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes commented: "I am sure Fergus will be an asset to the party and help the administration provide the best of services for the people of Aberdeenshire."