STRONG START FOR SCOTTISH NATIONAL INVESTMENT BANK
Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh has said that SNP Budget plans to ensure a strong start for the Scottish National Investment Bank, and its mission to drive the transition to a net zero economy, will encourage economic growth across Midlothian and East Lothian. The 2020/21 Budget, set out by SNP Finance Minister Kate Forbes, will provide £220 million of fresh seed funding to help Scotland meets its ambitious climate change targets, by financing companies and projects in Midlothian and East Lothian which are working towards the achievement of net-zero emissions. The Scottish National Investment Bank is on track to become fully operational during 2020 following parliamentary approval at Stage 3 of the Bill in January 2020. Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “The Scottish National Investment Bank has the potential to transform communities here in Midlothian and East Lothian, help us reach our world-leading climate targets, and ensure Scotland’s economy is fit for the future. “Operating within a core set of principles, the bank will increase investment in local businesses and community projects in Midlothian and East Lothian that are looking to play their part in tackling the climate crisis and reach net-zero emissions. “We know that small businesses are the backbone of our communities in Midlothian and East Lothian, and I hope that opposition MSPs can get behind these plans to support business, boost our local economy, and drive Scotland towards a low carbon economy.
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SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, has challenged his political opponents across Midlothian and East Lothian to get behind plans that will hand Scotland’s police force an extra £37 million.
Last week, the SNP Government outlined its 2020/21 budget that also promises a further £6.5 million for community justice interventions as part of efforts to reduce reoffending rates – while investing capital funding of nearly £70 million for the prisons estate. The Scottish Government has now exceeded its previous commitment to protect the police resource budget in real terms in every year of this Parliament – ensuring Police Scotland have the money to maintain officer numbers at current levels. Under the SNP, we have recruited an additional 1,000 police officers and have a higher number of officers than at any time during the previous Labour-Lib Dem administration. Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “The Scottish Government’s plans will offer an additional £37 million for the police resource budget while investing £6.5 million to directly tackle reoffending rates. “The work of our local police force across our community is invaluable. “Our police officers are some of the most heroic and dedicated public servants – I am urging MSPs from across Midlothian and East Lothian to get behind plans that deliver for them.” Chief Constable of Police Scotland Iain Livingstone has also welcomed the announcement, commenting: “I have made our financial situation clear in recent weeks and I welcome the package announced by the Scottish Government today. "The creation of a single national service has enabled responsive and visible local policing to be maintained and transformed how we deal with serious crime and major incidents.” FAMILIES IN MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN TO SAVE £4,500 PER CHILD PER YEAR UNDER BUDGET PLANS
SNP MSP, Colin Beattie, has hailed a Scottish Government announcement which would commit £645 million to expand early learning and childcare provision across Scotland and save families in Midlothian and East Lothian £4,500 per child a year. Announcing the Scottish Government’s draft budget proposals for 2020/21 in Holyrood, SNP Minister Kate Forbes announced investment that will support the SNP’s plan to almost double the free provision of childcare to 1140 hours from August 2020 for all 3 and 4 year olds and eligible 2 year olds As well as improving outcomes for children, this investment will save families up to £4,500 per child per year and give parents and carers more choice over how they access their child’s funded hours and flexibility to explore work, education or training opportunities. The Scottish Government will also invest £180 million in raising attainment in schools, and support the building, refurbishment and extension of around 880 nurseries. By the end of this parliament, childcare spending will have more than doubled to £990 million. Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh said: “This commitment from the SNP to almost double the provision of free childcare will help ensure children across Midlothian and East Lothian are given the best possible start in life, and Scotland becomes the best place in the world to grow up. “That £645 million investment will save families in Midlothian and East Lothian up to £4,500 per child per year and give parents and carers more choice over how they access their child’s funded hours and flexibility to explore work, education or training opportunities. “A massive investment in childcare is something that MSPs of all parties can get behind – I hope to see my political opponents back the Scottish Government’s plans in Parliament next month.” LOCAL MSPS CHALLENGED TO BACK BOOST FOR MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHAIN HEALTH SERVICES
SNP MSP Colin Beattie has called on his political opponents across Midlothian and East Lothian to get behind the Scottish Government’s draft budget proposals that commits a record £15 billion for health and care services. Last week, the SNP Government announced plans to increase spending on health services by £1 billion – with local health and social care partnerships earmarked to receive nearly £9.5 billion. MSPs will vote on draft budget proposals next month, that includes £117 million for mental health funding. Under the SNP, Scotland has the best performing A&E in the UK with the number of people working in our health service reaching historic levels. Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, said: “The SNP in government is investing record amounts in our NHS, to build a health service fit for the future. “For the first time ever, this budget provides funding of over £15 billion for our health and care services. “As a cherished public service for the past seventy years, MSPs must do all we can to ensure our health service is properly funded. “That’s why I’m calling on my political opponents across Midlothian and East Lothian to get behind the SNP’s plans that will protect our NHS – ensuring it remains safe in public hands, not put at risk of privatisation by Westminster. 1,290 East Lothian families and 1,405 Midlothian families have benefitted from new welfare payments introduced by the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Government opened the Best Start Grant for applications in December 2018. The payment provides parents or carers who get certain benefits or tax credits with financial support during the key early years of a child's life. In the first year of their introduction, payments worth £367,657 have been made to East Lothian families and £274,491 to Midlothian families. The Best Start Grant provides payments to eligible families at the birth of children, at nursery age and at school age. Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “The SNP are determined to use our powers to build a social security system built on dignity and respect. “The Best Start Grant provides crucial financial support to families at key stages of their children’s lives, and I’m delighted that thousands of families in East Lothian and Midlothian have already benefitted. “This is just one of the ways the SNP in government are working to tackle child poverty – with the first payments of our innovative new Scottish Child Payment set to be made this year. “Sadly the need to mitigate Tory cuts like the Bedroom Tax leaves us working with one hand tied behind our back. “It’s time for Scotland to have full control of all social security powers so that we can build a fairer country.” SCOTS CONTINUE TO GET BETTER DEAL UNDER SNP
SNP MSP Colin Beattie has praised the “vision and leadership” of the Scottish budget announced today – which contains record investment for health and social care. The budget also contains a package of measures to support the Scottish Government’s world-leading ambitions to tackle climate change, support families and tackle poverty. For the first time, the budget provides funding of over £15 billion for health and care services, including the capital for elective care centres and investment in mental health. Scotland continues to have the fairest and most progressive income tax system in the UK, with more than half of taxpayers paying less income tax in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK. The budget also includes:
“This is a progressive and ambitious budget that demonstrates the vision and leadership of the SNP in government – supporting our public services, helping family incomes and tackling climate change. “This budget is set against the backdrop of heightened uncertainty and risk, created by the UK Government following their decision to delay the UK Budget until March – as well as the complete uncertainty over our future relationship with Europe. “Despite this, we’re seeing record investment in our NHS and more money for police, rail services and low carbon infrastructure. “Most taxpayers will continue to pay less than they would elsewhere in the UK, and no taxpayer will pay more on their current income. “This means that Scots will continue to get a better deal under the SNP. “People across Midlothian and East Lothian will welcome this package of investment and our focus on fairness – and I look forward to it passing through the parliamentary process.” SNP MSP BACKS NHS PROTECTION FROM US TRADE DEALS
SNP MSP, Colin Beattie, has backed a bill to protect Scotland’s NHS from privatisation or increased drug fees as a result of UK trade deals. Peter Grant MP for Glenrothes will bring the ‘NHS Protection Bill’ to the House of Commons tomorrow – aiming to prevent future UK Governments from signing up to trade agreements that could threaten the foundations of the health service. The SNP’s bill would also give the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish Parliaments and Assemblies a final say over whether trade deals impact on their NHS. The proposal was a key pledge in the SNP’s manifesto in the recent General Election, which saw the party win overwhelmingly in Scotland. Commenting, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, said: "Each of the four UK Health services are precious to those who use them and it is our duty, as elected representatives, to do everything we can to ensure our health services are protected. “But while the Scottish Parliament has control of most aspects of health policy, we currently cannot stop Westminster governments from entering into trade deals that potentially put our NHS here in Midlothian and East Lothian at a variety of risks. “That is why I’m backing this proposal to protect our NHS from US style privatisation. “If parties are genuine in their commitment to keep the NHS out of trade deals, then there should be no politician that can’t back this bill– helping us stop any future Westminster government from trading away our most cherished public resource. “Our NHS has been there to care for and protect us for the last 70 years – now it’s our turn to stand up and protect the NHS.” |
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April 2023
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