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8,605 SCOTTISH WELFARE PAYMENTS MADE IN MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN
SNP GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING SCOTLAND THROUGH COST OF LIVING CRISIS Colin Beattie, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, has welcomed new figures which show that 8,605 Welfare Fund Payments have been made to support residents of Midlothian and East Lothian between July 2022 and June 2023. The Scottish Welfare Fund, consisting of Community Care Grants and Crisis Grants, is a national scheme funded by the Scottish Government and administered by local authorities which provides support to those most in need. Latest figures have shown that in Midlothian and East Lothian, 1,170 Community Care Grants have been awarded in addition to 6,835 Crisis Grants. Since the SNP introduced the Scottish Welfare Fund in 2013, £410 million has been awarded to support 519,890 individual households. SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “The Scottish Welfare Fund is a vital resource that is supporting the most vulnerable individuals across Midlothian North and Musselburgh. “The fact this support remains so vital to Midlothian North and Musselburgh is a damning inditement of the harm caused by over a decade of Westminster austerity. “As Labour fail to commit to reversing Tory austerity policies – the SNP Government continues to deliver the support required to tackle poverty and mitigate Westminster’s cruel welfare regime. “"Scotland's best future however is with independence. Independent countries like Scotland are wealthier and fairer than the UK - so the question is, why not Scotland?” ENDS NOTES The Scottish Welfare Fund helps families and people in Scotland who are on low incomes through Community Care Grants, which support people to start to live, or to carry on living, a settled life in the community and Crisis Grants, for disasters (like a fire or flood), or emergencies (like an unexpected expense).
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SNP MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed the announcement today that Boundaries Scotland are including Midlothian North and Musselburgh as one of the 6 proposed constituencies that will have a Local Inquiry into the provisional proposals for the Second Review of the Scottish Parliament constituency boundaries.
The Local Enquiry for Midlothian North and Musselburgh will take place on 7 December 2023 at Musselburgh Racecourse. Colin Beattie MSP has announced his intention to speak at the enquiry. Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said, “I welcome the opportunity to speak at the Local Enquiry into the proposed boundaries of the Midlothian North and Musselburgh constituency. Whilst i understand the need for balancing numbers I believe that the proposed boundaries need reconsidered as to how it can link communities with common values and culture so that the constituency itself makes sense. This should be about the people and the communities; it should not be purely a numbers-based exercise.” During the initial consultation Colin Beattie MSP provided feedback to Boundaries Scotland regarding the Second Review of the Scottish Parliament Boundaries. I have read through the proposals to change the boundaries of my constituency of Midlothian North and Musselburgh and considered the impact of such changes carefully. I now feel I must raise my objections. I object on the following grounds:
If the Commission makes changes to its Initial Proposals, regardless of whether a Local Inquiry has been held, it will consult for a further period of one month in 2024. Anyone wishing to speak at an inquiry is invited to contact the Commission on 0131 244 2001 or email boundaries.scot@scottishboundaries.gov.uk ENDS Local MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh encourages young people and care leavers on benefits to check whether they are eligible for the support payment following recent changes to the application process.
The Job Start Payment was launched in 2020 and is a one-off cash payment, worth £294.70 or £471.50, from Social Security Scotland that is designed to help with the costs associated with starting work. The Scottish Government is encouraging people to check whether they are eligible as changes mean that income from trial shifts no longer rules out a young person from receiving the payment, while the deadline for applying has been extended from three months after a job offer to six months and more simplified support information about the job offer is required. Commenting, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, said: “Young people and care leavers across the constituency make an invaluable contribution to our community, and I welcome these changes which make it easier for them to access support in seeking employment. “In the last three years the Job Start Payment has made a huge difference to the lives of many young people, alleviating the pressure of starting a new job and helping to ease costs that can be extremely prohibitive. “As cost of living pressures persist – largely due to a hard Tory Brexit and the disastrous mini-budget – the SNP Scottish Government is doing all it can to support those who need it most, showing just what is possible with the full powers of independence. “The SNP are determined to ensure that people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh are getting the money that they are entitled to and I strongly encourage those who think they may be eligible to check and apply for this payment.” ENDS Colin Beattie MSP has welcomed the announcement that a one-off £2,000 payment from the SNP Scottish Government will be made available to young people who are leaving the care system in Midlothian North and Musselburgh.
First Minister Humza Yousaf announced the payment following the Independent Care Review’s findings that those with care experience have an increased risk of poor mental health, addiction, homelessness, and exploitation. The payment is co-designed with care experienced people to ensure that it meets their needs and helps to reduce some of the financial impediments in their way as they seek to live independently. Commenting, Colin Beattie, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, said: “The SNP Scottish Government is committed to Keeping the Promise by 2030 to all children and young people leaving care, and part of that is ensuring that they are supported on their journey into adulthood. “Living independently can be a huge adjustment and comes at a pivotal time for young people leaving care in Midlothian North and Musselburgh, especially if they don’t have family support. “The SNP Scottish Government is therefore providing support to care experienced young people across Scotland through the Care Leaver Payment, and this will make a real difference to the lives of young people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh.” ENDS Notes The Scottish Government’s Programmes for Government in 2021/22 and 2022/23 committed to developing a payment to provide young people moving on from care with additional financial security. The proposed Care Leaver Payment will form part of a broader package of support which includes access to Continuing Care and Aftercare support for care leavers, the Care Experience Bursary, and Council Tax Exemption for care leavers. A consultation seeking views on the proposed payment will launch on 3 November and end on 26 January 2024. The consultation paper will contain questions on a range of issues including the purpose of the payment, the eligibility criteria of the payment, and the support required to apply for and manage the payment. Colin Beattie, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, has urged constituents to take part in the Scottish Government’s consultation on the introduction of the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
From winter 2024, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, which will be an annual payment, will replace the UK government’s Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland. The Scottish Government are consulting people across Midlothian North and Musselburgh to understand who should be eligible for this payment, when and how it should be delivered, and what measures can be put in place to support those living off the gas grid. The consultation closes on January 15th 2024. Colin Beattie MSP is urging constituents in Midlothian North and Musselburgh to complete the consultation to ensure the payment is as effective as possible in helping pensioners with their winter heating costs. Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “The new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment delivered by the SNP Government will help over a million pensioners in Scotland with their heating costs, including thousands in Midlothian North and Musselburgh. “The SNP Government is committed to helping the most vulnerable through the difficult winter period – but it is vital people make their views known of how this payment can best be delivered. “Since setting up a devolved social security system with compassion, fairness, and respect at its core – 13 benefits, of which 7 are unique to Scotland, have been established. "Social Security Scotland is set to deliver £5.3 billion in devolved benefits in 2023-24 alone, supporting over 1.2 million people as the SNP continues to deliver every day for the people of Scotland.” ENDS NOTES Consultation can be completed here: Pension Age Winter Heating Payment - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space Colin Beattie, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, has expressed their concerns about the impact any prospective trade deal between the UK and the USA may have on local businesses.
According to reports in the media, the UK government is potentially negotiating a foundational trade partnership with the United States – having failed to engage or provide advance warning to Scottish Ministers or local businesses. This prospective arrangement reportedly covers topics such as digital trade, labour protections and agriculture. The inclusion of agriculture in any talks will be particularly concerning to rural and farming communities in Midlothian North and Musselburgh and to consumers who are strongly against low standard food products entering the Scottish market. Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “While I fully support building trade and investment links with the United States, agricultural businesses in Midlothian North and Musselburgh must not be sold out to secure a quick trade deal. “Scotland has a global reputation for exporting high quality food and drink produce across the world and I am extremely concerned that a deal with the United States may undermine our standards and cost us access to other global markets, including the EU. “I know that constituents across Midlothian North and Musselburgh will also be deeply worried about any action from the UK government which would result in sub-par food, particularly meat, produce ending up on supermarket shelves. “These reports are already causing concern to business in Midlothian North and Musselburgh – I urge the UK government to engage with our communities and Scottish Ministers and give a cast-iron guarantee that no trade deal will reduce food safety and animal welfare standards. ENDS NOTES Scottish Ministers letter to the UK government UK-US trade partnership: letter to the UK Government - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) "I am deeply shocked and unequivocally condemn the brutal acts undertaken by Hamas militants that have resulted in the tragic loss of hundreds of innocent lives. Such actions are deplorable, devoid of humanity, and have no place in our world. Every nation, including Israel, has the inherent right to defend its citizens. I call upon restraint now from both sides as no one has a license to perpetrate harm upon innocent civilians. The heart-wrenching stories emerging from Gaza now underline the need for an immediate corridor to ensure the safe evacuation of those caught in the hostilities.
I urgently call for sincere negotiations between the relevant parties to bring about a lasting resolution to this ongoing conflict that has been a longstanding blemish on the Middle East's quest for peace The atrocities, violence, lives lost, the families torn apart and the communities in ruins are a testament to the urgency with which we must act. Every life is valuable, and we must collectively denounce such brutal acts and strive towards a more compassionate and understanding world." Colin Beattie MSP ENDS Colin Beattie, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, and Christine Grahame, SNP MSP for Midlothian South, have asked the Scottish Government to revisit, with COSLA, the way funding is allocated to councils in Scotland, as the current method of allocation fails to take into account the significant population growth in their constituencies.
Posing his question during a General Questions session in the Scottish Parliament, Colin Beattie MSP asked what steps the Scottish Government is taking to support the delivery of public services by local authorities, such as Midlothian and East Lothian, where the population growth has been higher than forecast, having risen by 16.1 per cent and 12.6 per cent respectively between 2011 and 2022. Christine Grahame MSP, representing the southern half of Midlothian, supported Colin Beattie in his call. In response, the Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees, Emma Roddick, advised them that the local government settlement uses the most up-to-date information and that the 2024-25 settlement will use the latest population census figures. She added that the settlement is discussed and agreed each year with COSLA and that Ministers “are open to considering changes in the funding formula.” Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said: “Due to the significant rise in population within my constituency, it’s imperative that East Lothian Council and Midlothian Council receive adequate funds to cater to the heightened demand for public services in these areas. The existing funding model for local authorities needs to ensure it adequately reflects these demographic changes. I am encouraged that the Minister is willing to consider this matter alongside COSLA.” Commenting, Christine Grahame MSP said: “Given the substantial population growth in Gorebridge, Penicuik and Newtongrange in my constituency in particular, it is vital that Midlothian Council have sufficient funding to meet the increased demand this places on public services. I am keen to see the current local authority funding distribution model revisited to fully take into account such population growth, and I was pleased that the Minister was open to looking at this with COSLA.” ENDS NOTES TO EDITORS The transcript of the exchange is available here: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-05-10-2023?meeting=15481&iob=132087#orscontributions_M3751E419P755C2522258  The SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh has marked the beginning of Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week 2023 by encouraging all women and girls to get involved in local events.
The Scottish Government, alongside Scottish Women in Sport and Active Scotland, designed this initiative to highlight the importance of sport in achieving gender equality and improving health and wellbeing, to increase female participation and to celebrate the achievements of women and girls in all sports across all levels. The ultimate goal is to eradicate gender inequality in sport and promote better discussion around women’s health, and this year’s theme is celebrating inclusion of those with all levels of ability. Commenting, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, said: “The seventh annual Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week is a fantastic opportunity to encourage more women and girls to get active and to celebrate the many trailblazing role models in women’s sport. “Physical activity is not only incredibly beneficial for women’s mental health and physical well-being but can be an incredible force for good in communities like Midlothian North and Musselburgh, leading to empowerment and a sense of belonging which are too often in short supply for many girls. “Women and girls make a tremendous contribution to sports at all levels, on and off the pitch, however there remains a huge disparity between male and female participation. That is why the SNP Scottish Government is spearheading the fight for equal opportunities for all. “It is a long-standing priority of the SNP Scottish Government to increase women and girls’ participation in sport and improve awareness of its benefits, as is the commitment to double investment in sport and active living to £100 million by the end of this Parliament. “As part of this week, events and activities will run across Midlothian North and Musselburgh and women and girls can share and celebrate their achievements on social media by using #SheCanSheWill. I encourage all those who can to get involved.” ENDS More information about the campaign can be found here.  SNP MSP Colin Beattie has said the Scottish Government’s proposals will go a long way to improving the health of the community in Midlothian North and Musselburgh.
The SNP Scottish Government announced plans to establish a Mental Health and Capacity Reform Programme as part of modernising mental health and capacity legislation, enhancing the protection of people’s rights. The First Minister also committed to taking action to reduce vaping, tackling their environmental impact and consulting on the banning of disposable vapes. Commenting, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, said: “The First Minister’s Programme for Government demonstrates the SNP’s commitment to improving the lives and wellbeing of people across Midlothian North and Musselburgh. “The SNP Scottish Government recognises that too many Scots are dealing with mental health challenges, which are only compounded by cost-of-living pressures, and is determined to take meaningful action to ensure people get the support they need. “The SNP is also aware of concerns regarding the impact of vaping, both on the increasing number of young people using vapes and on the environment. I am very pleased to see steps being taken to address the impact of these devices. “As Westminster continues in its intransigence, refusing to take meaningful action to support people during these difficult times, the SNP Scottish Government is determined to do all it can to support people with health issues and protect our environment.” ENDS NOTES The First Minister’s Programme for Government can be found here. |
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