SNP MSP Colin Beattie has said the Scottish Government’s proposals will go a long way to improving the health of the community in Midlothian North and Musselburgh.
The SNP Scottish Government announced plans to establish a Mental Health and Capacity Reform Programme as part of modernising mental health and capacity legislation, enhancing the protection of people’s rights. The First Minister also committed to taking action to reduce vaping, tackling their environmental impact and consulting on the banning of disposable vapes. Commenting, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, said: “The First Minister’s Programme for Government demonstrates the SNP’s commitment to improving the lives and wellbeing of people across Midlothian North and Musselburgh. “The SNP Scottish Government recognises that too many Scots are dealing with mental health challenges, which are only compounded by cost-of-living pressures, and is determined to take meaningful action to ensure people get the support they need. “The SNP is also aware of concerns regarding the impact of vaping, both on the increasing number of young people using vapes and on the environment. I am very pleased to see steps being taken to address the impact of these devices. “As Westminster continues in its intransigence, refusing to take meaningful action to support people during these difficult times, the SNP Scottish Government is determined to do all it can to support people with health issues and protect our environment.” ENDS NOTES The First Minister’s Programme for Government can be found here.
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SNP ONLY PARTY OFFERING REAL CHANGE WITH INDEPENDENCE Colin Beattie, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, has warned that damaging Tory and Labour policies are cutting the incomes of thousands of working families after new analysis revealed 2,670 children across Midlothian and East Lothian are impacted by the two child benefit cap.
The analysis, conducted by the SNP using the latest available data from the UK Government Department for Work and Pensions, found that 2,670 children in Midlothian and East Lothian are missing out on receiving vital financial support due to the Westminster two child benefit cap. These findings come on the back of the Labour Party admitting it would keep the Tory two child cap, a policy which has pushed more than 20,000 Scottish children into poverty. In sharp contrast the SNP Government has lifted 90,000 children out of absolute poverty thanks to policies such as the game changing Scottish Child Payment. Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “Damaging Westminster policies are cutting the incomes of families across Midlothian North and Musselburgh who are struggling to make ends meet. “The revelation that 2,670 children in Midlothian and East Lothian are being harmed by the Tory’s cruel two child limit policy is shameful – The SNP Government’s national mission to eradicate child poverty is being undermined by Westminster at every step. “In the Scottish Parliament this week the SNP backed a motion calling out cruel Westminster welfare policies. All the while Labour MSPs sat on their hands and failed to oppose a policy harming 2,670 children in Midlothian and East Lothian. “Families across Midlothian North and Musselburgh are suffering like never before – and while Labour under orders from their London bosses are happy to see this continue – the SNP will stand up against harmful Westminster policies at every opportunity.” ENDS SNP MSP Colin Beattie has said the announcement of a new Scottish Education Exchange Programme in the First Minister’s Programme for Government will “open countless doors for young people across Midlothian North and Musselburgh”.
The SNP Scottish Government is to launch a new exchange programme which would prioritise placements for disadvantaged young people, following an initial test and learn project this year. Principal of the University of Glasgow, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, has welcomed the programme, saying “the return on this investment could be immense” for young people across Scotland. Commenting, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, said: “The new Scottish Education Exchange Programme will transform the life experience and open doors for young people across Midlothian North and Musselburgh. “The First Minister’s ambition for young people in Scotland is clear, and the SNP Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all youngsters, regardless of their background, have equal opportunities to learn and thrive. “Programmes like this not only enrich the lives of young people by offering them a chance to study abroad and broaden their horizons, they also improve communities like Midlothian North and Musselburgh. “In the face of a Tory Government at Westminster which continues to deny young people participation in Erasmus+, and a Labour party which refuses to even acknowledge the damage caused by Brexit, the SNP is determined to support the youngest members of our society. “I am thrilled to see the First Minister’s further investment in young people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh.” SNP MSP Colin Beattie, has welcomed the news that a pay deal has been agreed for all police officers in Midlothian North and Musselburgh.
A 7% increase to pay and allowances, which will be backdated to 1st April 2023, ensures a cumulative increase of 12.35% in police officer pay since April 2022. The agreement was reached following extensive dialogue and negotiation through the Police Negotiating Board (PNB) – a body made up of representatives from the Scottish Police Authority, Police Scotland, the Scottish Government, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS), Scottish Police Federation (SPF) and the Scottish Chief Police Officers Staff Association (SCPOSA). Police officers in Midlothian North and Musselburgh perform an essential role in keeping local communities safe and SNP MSP Colin Beattie has said that this pay deal recognises the hard work and valuable contribution they make to daily life. Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “Police officers perform an essential role in keeping communities across Midlothian North and Musselburgh safe and this pay deal recognises their hard work and valuable contribution. “Despite the difficult financial environment created by Westminster, I strongly welcome the direct action taken by the SNP Government to invest £11.6 billion in policing since 2013 to ensure that people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh remain safe. “I would like to recognise and thank those on the Police Negotiating Board who worked in good faith to achieve an agreement that works for all parties involved. “In Scotland we have an SNP Government that is committed to keeping communities in Midlothian North and Musselburgh safe - whilst also working to support those responsible for doing so through the Westminster cost-of-living crisis.” ENDS Click Today First Minister, Humza Yousaf announced a Programme for Government (PfG) for 2023-24 that builds on the three missions to deliver: equality; opportunity; community.
Commenting on the PfG, Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh said “This PfG will benefit my constituents in Midlothian North and Musselburgh as it puts us on a path towards tackling some of the big issues facing the country. Many of the announcements made today by First Minister Humza Yousaf deal with the issues that are areas of concern for my constituents. I welcome plans to ban single use vapes in Scotland as part of plans to protect public health, our young people and the environment. I am pleased that Private and voluntary sector staff working in Adult Social Care, Children’s Services and Early Learning will now receive at least £12 an hour from April. I am encouraged that we will make further preparation for the expansion of universal Free School Meals for all pupils in primaries six and seven. These are just some of this years program that will build upon the success of the Scottish Child Payment, that benefits 11,495 children in East Lothian and Midlothian. By making choices in Scotland that are socially just, we have used the Scottish Government’s fixed budget and limited powers to tackle inequality and poverty and protect people, as far as possible. This has protected us from the harm inflicted by UK Government cuts and austerity, as well as the ongoing cost of living crisis. This government continues to support key pillars that were long abandoned elsewhere in the UK, such as free education, free prescriptions, free personal care and so much more. Despite the increasingly challenging context that we face, the SNP Government has successfully balanced the Scottish Budget every year; and this Programme for Government continues our mission to protect the most vulnerable “. |
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