 SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN THROUGH THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS
SNP MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed new details of a major expansion of this year’s Fuel Insecurity Fund which will further support families in Midlothian and East Lothian with their energy bills. With the fund tripling to £30 million this year, households in Midlothian and East Lothian will also benefit through the SNP Scottish Government’s allocation of £9 million to enable Advice Direct Scotland to administer Home Heating Support Fund grants to those struggling with the rapid increase in energy prices. £8.5 million will also be allocated to the Fuel Bank Foundation to support over 85,000 households, including those with prepayment meters and at risk of imminent disconnection, and £7.25 million will be directed to enable the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations to provide more than 55,000 households across Scotland with advice, support with bills and energy-saving items. Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said: “Families in Midlothian and East Lothian are still paying the price of this Tory cost of living crisis, and these new funding commitments show just how this SNP Government is stepping up for people living in Midlothian and East Lothian, who are tired of being ignored by Westminster parties. “Where Westminster is failing to deliver, the SNP is bending over backwards to mitigate their cruel austerity measures – but while the key policy levers remain in the hands of the Tories, the Scottish Government will always be taking action with one hand behind its back. “For as long as we’re tied to this broken union, people across Scotland will continue to suffer the consequences of Westminster control because the Scottish Government can only go so far in its support- but with the powers of independence we can take back the powers to deliver real, sustained change for Scotland’s communities.”
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 Colin Beattie MSP has welcomed new funding from the Scottish Government to support the provision of after school and holiday clubs for Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities in Midlothian and East Lothian.
Midlothian Council and East Lothian Council will be able to apply for a share of £4.5 million to help support families in Midlothian and East Lothian through the Tory cost of living crisis by increasing access to affordable and quality childcare. First Minister Humza Yousaf announced details of the funding while convening a national anti-poverty summit in Edinburgh this week. The funding will help councils like Midlothian and East Lothian to improve indoor and outdoor areas with school estates in alignment with community needs. Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: "This additional investment from the Scottish Government is sure to support many working parents in Midlothian and East Lothian during the summer holidays and term time - improving access to easily available childcare is key when it comes to tackling child poverty. “Under the leadership of First Minister Humza Yousaf, this SNP Government is delivering where it matters during this Tory cost of living crisis. From taking action on fuel poverty to increasing social security benefits, it’s clear for all to see that tackling poverty is a priority. “While the Tories in Westminster give with one hand and take away with the other, and Labour watch on idly by the side-lines, only the SNP has proved that it’s the party brave enough to take action against Westminster austerity and offer the people of Scotland a chance to get rid of the Tories for good by becoming an independent country."  SNP: ONLY INDEPENDENCE CAN DELIVER IN HEALTHCARE FOR PEOPLE IN MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN
Colin Beattie MSP has slammed the Tory Government for putting increased pressure on NHS Lothian after new research has revealed more than a quarter of Scots have sought NHS treatment due to the impact of the cost of living crisis on their health. The damning report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said the cost of living crisis had deepened a “cycle of health inequality” that was "failing our people and turning up the pressure on the NHS.” With food prices continuing to soar and rapidly inflating energy bills making it difficult for people to keep warm, more people in Midlothian and East Lothian are having to seek out either physical or acute mental health treatment for conditions. Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said: “This corrupt Tory Government is failing the people of Midlothian and East Lothian; failing to deliver affordable food; failing to tackle rising energy costs and now failing them when it comes to their health. Midlothian and East Lothian deserves better. “Whether it’s from neglect or threat of privatisation, it’s no secret that our NHS is not safe in the hands of the Tories in Westminster, and this pressure should be seen as a foreshadowing of what’s to come under their control. “With the Tories and Labour providing no alternative to the brutal impact of Westminster control, the SNP Government is digging deep with what few powers it has to mitigate the Tories’ cruel cuts and claw backs. It's clear that only in an independent Scotland can we do more than just mitigate and build a robust healthcare system that looks after everyone.”  SLASHING TRAIN FARES FOR PASSENGERS IN MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN
Colin Beattie MSP has welcomed news that peak-time rail fares will be scrapped on ScotRail services for six months from October. On Tuesday, First Minister Humza Yousaf announced the timescale for the pilot programme as he set out the priorities for his Government in Parliament. For train passages in Midlothian and East Lothian, this pilot will make travelling around Scotland more affordable and accessible. The Scottish Government’s commitment to active travel will also see increased investment to develop more places where people can walk, wheel and cycle safely for day-to-day journeys. Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said: “People in Midlothian and East Lothian, will benefit directly from these significant price cuts to peak rail fares, which couldn’t have come at a more needed time. “From expanding free bus travel to under 22-year-olds, to putting money straight back into people’s pockets with reduced rail fares, the SNP is helping people where it matters and making real changes to support people financially. “While the Westminster government sits on its hands in the midst of a damaging Brexit and a cost of living crisis of their own making, First Minister Humza Yousaf has shown once again the SNP is the only party who puts the needs of Scottish households first.”  Colin Beattie SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh has welcomed new research that shows Scotland is spending £1,300 more per pupil than anywhere else in the UK.
The research, from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, reports that spending per pupil in Scotland was already 6% higher than in England in 2010 – but the gap has widened further under the Tories. Higher pay offers for teachers in Scotland, and increased investment in education from the SNP Government, means spending per pupil is now over 18% higher than Tory-run England and Labour-run Wales, who spend around just £7,200 per pupil, compared to over £8,500 in Scotland. Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh said: “The SNP Government is delivering in education for Scotland’s children and teachers. This new research, from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, shows the SNP is determined to invest in Scotland’s young people and give every child the very best start in life. “And it’s not just pupil spending where the SNP is investing in future generations here in Midlothian and East Lothian; the rollout of the Baby Box and increasing the ‘game changing’ Scottish Child Payment are just another two policies demonstrating your Scottish Government’s commitment to get it right for every child. “Under the fresh leadership of Humza Yousaf, the SNP will continue to build on its progressive record in government and work hard to deliver on the real priorities for voters in Scotland.”  SNP MSP PRAISING WORK TO IMPROVE CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
Colin Beattie MSP has welcomed Scottish Government reform plans to increase opportunities for outdoor play in Midlothian and East Lothian. This month the SNP Scottish Government announced £50m investment in play parks and facilities. New changes to planning rules also means councils will need to think more about providing outdoor play spaces, but also make sure new developments provide them too. This action will increase opportunities for outdoor activity and help implement a commitment to incorporate children and young people’s rights into Scots law and practice. Commenting, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie said: “Play is absolutely vital for children – and it is their right to have access to safe places and opportunities to play – this goes right the way up to teenagers, who need safe and healthy places to socialise. “These new reform plans are another example of where the SNP is taking action to make rights real for children in Midlothian and East Lothian, helping families across our communities, and making Scotland the best place to grow up. “Sometimes, it’s the simple things like providing more and improved spaces for children to play that can make a big difference.”  77% OF PEOPLE NOT CONFIDENT WESTMINSTER BUDGET PROVIDES ENOUGH HELP TO TACKLE RISING COSTS
SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, has said "families are seeing their incomes hammered under Westminster control" - as analysis shows the UK is set for the biggest fall in living standards on record. Following last week's spring budget, a YouGov poll has found that 77% of people do not have confidence that the Westminster's budget will provide enough help to tackle the cost of living. Analysis following the Tory budget shows:
Commenting, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie said: "Scotland is a wealthy, energy-rich country but families across Midlothian and East Lothian are seeing their incomes hammered under Westminster control - and the UK economy is slumping behind. "With Brexit costing the UK billions of pounds in long-term damage, and families facing the biggest fall in living standards on record, it's clear Scotland needs independence so we can build a strong, fair and prosperous economy. "Neither the Tories or the pro-Brexit, pro-cuts Labour Party are being honest about the damage their policies are doing to Scotland. There's a reason the UK is expected to have slower growth than any other major economy - including sanction-hit Russia. "The SNP government will do everything it can to support people's incomes, including progressive policies like the Scottish Child Payment - but with no change on offer at Westminster, Scotland needs independence to deliver the real change people across Midlothian and East Lothian need." UK GOVT PENSION AGE RISES SET TO FORCE PEOPLE IN MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN TO WORK LONGER17/3/2023  2.9 MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS SCOTLAND COULD BE AFFECTED BY PENSION AGE INCREASES
SNP MSP Colin Beattie has called on the Conservative UK Government to scrap proposed rises to the pension age which would force people in Midlothian and east Lothian to work until 68 before receiving their state pension. Citing new figures from the House of Commons Library, Colin Beattie said up to 2.9 million people in Scotland could be affected by the UK Government’s proposals to hike the UK’s state pension age from 66 to 67 in 2028 and 68 by 2044. Colin Beattie said Conservative plans to force people to work longer, especially while pensioners in Scotland have been routinely short-changed by the UK government, would be a “further betrayal” of older people in Midlothian and East Lothian. Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh said: “The Conservative UK Government should completely scrap their plans to increase the pension age, a move that could force 2.9 million people in Scotland to work even longer before getting to enjoy their retirement. “Failure to do so would be a further betrayal of older people in Midlothian and East Lothian who, thanks to the UK Government, already receive one of the lowest pensions in North-west Europe, have had their free TV licences revoked and are seeing unsustainable rises to their cost of living. “The Conservatives made pensions a cornerstone of their 2014 referendum campaign, but have since been terrible for pensioners in Scotland, having done absolutely nothing to empower older people to enjoy their retirement and later life. “If the UK Government presses ahead with these changes it will serve as further proof that only with the full powers of independence can we deliver proper pensions at a decent age as we set out to build a country and economy that works for everyone.”  SNP WARN OF FUEL POVERTY DANGERS AMID TORY PLANS TO SCALE BACK SUPPORT
Colin Beattie MSP has called on the UK government to scrap proposals to reduce energy support to households, as energy prices fall while bills are set to soar. Households in Midlothian and East Lothian are set to pay through the nose for increased bills next month, under UK government plans to scale back support for energy costs. The call from Colin Beattie comes after UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt proposed to slash support through the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) scheme, meaning that from April a typical household will pay around £3,000 a year for energy. Responding to falling wholesale energy costs, Ofgem has announced that from 1 April the energy price cap will fall. However, due to current government support through the EPG, there is a discrepancy between the actual energy price cap set by Ofgem and what the typical household in Scotland will pay annually. Colin Beattie is joining SNP MSPs and MPs in calling on the Chancellor to maintain current levels of state support, as it will take time for current falling wholesale energy prices to filter through to household bills. MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie commented: “It should not be a surprise that this Tory government is ready to slash support for household energy bills when they were forced into introducing it in the first place. “For many families in Midlothian and East Lothian this scheme has been a lifeline this winter, and has been the difference between abject fuel poverty, and being able to put the heating on when the temperature once again plummets below zero. “Reducing Government support now, at a time when inflation continues to run wild and food prices remain through the roof, is not just irresponsible; it is an obscene act of state negligence. “Only the SNP will stand up for Scottish households against Westminster’s reckless mismanagement of this cost crisis and protect families from their cruel welfare cuts.”  Midlothian North and Musselburgh MSP Colin Beattie visited Azilo Training to celebrate Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2023. Azilo Training, based in Musselburgh, deliver Childcare and Health & Social Care qualifications to over 300 Modern Apprentices in Scotland. This year’s theme for Scottish Apprenticeship Week is ‘Unlocking Potential’ highlighting the positive impact of apprenticeships to people and businesses across Scotland. Over the course of the week, Skills Development Scotland co-ordinates a large programme of events and visits to demonstrate the importance of apprenticeships and highlight the achievements of individual apprentices and all those who contribute to their success. Commenting on his visit, Colin Beattie MSP said: “I was delighted to visit Azilo Training to hear more about the fantastic work they do and courses they offer not just locally but across Scotland. “Azilo Training is a leading training provider in Childcare, Social Services & Healthcare qualifications and work collaboratively to ensure their training packages meet the needs of businesses to secure a sustainable workforce. “If anyone is looking to start a career in the Health and Social Care sector, Azilo Training may be the right step for you. You can find out more at: https://azilotraining.com/” Photo: Colin Beattie MSP with Azilo Training staff |
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