​BOOST FOR MIDLOTHIAN NORTH YOUNG PEOPLE IN WORLD CUP AND COMMONWEALTH GAMES YEAR
 
Local MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed the £229,000 given to Midlothian as part of the ‘summer of sport’ programme for schoolchildren in Midlothian North by the Scottish Government - part of £12m awarded to local authorities across Scotland. 
 
Over the summer, thousands of young Scots benefit from a range of free and low-cost sport activities, freeing up time for hardworking families and promoting healthy living.  
 
The £20m total fund came as part of the recent Scottish Budget, which also set the ball rolling on the SNPs plan to expand free swimming lessons to every single primary school child in Scotland. 
 
The fund is supporting young people getting involved in sports in a year to remember for sports in Scotland - returning to the World Cup for the first time in nearly 30 years and hosting the Commonwealth games. 
 
Commenting, local MSP Colin Beattie said:  
 
“I’m really pleased that young people in Midlothian North are set to benefit from the summer of sport funding, something I was proud to back as part of the SNP government's budget for this year.
 
“Between the World Cup and hosting the Commonwealth games, this has been a year to remember for sport in Scotland, and I hope this funding will contribute to that feeling for our young people.
 
“The SNP is taking action to improve the opportunities and livelihoods of our young people here in Midlothian North and across Scotland.”  
 
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MSP WELCOMES RECORD NUMBER OF 18-YEAR-OLDS SECURING UNI PLACE
 
MSP for Midlothian North, Colin Beattie, has hailed new figures that show a record number of 18-year-olds securing a place at university.
 
UCAS figures reveal the number increased to 17,920 – a record high for Scottish students on exam results day, up from 17,350 the previous year.
 
Importantly, this includes a record high number of 18-year-olds from Scotland’s most deprived areas, up by almost 7% to 2,090. Overall acceptances to university – by Scots of all ages – has reached 32,370.
 
The data highlights the positive impact of the SNP’s longstanding commitment to free tuition and widening access.
 
Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said:
 
“This is fantastic news for young people in Midlothian North and across Scotland. A record number of 18-year-olds securing a place at university is testament to their hard work and the support of their families and teachers.
 
“It is particularly welcome that record numbers of young people from Scotland’s most deprived areas have fulfilled their ambition to go to university.
 
“At a time when students in other parts of the UK face eyewatering levels of debt, the SNP’s continued commitment to free tuition is opening opportunities for young people here in Midlothian North.
 
“Exam results this week show that poverty related attainment gap has narrowed thanks to the SNP government investing £1.75 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the past decade.
 
“Of course, university isn’t the right choice for everyone and that’s why it is so welcome to see record a record number of vocational and technical qualifications being achieved by students this year.
 
“The SNP will always be committed to ensuring that access to education is based on the ability to learn and not the ability to pay, and that the opportunity of a university education is available to everyone.”
 
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ATTAINMENT GAP NARROWS AS MSP HIGHLIGHTS SUPPORT FOR NEXT STEPS
 
Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North has praised the hard work of learners and teachers with exam passes up at all levels.
 
As students across Midlothian North receive their exam results, pass rates for National 5, Highers and Advanced Highers have all increased again, including a record number of National 5 passes.
 
Meanwhile, learners have also achieved a record number of vocational and technical qualifications, up by 121% on pre-pandemic levels.
 
The results also show that the poverty related attainment gap has narrowed compared with last year and pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
 
Now, Colin Beattie MSP has highlighted support available to help pupils and families take their next steps with confidence.
 
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) offers a free Results Helpline, providing expert advice on everything from:
 
- UCAS confirmation and clearing
- College and university vacancies
- Foundation, Modern, and Graduate Apprenticeships
- Job, volunteering, and training opportunities
- Staying on at school
 
The helpline, staffed by experienced careers advisers, is available at 0808 100 8000, open from 8am to 8pm on the 4th and 5th August, and 9am to 5pm on the 6th and 7th. Locally, students can also access one-to-one guidance by dropping into a SDS Careers Centre, open throughout Results Week.
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“Today is a moment of pride for so many young people, their families and teachers - I want to congratulate everyone in Midlothian North.
 
“Across the Scotland, pass rates have increased with a record number of National 5 passes and our learners have also achieved a record number of vocational and technical qualifications – that’s something our schools, colleges and young people should be proud of.
 
“John Swinney is focussed on narrowing the attainment gap and having empowered headteachers and invested £1.75 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the past decade, I am particularly delighted to see that gap narrow today. 
 
“Today can be a whirlwind of emotions, with some experiencing joy, relief, disappointment, or uncertainty - that’s why we have ensured every young person has access to free, professional guidance. There is no wrong path.
 
“Equality of opportunity is something the SNP Scottish Government will always put front and centre of our education system – today reflects that and I wish all young people in Midlothian North all the very best in whatever they choose to do next.”
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SNP POLICY GIVES CASH SUPPORT TO FAMILIES IN MIDLOTHIAN WITH KIDS IN HOSPITAL 
 
Midlothian North MSP has today welcomed figures from the Scottish Government showing 2,216 families have received financial support while their children undergo a stay in hospital.
 
Through the Young Patients Family Fund, the SNP Scottish Government has provided £532,535 to families across the Lothian region in the 2025/26 financial year.
 
The YPFF is a Scottish Government scheme providing financial help for travel, food, and accommodation costs to parents, primary carers, and siblings (under 18) visiting a young inpatient in a hospital. 
 
Launched by the SNP Scottish Government in 2021, the unique to Scotland fund has helped thousands of families through the difficult experience of a young loved one undergoing a long stay in hospital.
 
Commenting, Colin Beattie said: 
 
“This money makes a real difference to families in what can be a very difficult time so it’s great to see that the Young Patients Family Fund has supported 2,216 families in the Lothians over the last year.
 
“That cash support is vital in helping parents visit their children in hospital, giving that extra bit of support for families in their time of need – this policy is unique to Scotland, having been in place for five years now, and I am proud that we’ve taken the decision to step in here. 
 
“We know any time in hospital can be stressful for children and their family, so it is absolutely right that we try to relieve some of that difficulty for families not just here in Midlothian, but across Scotland.”
  
“Whether is 1,140 hours of free childcare, expanding breakfast clubs, the baby box, or the Young Patients Family Fund, the SNP is committed to ensuring Scotland is the very best place to raise a family.”
 
ENDS

SNP CERVICAL CANCER PROGRAMME WORKING BUT NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENY 
 
Local MSP Colin Beattie has encouraged residents to get the HPV vaccine to help fight cervical cancer. 
 
In Scotland, HPV vaccination is routinely offered to pupils in S1 (around age 12) and re-offered in subsequent years (S2-S4) - with figures showing an around 79.8% coverage rate in Midlothian by the end of S4.
 
A study in 2024 showed no cervical cancer cases have been detected in fully vaccinated women following HPV immunisation at age 12-13 since the programme started in Scotland in 2008.
 
However, Scotland wide figures have shown a decline in the overall rate of vaccination over the last ten years - down from 93.3% in 2015/16, to 82.9% in 2024/25 - showing that progress is not linear.
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: 
 
"The HPV vaccine is really important and Scotland has high rates of vaccination, but these figures show we cannot be complacent about that progress. 

“The SNP Scottish Government started this successful programme and, while we know no cervical cancer cases have been detected in women fully vaccinated at 12-13, we need vaccination rates to remain high.  
 
"It's for that reason that I would encourage everyone here in Midlothian who is eligible for the HPV vaccine to get it and continue the fight against cervical cancer and other forms of cancer that stem from HPV.”
 
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SNP MSP COLIN BEATTIE: SCOTLAND LEADING THE WAY IN PROVISION OF PUBLIC CHARGE POINTS
 
Local SNP MSP Colin Beattie has said that Scotland continues to lead the way in the provision of public electric vehicle (EV) charging points as new figures showed there are over 12,672 across the country, including 222 in Midlothian.  
 
In 2024, Scotland reached its target of installing more than 6,000 public EV charge points, two years ahead of the 2026 target. 
 
Scotland continues to have the highest number of public charging devices per head of population of any UK nation.
 
The SNP Government is committed to making sustainable travel accessible to everyone.
 
SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: 
 
“I welcome the news that there are now 222 public electric vehicle charging points working in Midlothian. 
 
“On the back of scrapping peak rail fares on Scotland’s trains, this is further evidence of the SNP Government’s commitment to making sustainable travel accessible for everyone in Scotland.
 
“I will continue to work with local businesses and private charge point providers to secure more investment here so that we can maintain this progress and deliver more public charge points here in Midlothian.
 
"By fast-tracking EV infrastructure, we’re paving the way for a more environmentally friendly Scotland."
​
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SNP BACKING YOUNG PEOPLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT 
 
Local SNP MSP Colin Beattie has encouraged young people starting a new job this summer to check if they can get support with costs.
 
It comes after figures revealed that 60 people in Midlothian have benefitted from the Job Start Payment since it was introduced by the SNP Scottish Government.
 
The latest statistics show that young people in Midlothian have received £19,603 in support to help with the practical costs of starting a new job such as clothes, travel, tools or childcare.
 
The payment, which is delivered by Social Security Scotland, of over £330 is available to people who have been out of work and receiving certain benefits for at least six months and does not need to be paid back.
 
Care leavers can apply for the payment between the ages of 16 and 25 and need to be out of work and receiving a qualifying benefit on the day of the job offer.  
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“We need to do all we can to get young people out of unemployment and moving our economy moving forward - that’s exactly what this support does.
 
“The cost of essentials has soared under the UK Labour Government and starting a new job can be particularly expensive - that’s why the Job Start Payment, introduced by the SNP, is so important in removing those financial barriers and giving our young people a hand up into work. 
 
“60 young people in Midlothian have benefitted from the payment which can help with the cost of work clothes, travel, tools, childcare or lunches. It all adds up and it’s absolutely right we do what we can to boost our workforce. 
 
“The SNP will always be on the side of Scotland’s young people - opportunity should not be restricted to those with the ability to pay and that’s why Scotland remains the only part of the UK where students don’t need to pay to study at university and bus travel is free for under-22s.
 
“I would encourage young people in Midlothian who are starting a new job this summer to check if they are eligible to receive the Job Start Payment.”
 
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