SNP TACKLING CHILD POVERTY WHILE TORIES DUCK RESPONSIBILITIES
The new Scottish Child Payment - which has been described as a “game-changer” in the fight to tackle child poverty - will open early for applications this month. MSP Colin Beattie has encouraged parents and carers in Midlothian and East Lothian who are eligible to apply now so that the Scottish Government can process and start making payments as quickly as possible once the benefit starts in February next year. The SNP Government has prioritised the early introduction of the new benefit, which will provide eligible families on low incomes with a child under 6, an extra £10 per week for each child. Latest figures estimate that 194,000 children aged under-6 in Scotland will be eligible for the new Scottish Child Payment – with around 4,100 children in Midlothian and over 4,000 in East Lothian set to benefit. MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie said: “The Scottish Child Payment is an ambitious, game-changing new benefit which will directly tackle child poverty in Midlothian, East Lothian and across Scotland. “This support is needed more than ever, and it’s early introduction for under 6s - almost two years ahead of the original commitment for a new payment - will be a lifeline for so many families in Midlothian and East Lothian. "While the SNP does everything it can to tackle poverty, the Tories at Westminster are still helplessly trying to defend their shameless decision to deprive children of free school meals over the holidays. “Children and families simply shouldn’t have to depend on the whim of Boris Johnson’s callous Tory government to get through this Covid-19 crisis. “This benefit will be a lifeline for many children, young people and their families in Midlothian and East Lothian. I’d encourage anyone who is eligible to apply as soon as possible.”
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LOCAL MSP SAYS REGULATOR MUST DO MORE TO SUPPORT CUSTOMERS
SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh has demanded action after the latest estimations from Which? suggested people in Midlothian and East Lothian could be owed millions in withheld refunds for cancelled trips. Customers across the UK are waiting on more than £1 billion in refunds according to the results of the survey of more than 7,500 people who had a package holiday cancelled as a result of the pandemic. Expressed as proportion of population, the findings of the survey suggest that holidaymakers in Midlothian could be owed nearly £1.4 million, and those in East Lothian could be owed over £1.6 million. Holiday companies are required to refund money within 14 days but the huge number of cancellations has left many of firms overwhelmed. 21% of those surveyed who requested a refund in March were still waiting at the beginning of October. The research also found that the average cost of a cancelled holiday was £1,784. During the summer, the Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation into package travel companies' handling of cancellations and refunds. Commenting on the figures, local SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “For many people, this saga has rumbled on for far too long – it’s time for the UK government and the market regulator to get a hold of this situation. “Times are tough financially for many local families, and while I appreciate holiday companies were inundated with refund requests earlier in the year, we are now in November. “We aren’t talking about spare change here – the average cost of a cancelled holiday was £1,784 according to this survey. “While we all recognise the travel industry’s acute financial difficulties, there can be no excuse for them hoarding the hard-earned cash of their hard-pressed customers. “As a matter of urgency, the UK government needs to set out how travel companies will be supported financially to fulfil their legal obligations to passengers – and take firm action against those who continue to drag their feet. “I would urge anyone in Midlothian or East Lothian who is still waiting on a refund from March to get in touch with my office – I will offer any support I can to make sure you get your money back.” Earlier this month, TSB made the shock announcement that the bank is to close 73 branches in Scotland and cut 300 jobs as part of wider UK cuts. The closures, set to begin in early 2021, represent more than half of the TSB branches currently operating in Scotland. The Dalkeith branch of TSB was amongst these closures.
Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, has subsequently met with representatives from TSB to contest these changes. Colin Beattie MSP commented: “I know that many locally have been disheartened by the news that yet another bank will be closing its local branch. Dalkeith was one of the branches announced within the 73 TSB branch closures across Scotland – more than half of the branches in the country. “I requested an urgent meeting with TSB to discuss the impact that this would have on the community, and to highlight that this closure would be detrimental to the residents of Dalkeith who rely on this service. “I had a long discussion with TSB regarding the closure of the Dalkeith branch, which unfortunately did not result in the desired outcome of keeping the branch open. The representatives informed me that they only have 23 customers per week going into the branch, and due to this there is simply no basis on which they can stay open. “I made it clear to the representatives that a local post office was not an adequate substitute for a branch. Following my negotiations with them on this matter, they agreed that they would set up a facility where they would provide on the ground support for people who need face to face services. This would include, for example, enquiries about mortgages or more complex transactions which might need face to face assistance. This will allow locals to continue to get the financial support they need. “As it stands currently, they need accommodation for the facility, and I am actively working with TSB to look at the options and to help them find some suitable local contacts. Despite the fact it is not feasible to keep the branch open fully, I am glad that they were cooperative in looking towards other means to support the community and to continue providing a service, albeit more limited than what is currently in place. “I look forward to working with them on this proposal, and updating the community about the new services once these have been put in place.” |
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