Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, yesterday highlighted Dalkeith Palace and Country Park in a debate at the Scottish Parliament. 
 
Mr. Beattie spoke in the debate entitled ‘Celebrating Our Past: Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.’
 
The debate focused on Visit Scotland’s theme for 2017: Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.
 
Commenting on the year, Mr. Beattie said:
 
“I was pleased to have the opportunity to highlight Dalkeith’s beautiful Palace and Country Park in the debate yesterday.  Dalkeith is a wonderful place with a rich history that should be acknowledged and celebrated!
 
‘I have a keen interest in history, and I feel that this year will provide both citizens and visitors with the opportunity to re-discover Scotland’s greatness.
 
‘I look forward to seeing the events that will take place in Midlothian North this year.  I hope all residents have the opportunity to take part in the incredible archaeology, history, and heritage our country has to offer.”

Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, is backing Cancer Research UK’s new Scale Down Cancer campaign to help prevent obesity-related cancers across Scotland.

To highlight the growing obesity epidemic, Cancer Research UK unveiled a giant set of scales outside the Scottish Parliament, weighed down by a mannequin of an obese child in an XL-sized school uniform.

Scotland has one of the heaviest populations in Europe, with two in three adults in Scotland overweight or obese.*

Given that obesity is the single biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking, the Cancer Research UK campaign asks politicians to support a call to ensure cancer is scaled down to size in Scotland.

A new survey** commissioned by Cancer Research UK’s Scale Down Cancer campaign reveals that seven out of ten Scots support a ban on supermarket multi-buy promotions of junk food.

Six in ten people in Scotland say they buy unhealthy food on promotion at least every week according to a second poll** for the charity – and eight in ten Scots agree the country has a problem with obesity.

Now Cancer Research UK is urging the Scottish Government to do more to tackle obesity and prevent cancer by restricting supermarket multi-buy discounts that are high in fat, salt and sugar.  

Foods on promotion account for around 40 per cent of all expenditure on food and drinks consumed at home, and Cancer Research UK warn this unhealthy shopping habit is weighing heavily on the health of the nation.

Gregor McNie, Senior Public Affairs Manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “Levels of people who are overweight or obese in Scotland are the worst in the UK and our shopping habits are at the heart of the problem.

“We know that sugary drinks and snacks are more likely to be discounted than healthier foods. Our survey shows people are being attracted by these promotions, something which is setting them up for a lifetime of ill-health.

“We need urgent action now to prevent thousands of cancers in the future.”

Colin Beattie MSP said: “Four in ten cancers are preventable, yet not enough of us know that obesity is the single biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking. Given the devastating impact that cancer has on families in the constituency and across Scotland, it’s vital we take action on obesity.
 
“We mustn’t let obesity continue to be the new normal in Scotland, and that’s why I’m joining forces with Cancer Research UK and the Scale Down Cancer campaign.”

Colin Beattie, MSP for the Midlothian North and Musselburgh constituency, today condemned the forthcoming closure of the Clydesdale Bank branch in Dalkeith.  The Clydesdale Bank has announced that the Dalkeith branch, along with 39 other of their branches, will be closing due to a transformation in their banking practices. 

The bank has stated that customers will now have to either travel to the Musselburgh branch, use online banking, or go to the local post office. 

Concerned with this news, Mr. Beattie said:

“It is unacceptable that the closest branch will now be Musselburgh. This will be an inconvenience to customers, particularly elderly ones.  A trip to Musselburgh would cause real problems to customers of the bank who have mobility issues or who do not have access to transportation.

“I understand that customers can now go to the local post office, but that’s simply not the same as a bank. Online banking is all fine and well, but people need to have confidence in the system.  Further, many people still do not have a PC, let alone internet access.

“Additionally, what about the staff of the Dalkeith branch.  With this closure, some people may find themselves without a job, creating issues not only for those who frequent the bank, but for those working there as well. 

“I strongly urge Clydesdale Bank to reconsider the effect that this closure will have on the town and encourage them to rethink its decision.”  

Mr. Beattie has launched a motion at the Scottish Parliament highlighting this issue.  The full motion is below.
​
Motion Number: S5M-03513
Lodged By: Colin Beattie
Date Lodged: 19/01/2017

Title: Nationwide Closure of Clydesdale Bank Branches

Motion Text:
That the Parliament notes with concern the forthcoming closures of 40 Clydesdale Bank branches across Scotland; understands that the closure of the Dalkeith branch will result in Dalkeith customers having to travel to Musselburgh for their nearest Clydesdale Bank branch; considers that this situation will be similar for several other parliamentary constituencies across Scotland; considers that this decision will have an impact on older people, those with mobility issues, and those without regular internet access to use online banking facilities; further notes with concern that approximately 200 staff members will be adversely affected by this decision, and urges the Clydesdale Bank to reconsider its decision.