In the Scottish Parliament Debate Chamber on Thursday 6th of March, Colin Beattie MSP asked the Minister for Housing what steps the Scottish Government will take to improve protections for park home residents. The Minister for Housing confirmed that the Government is considering how to streamline the housing adaptations system for park home residents as part of its Housing to 2040 Strategy.
 
Additionally, the 2025/26 budget will see a doubling of support for registered social landlords to deliver housing adaptions, ensuring more tenants can live safely and comfortably in their home. 
 
The Minister also confirmed that he will engage with OFGEM to raise issues faced by park home residents in relation to oil.
 
Commenting MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“This is a hugely positive step that can make a real difference to people across Midlothian North & Musselburgh, in particular residents in Nivensknowe and Pentland mobile home parks. Housing adaptions are essential in ensuring older and disabled residents are safe and can remain in their homes.
 
“I will follow this review closely and continue to advocate for a fairer adaption system for my constituents, especially those currently exempt in mobile homes.
 
“I welcome the news that the Minister will engage with OFGEM to discuss the energy issues park home residents are facing. I hope this can lead to the legislation being tightened to close any loopholes to give residents full transparency over their energy bills.”
 
ENDS

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LOCAL MSP SHOWS SUPPORT FOR LOCAL CHARITY VISUALISE SCOTLAND
 
Colin Beattie MSP visited Visualise Scotland’s day centre at Newhailes Business Park in Musselburgh,  following their expanded into more spacious premises.
 
Visualise Scotland opened their Musselburgh day centre in 2014 and since moving into a larger space, they are now able to offer more space to those who rely on their service.
 
Commenting Midlothian North & Musselburgh MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“Visualise Scotland specialise in providing high-quality support to adults with disabilities and their recent expansion is welcomed news that will allow them to improve their services.
 
“The wellbeing of my constituency is one of my main priorities and I am all too aware of how important expert charities like Visualise Scotland are for the community, and the support they offer to those in need.
 
“I’d like to thank all the staff at Visualise Scotland for accommodating me and teaching me more about their valuable work. I wish you all the best the future.”
 
ENDS
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COLIN BEATTIE MSP WELCOMES £21m INVESTMENT IN LOCAL SERVICES IN EAST LOTHIAN AND £19.7m IN MIDLOTHIAN.

Colin Beattie MSP has highlighted the record funding going to Midlothian and East Lothian after the Scottish Budget was passed at Holyrood this week, providing a £1 billion increase in funding to local authorities.

After the budget received cross-party support – despite Labour and Tory MSPs sitting on their hands – Midlothian is set to receive an increase in funding worth £19.7m and East Lothian is set to receive an increase worth £21m.

This increases funding for local priorities, teachers and additional support for learning and to tackle the climate emergency. It also facilitates pay increases agreed for our teachers, social care workers, refuse collectors and more.

Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said:
“This year’s Scottish Budget provides record funding for Midlothian & East Lothian which will help deliver the services people rely on and ensure our community gets the investment it needs.

“After over a decade of austerity and a Labour tax hike which is set to cost councils £100 million, our local authorities have been repeatedly betrayed by Westminster parties.

“Under the SNP, we are not only investing in areas like Midlothian and East Lothian, but we are mitigating the impact of Westminster decisions, to the tune of £144 million for the National Insurance hike alone.

“This SNP government is delivering for Mid and East Lothian, and I am pleased parliament has backed this budget to ensure that continues.”
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ENDS

SNP MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed the passing of the Scottish Government’s Budget which delivers £2,113.00m for frontline services delivered by NHS Lothian by increasing funding for health and social care to a record £21 billion.
 
By backing the Budget, parliament has ensured a record increase of nearly £2 billion for frontline NHS boards – with an increase in funding of £287.50m for NHS Lothian. An additional £200 million will reduce waiting lists and see over 150,000 extra patients treated as a result.
 
Despite this, Tory and Labour MSPs still failed to back the budget.
 
In government, we are delivering - having promised 64,000 additional NHS procedures and appointments by the end of March, we exceeded our target by delivering 75,500 by the end of January. Since taking office, Scotland’s NHS has also grown by over 33,000 extra doctors, nurses, and staff—an increase of over 26%.
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“The record levels of funding delivered by the SNP Scottish Government will make a real difference to people in Midlothian North & Musselburgh - ensuring that people get the care they need when they need it.
 
“It is hardly surprising that Labour MSPs joined the Tories in sitting on their hands, refusing to back a budget that delivers record investment in our NHS when we have a UK Labour government opening the door to privatisation and hiking costs with their National Insurance increase.
 
“But that doesn’t make it any less disappointing.
 
“Instead of playing politics, the SNP is putting Scotland first; getting on with delivering on the priorities of Midlothian North & Musselburgh and ensuring public services serve those who need them most.”
 
ENDS

LOCAL LABOUR MSP FAILS TO BACK FUNDING FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN MIDLOTHIAN NORTH & MUSSELBURGH
 
The SNP Government’s Scottish Budget for 2025/26 has passed its final stage in the Scottish Parliament – delivering real progress for residents in Midlothian North & Musselburgh, local MSP Colin Beattie has said.  
 
The Budget will deliver:  
 
· Record funding for the NHS of £21.7 billion. 
· The restoration of winter fuel payments for pensioners - after Labour scrapped them across the UK.
· The scrapping of the cruel two-child benefit cap – which Scottish Labour was critical of whilst in opposition.
· Additional investment for Grangemouth and its workforce to secure a just transition.
· Lower income tax for most Scots compared to the rest of the UK.
· The most generous rates relief programme anywhere in the UK.
· Increased £34 million investment in Scotland’s culture sector – exceeding Labour’s calls from before the budget.
 
However – despite the Labour Party in Scotland previously stating it supported many of the measures in the budget, local Labour MSP Sarah Boyack failed to back the budget, instead choosing to abstain. 
 
Local MSP Sarah Boyak has said voters will not forgive or forget Labour’s decision to abstain on Budget improvements being delivered in Midlothian North & Musselburgh
 
Commenting local MSP Colin Beattie said: 
 
“I am delighted that John Swinney's first Budget as First Minister has been passed in the Scottish Parliament. It will deliver real progress on people in Midlothian North & Musselburgh’s priorities.

“The Budget delivers record investment in the NHS, the restoration of winter fuel payments for pensioners and scraps the cruel two-child benefit cap. All of this is being delivered with the fairest tax system in the UK which means that the majority of people pay less tax than in the rest of the UK.

"Whilst other parties worked constructively with the SNP to deliver this Budget, Anas Sarwar's Labour Party - along with the Tories - showed that they are big on words but low in action when it comes to investing in the NHS, tackling child poverty and securing a future for Grangemouth.

"Whilst Anas Sarwar sits on his hands waiting for directions from his London bosses, under John Swinney’s leadership, the SNP has listened to people's concerns and is taking strong action to deliver on their priorities."  
 
ENDS 

Colin Beattie MSP welcomed the news that funding has been approved by the UK Government for the construction of the Dalkeith Mine Water Treatment works.

“This is very welcome news indeed and will help solve an unwanted legacy of Midlothian’s mining past. I am proud to chair the Esk River Improvement Group (ERIG) which supported and facilitated conversations with stakeholders to help provide the highest possible quality environment for the river users and river ecology.

The Esk has been polluted for too long by the water outflow from former mine working network which has directly deposited harmful metals and other pollutants into the river. This news will see the improvement of water quality, biodiversity, and the general environment.​

The High-Density Sludge (HDS) mine water treatment scheme will be delivered for a total estimated investment of £18.7m. The Mining Remediation Authority (formerly The Coal Authority) which is driving this project have carried out extensive preparatory work for the treatment works, closely liaising throughout with the regulator, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), and it is my hope that the construction goes smoothly with the local community seeing the benefits of the works in a better environment.”

SCOTLAND EXCEEDS COMMITMENT ON DELIVERING ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS 
 
Additional NHS investment from the SNP Scottish Government is reducing waiting lists in Midlothian North & Musselburgh, new figures can reveal.  
 
The figures show a 12.7% drop in General Surgery waiting times in NHS Lothian, which covers Midlothian North & Musselburgh, between April and September 2024.  
 
This improvement in waiting times was made possible by increased SNP investment in the health service – an additional £30 million to deliver 64,000 appointments and procedures by the end of March this year.  
 
The Scottish Government exceeded this target by over 10,000, delivering 75,500 appointments and procedures by the end of January, helping to reduce waiting times in the Lothians. 
 
A further £200 million to reduce waiting times and delayed discharge will be made available as part of the SNP’s Scottish Budget for 2025-26, ensuring no one waits more than 52 weeks for a procedure or appointment by March 2026.
 
Commenting, local MSP Colin Beattie said:  
 
“I welcome these figures which show a 12.7% drop in general surgery waiting times in NHS Lothian. 
 
“This was only possible because of the £30 million additional funding from the SNP Government, which has enabled NHS boards to exceed their appointment targets and reduce waiting times here in Midlothian North and Musselburgh and across NHS Lothian. 
 
“But we all know we need to go further – the SNP Government is proposing a £200 million investment to help clear waiting list backlogs and reduce delayed discharge – the other opposition parties in the Scottish Parliament have said they’ll back our budget – and now Labour and the Tories need to do the same, to deliver this this NHS funding in Midlothian North & Musselburgh and across Scotland.” 
 
ENDS 

SNP GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING KIDS ACROSS MIDLOTHIAN NORTH AND MUSSELBURGH
 
Colin Beattie MSP has welcomed new figures which reveal £1.471m has been invested and 19 of play parks improved in Midlothian and East Lothian, including Musselburgh, Bonnyrigg and Easthouses.
 
The Scottish Government has provided £35 million to renew or improve play parks since May 2021 - £15 million in 2024/25 alone. A total of 887 play parks have been renewed, or were being renewed in Scotland, up to April 2024.
 
This investment is ensuring children across the country have safe places to play in their local community and is an important priority for First Minister John Swinney’s Government, supporting his mission to improve the lives of children across Scotland.
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“The SNP was right to commit to improving play parks for children across Scotland, and I’m pleased to see Midlothian and East Lothian reap the benefits of this investment.
 
“We know how important it is for children to have access to play areas – for development and for fun – and investment of £1.471m will improve children’s wellbeing.
 
“That’s an SNP promise making a real difference in our community. That’s what you get with John Swinney’s SNP government.”
 
ENDS

​SCOTLAND MEETS 6,000 PUBLIC EV CHARGER TARGET TWO YEARS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE 
 
Local MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed the news that there are now 463 public electric vehicle charging points available in Midlothian & East Lothian.  
 
The number comes following confirmation last year that Scotland has reached its target of installing more than 6,000 public EV charge points, two years ahead of the 2026 target. 
 
Scotland also has the highest number of public charging devices per head of population of any UK nation – with 113 per 100,000 people in Scotland, 111 in England, 100 in Wales, and 36 in Northern Ireland – with the UK average being 110.  
 
Local MSP Colin Beattie has said that these figures are clear evidence of the SNP Scottish Government’s commitment to making sustainable travel a reality for everyone in Midlothian & East Lothian, and across Scotland. 
  
Commenting, local MSP Colin Beattie said:  
 
“I welcome the news that there are now 463 public electric vehicle charging points working in Midlothian & East Lothian. 
  
"By fast-tracking Electric Vehicle infrastructure, the SNP Government is paving the way for a net-zero Scotland – the target of more than 6,000 public EV charge points has been met two years ahead of schedule - also have the highest number of Electric Vehicle charging points per head of any UK nation -
  
“We now need to create more charging points here in Midlothian & East Lothian. I will work with local businesses and private charge point providers to secure more investment here so that we do not lose out.
  
“These charging points will help us build economic growth and improve the environment in Midlothian & East Lothian.” 
  
ENDS  

COLIN BEATTIE MSP: ONLY THE SNP CAN BE TRUSTED TO KEEP FREE TUITION IN SCOTLAND
SNP MSP Colin Beattie has called out Labour’s “hypocrisy on stilts” and said that free tuition fees for students in Midlothian North & Musselburgh are only safe under the SNP.
Labour’s leader in Scotland, Anas Sarwar claimed yesterday that Labour would maintain the SNP’s policy of free tuition fees if it were elected at Holyrood.
The claim comes despite the fact that it was Sarwar’s Labour Party which first introduced fees back in 1998, imposed back-door fees in Scotland through the graduate endowment, and then subsequently voted against the abolition of the tax by the SNP in 2008.
Tuition fees in England have risen to £9,535 since Labour came to power last year whilst fees have also risen in Labour-run Wales. Meanwhile Sarwar’s own finance spokesperson Michael Marra hinted last year that the party would examine models to reintroduce some form of charges in Scotland.
Record numbers of students from our most deprived areas in Scotland are going to university due to the SNP’s continued support for free tuition.
SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
“This is hypocrisy on stilts from Labour. History has shown that his Labour party cannot be trusted on tuition fees. Whether in Scotland, England or Wales - fees have gone up under Labour governments.
“It increasingly looks like Anas Sarwar will say anything - and adopt SNP policies - in his desperate attempt to get into power. But why should voters trust him on tuition fees after broken promises on winter fuel payments, compensation for WASPI women and the future of Grangemouth?

“Under the SNP, we have record numbers of Scottish students securing places at our universities, and recent figures showed a rise in students from our most disadvantaged communities.
“This progress has only been made possible because the SNP abolished Labour's tuition fees and we will never let them be reimposed on students from Midlothian North & Musselburgh."

ENDS