​KIRSTY MCNEILL PUTS PARTY BEFORE PENSIONERS IN KEY COMMONS VOTE 
 
Midlothian’s MSP has called out [LABOUR MP] for voting with the UK Labour government in favour of cutting the Winter Fuel Payment, accusing the politician of putting party before pensioners.
 
This follows calls from several political parties, including the SNP, and third sector organisations to u-turn on the decision – which looks set to see almost 900,000 pensioners across Scotland miss out on the £300 payment this winter.
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“Kirsty McNeill was elected on the promise of change, but instead put party before pensioners, who are now paying the price for Labour’s dishonesty and ridiculous commitment to matching Tory fiscal rules.
 
“Every single SNP MP rightly voted against this Labour austerity and will continue to oppose further cuts while using our very limited powers to support those who need it most.
 
“Kirsty McNeill must now apologise for voting in favour of slashing the Winter Fuel Payment; and I reiterate SNP calls on the Labour government to see sense and reverse this decision before Scottish pensioners are forced to endure a winter without it.”
 
ENDS

SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie has challenged local Labour MSP Kirsty McNeill to back ending the two-child benefit cap after they united with the Tories to vote against a motion calling for action in the UK Budget to consign the hated policy to history. 
 
In a vote on a motion on the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government, which has an acute focus on eradicating child poverty, Labour and Tory MSPs joined forces to reject the proposal that the two-child benefit limit must be fixed by Westminster.
​
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:

“Kirsty McNeill must now come clean on whether they support ending the two-child benefit cap which condemns thousands of children to poverty.

“The Better Together coalition united once more this week as Labour and Tory MSPs washed their hands of responsibility to end one of Westminster’s most damaging policies.

“The policies of the SNP Government are keeping 100,000 children out of poverty, while Labour accelerates austerity at Westminster - hampering the considerable progress of the Scottish Government to eradicate child poverty. 

“This week, First Minister John Swinney outlined his Programme for Government, where the clear priority is to end child poverty in Scotland. The sum of the opposition is to point the finger and avoid the blame while our kids suffer. 

“Sir Keir Starmer says things can only get worse - but the SNP has a far greater ambition for our nation, which is rich in energy, resources and talent. Only with independence can Scotland escape the austerity agenda of Westminster control.”

ENDS

​SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh has said “the SNP remain committed to delivering for Scotland and protecting households from more Westminster cuts” in the face of Labour’s “betrayal of Scotland’s priorities.”
 
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament today, SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison emphasised the “impossible situation” that the Scottish Government has been put in, forced to act within a budget largely set at Westminster that now looks set to be cut by a Labour government.
 
Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said:
 
“Under this SNP government, Scotland has some of the best performing public services in the UK, are lifting 100,000 children out of poverty and have made university tuition and prescriptions free.
 
“Though we are determined to continue to improve the lives of all Scots in Midlothian North and Musselburgh, this will be increasingly difficult under Labour’s plans for up to £22 billion worth of public spending cuts.
 
“By making the choice to pursue a policy agenda steeped in austerity, Westminster is once again harming families, public services, and Scotland as a whole.
 
“Only by properly investing in communities like Midlothian North and Musselburgh will we build a more prosperous Scotland, and we can only do that with the full powers of independence.”
 
ENDS

REVEALED: THE IMPORTANCE OF SNP FREE PRESCRIPTION POLICY
 
SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, has highlighted the latest report from the Trussell Trust which shows how vital the SNP introduced policy of free prescriptions is to the people of Scotland.
 
The Trussell Trust report on people receiving Universal Credit is a damning assessment of the damage cruel DWP policies are having on people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh, including those in work. The report found that 68% of working households receiving universal credit have gone without essentials such as prescription medication. 
 
Thanks to the SNP this does not apply in Scotland. Everyone, regardless of income status, has free access to prescriptions – ensuring that no matter who you are you can get the vital medication you need. In Midlothian North and Musselburgh, the average person receives 19 free prescriptions per year, saving £183.35 per person. 
 
The SNP is committed to a social contract with the people of Scotland that ensures no matter what your financial status – you will have access to essential services such as prescriptions, further education and additional health support.
 
Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said:
 
“Free prescriptions are a vital part of the social contract the SNP has with people across Midlothian North and Musselburgh – no matter what your income status is it is essential that you have access to medical treatment.
 
“This Trussell Trust report indicates exactly how vital a policy this is as over two thirds of working households receiving universal credit are having to go without essential items such as toiletries and prescriptions.
 
“The Tories left behind a legacy of cruel social security decisions and it is time for this Labour UK government to get a move on and start supporting those most in need, which is exactly what the SNP is doing in Scotland.”
 
ENDS

SNP URGE PENSIONERS TO CHECK PENSION CREDIT ELIGIBILITY
 
The Labour UK government’s decision to means test the Winter Fuel Payment without any consultation will result in many pensioners across Midlothian North & Musselburgh left unable to access the equivalent support in Scotland.
 
The austerity driven decision by the Labour Party directly resulted in an estimated £160m of funding being wiped from the Scottish Government's budget – undermining the devolution settlement and leaving no choice but to replicate the policy in Scotland.
 
When the same measure was considered by the Tories last year, the Labour Party strongly opposed it saying “pensioners mustn’t be forced to bear the brunt of Tory economic failure” – yet now they are the ones imposing it on people in Scotland.
 
The UK already has one of the worst pension rates in North West Europe, lagging behind countries such as France and Spain and providing just enough for pensioners to break even when the cost of living is accounted for.
 
SNP MSP Colin Beattie is strongly encouraging people to check whether they are eligible for pension credits in order to ensure that they still have access to the Winter Fuel Payment.
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“The decision by the Labour UK government to means test the Winter Fuel Payment ensures that pensioners in Midlothian North & Musselburgh will face the brunt of Westminster economic chaos.
 
“This decision, made in Westminster, has resulted in the Scottish Government’s budget being cut by an estimated £160m – as Labour picks up where the Tories left by driving a coach and horse through the devolution settlement.
 
“I am strongly encouraging pensioners in Midlothian North & Musselburgh to check if they are eligible for pension credit to ensure that if they are they will still receive the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment that they are entitled to.”
 
ENDS

Kirsty McNeil MP and Chris Murray MP Challenged over planned cuts

Colin Beattie MSP has criticised the new Labour government’s “return to austerity” following the announcement of a cut to the Winter Fuel Payment, challenging Kirsty McNeil MP and Chris Murray MP to stand up for pensioners.
Announcing a fresh round of austerity, Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the Winter Fuel Payment will no longer be available to all those over the pension age, reducing the number of people eligible from 11.4 million to 1.5 million.
Despite previously boasting that Labour was responsible for introducing the payment, Anas Sarwar is now backing this cut, with his deputy Jackie Baillie saying in 2018 that she would “always fight to ensure this payment is protected.”
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
“Midlothian North and Musselburgh’s pensioners have for too long suffered under Westminster governments that break promises, and that looks set to continue under this Labour government.
“The SNP repeatedly warned of cuts like this, but it is no less disappointing to see Labour enact them as they attempt to stick to Tory fiscal rules.
“The question now is: where do Labour’s priorities really lie?
“Kirsty McNeil and Chris Murray must call on this Westminster government to change tact and reverse their plans for most austerity, or pensioners across my constituency will pay the price of their betrayal.”
ENDS

SNP GOVERNMENT INVEST IN REDUCING WAITING TIMES 
 
£30 MILLION ADDITIONAL FUNDING ALLOCATED 
 
SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh Constituency, Colin Beatie, has welcomed the announcement of £30 million by the SNP Scottish Government to reduce NHS waiting times. 
 
It is expected that this funding will significantly increase activity across the NHS, including 12,000 additional procedures, 40,000 extra diagnostic reprocedures and 12,000 new outpatient appointments.
 
Making the announcement, SNP Cabinet Secretary for Health Social care Neil Gray said the action will “help Scotland’s NHS maximise capacity, build greater resilience and deliver year-on-year reductions in the number of patients who have waited too long for treatment."
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
"The SNP has made clear that improving public services is a key priority for this government - and reducing NHS waiting lists in Midlothian North and Musselburgh is at the heart of this commitment. 
 
"This targeted £30 million investment will ensure that people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh have greater access to appointments and procedures and continue the work to reduce the number of people waiting too long for treatment. 
"I am pleased to see the Scottish Government investing in our public services – against the backdrop of further cuts from Westminster. Under First Minister John Swinney, the SNP is determined to deliver first rate public services and this funding will ensure that the public have access to a health service that works for them."