On Friday 18th January, Midlothian North and Musselburgh MSP, Colin Beattie, visited the Handicabs Lothian branch in Loanhead to meet with the staff and find out more about the services on offer.
 
Handicabs Lothian offers a personal door-to-door service for people with various mobility challenges or suffering from a degree of social exclusion due to geographical remoteness or other factors. Handicabs Lothian also operates 7 days a week, including evenings.  
 
After his visit on Friday, Mr Beattie commented:
 
“This is a versatile organisation which allows people that are unable to use other forms of public transport to be able to travel around and still be active within the community. The vehicles that are used are fantastic and are all of high quality.
 
“This charity offers great flexibility to accommodate all users and all the drivers and staff are happy to help as best they can.
 
“I encourage everyone to consider using Handicabs Lothian or pass on the detail to someone who may be vulnerable.”
 
Chief Executive of Handicabs Lothian, Kelvin Cochrane said:
 
“We are in the process of raising awareness  of HcL’s services in the Lothians.  It is very much appreciated that Colin took time out of his busy schedule to visit HcL’s premises and see the service first hand.  The services HcL operates are vital to our users , it gives them independence allowing them to go where they want , when they want in a safe environment.”

​On Thursday 24th January 2019 Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, welcomed Musselburgh’s Honest Lad and Lass to the Scottish Parliament.
Honest Lass Katie McLaren and Honest Lad Conor Scott watched First Minister’s Questions in the Debating Chamber before joining Colin for lunch.
Commenting, Colin said:
“I was delighted to invite Katie and Conor into the Parliament today. 
“The Honest Toun Association does a tremendous job in upholding Musselburgh’s traditions and it’s always a pleasure to meet their representatives.
“I thank Katie and Conor for their efforts over the past year and I wish them the best of success going forward. I look forward to seeing this year’s nominations for Honest Lad and Lass.”

SNP MSP Colin Beattie has hailed a Scottish Government announcement that promises to commit almost £500 million to expand early learning and childcare provision across Scotland.
 
Announcing the Scottish Government’s draft budget proposals for 2019/20 in Holyrood last month, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay MSP, outlined the investment that will support the SNP’s plan to almost double the free provision of childcare to 1140 hours from August 2020 for all 3 and 4 year olds and eligible 2 year olds.
 
The Scottish Government will also invest £175 million in local authority capital funding in 2019-20 to support the next phase of infrastructure investment - contributing to around 750 new, extended or refurbished nurseries and family centres.
 
Under the SNP, free childcare has already been increased to 16 hours a week for all 3 and 4 year olds – up from 12.5 hours in 2007 – and extended to 2 year olds from low income households.
 
By the end of this parliament, childcare spending will have more than doubled to £990 million - saving families over £4,500 per child per year.
 
Commenting, Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, said:
 
“This momentous commitment from the SNP to almost double the provision of free childcare will help ensure children across East Lothian and Midlothian are given the best possible start in life.
 
“Plans to invest almost £500 million to support the expansion will help create jobs in the local area, as the Scottish Government look to grow the highly skilled and dedicated childcare workforce here in Midlothian and East Lothian.  
 
“A massive investment in childcare is something that MSPs of all parties can get behind – I hope to see my political opponents back the Finance Secretary’s plans in Parliament next month.”

Yesterday, Midlothian North and Musselburgh MSP Colin Beattie praised the efforts of Midlothian Council and Melville Housing Association on their joint digital kitchen adult learning project. Mr Beattie was speaking at a debate he instigated on adult learning in Scotland.
Run at Newbattle Community Learning Centre, the digital kitchen programme assists low income tenants in the Dalkeith, Mayfield and Easthouses areas to improve their digital skills through cooking. Through developing digital skills, financial capacity, researching and the use of online information, tenants have become more aware of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and developed social networks to reduce social isolation.
Mr Beattie continued with a brief history of adult learning in this country, including the significant ‘Final report of the Adult Education Committee of the Ministry of Reconstruction’, otherwise known as the 1919 Report, and the current work being carried out by the Scottish Government and other stakeholders.
After the debate Mr Beattie remarked:
‘I was delighted to have the opportunity to highlight the great work done by Midlothian’s lifelong learning and employability service in the crucial field of adult learning.
‘The service saw many key successes in the years from 2015 to 2018 including an increased number of accredited learning opportunities for adults and young people, increased capacity of volunteers delivering adult literacy and numeracy, and an increased number of qualifications secured through lifelong learning and employability programmes.
‘These achievements spoke for themselves in Education Scotland’s 2016-17 inspection report, which led to Midlothian Council’s community learning and development team receiving an overall rating of ‘very good’.
'The digital kitchen itself is a tremendous example of how these schemes can boost confidence and reduce social isolation.
‘I look forward to seeing how the service will progress and develop on these successes in the years to come.’

For the full text of the debate see the link at:
http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=11906&i=107640

​SNP MSP for Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, has given his backing to plans that will help provide an additional 350 school counsellors across Scotland.
 
Last month, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay MSP announced his draft budget proposals for 2019/20 – outlining a £12 million increase in mental health funding for schools.
 
If approved by MSPs, the move would take the Scottish Government’s total mental health spend to £1.1 Billion.
 
By the end of academic year 2019-20, every local authority will also be offered training for teachers in mental health first aid – with an additional 250 school nurses in place by 2022.
 
80 additional counsellors will also be provided for Scotland’s colleges and universities over the next four years.
 
Commenting on the proposals, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“Our mental health is one of the most important issues in Scotland today – the SNP has made enormous strides in improving support for mental health services in recent years.  
 
“If approved by MSPs, the Scottish Government’s plans will help transform mental health services in schools – benefitting our young people here in Midlothian and across the country.
 
“The SNP are determined to ensure that our children and young people have the support they need at the earliest possible stage – with funding for an additional 350 councillors and 250 school nurses, we will reach those who are living with mental health challenges.
 
“I am urging my political opponents from across Midlothian to support the Finance Secretary’s plans and secure this transformative investment for mental health services in schools.”
 
NUS Scotland President Liam McCabe also commented on the plans:
 
“Improving mental health services for students has long been a campaigning priority for NUS Scotland, and the Government’s recognition of the need to tackle the mental health crisis unfolding on Scotland’s campuses is welcome.” 

SNP MSP for Midlothian North, Colin Beattie, has challenged his political opponents across Midlothian to get behind plans that will enhance investment in Scotland’s emergency services.
 
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament last month, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay MSP outlined his draft budget proposals for 2019/20 - which delivers over £1.2 billion for policing and increases spending on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service budget by £5.5 million to invest in service transformation.
 
£11.2 million will also be invested in the police workforce in 2019/20, directly benefiting police officers and police staff.
 
The Scottish Government has previously committed to protecting the police resource budget in real terms in every year of this Parliament – amounting to a boost of £100 million by 2021.
 
The SNP Government is also clear they will continue to press Westminster for return of the £175 million paid in VAT by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland, which will be re-invested in services.
 
MSPs will vote on the Finance Secretary’s draft budget proposals next month.
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“The Finance Secretary’s plans will offers real terms protection of the police resource budget, while providing over £5 million of additional resources to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to support their transformation.
 
“Both our police and fire service have been reformed in recent years, delivering greater efficiency as result – their work in Midlothian and across the wider community is invaluable.
 
“Our police officers and firefighters are some of the most heroic and dedicated public servants – I am urging MSPs from across Midlothian to get behind plans that deliver for them.”
 

Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh has called on local politicians from all parties to get behind historic funding for Scotland’s new social security agency – a move that will support carers and low income families across the country.
 
Outlining his draft budget proposals for 2019/20 last month, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay MSP announced £37 million to fund the Scottish Government’s Carers Allowance Supplement – in recognition of the important contribution carers have in our society.
 
2019/20 will be the second year the supplement will be paid and will see an inflationary rise in the benefit which will go to around 75,000 carers across Scotland.
 
The Finance Secretary also revealed plans to commit £12.4 million for the new Best Start Grants – providing financial support of up to £600 for low income families on the birth of a child, with two subsequent £250 payments given when a child begins nursery and school to start later this year.
 
A substantial £6.2 million of funding has also been allocated to kick start the Scottish Government’s new Funeral Expense Assistance – providing low income families with a contribution towards the cost of a loved one’s funeral - £2 million more than the UK Government previously spent.
 
The Young Carer Grant will also offer vital assistance to those aged 16 to 18 who do at least 16 hours of caring a week, but don’t qualify for the Carer’s Allowance – giving young carers the chance to explore employment, social or leisure opportunities outside away from their responsibilities.  
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie, said:
 
“The Finance Secretary’s plan to commit £37 million of support through the Carers Allowance Supplement will allow the Scottish Government to increase the financial support to carers, ensuring an additional £450 goes directly into the pockets of carers here in Midlothian North and Musselburgh.
 
“I recognise the invaluable contribution young carers make to society. Support through the new £300 Young Carers Grant will help ensure they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
 
“Launched last year, the SNP’s Best Start Grant proved extremely popular with families the length and breadth of Scotland. This expanded and improved scheme has been welcome news for many of my constituents.
 
“These are just the first steps in the delivery of even more benefits to support people in our society, as the Scottish Government looks to tackle inequality and reduce poverty.
 
“MSPs across the Lothian’s should get behind Derek Mackay’s proposals and secure substantial funding support for carers and low income families across Scotland.”
 

SNP MSP: “TORIES MUST STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND DELIVER FOR PEOPLE IN EAST LOTHIAN”
 
Colin Beattie MSP has called on the UK government to revise its approach to digital connectivity and invest more money delivering high-speed broadband for residents in East Lothian, after it was criticised for ‘short-changing’ Scots on high-speed broadband by a parliamentary committee.
 
The Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity committee this week called on the UK government to deliver its fair share of UK broadband funding after it was revealed that the Tories have contributed just 3% of the total funding for the ‘Reaching 100%’ project.
 
Despite connectivity and broadband being a reserved matter, the Scottish Government has invested £600 million in the ‘R100’ programme to deliver super-fast broadband to every home and business in Scotland.
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“Digital connectivity is an essential part of modern life and an indispensable tool for stimulating economic growth, which is why it is essential that the UK government stop short-changing residents in East Lothian, and across Scotland.   
 
“The Tories’ ambitions for broadband are extremely disappointing, and far behind those of the Scottish Government – despite connectivity and broadband being a reserved matter.
 
“Communities across East Lothian have been backed into a corner due this Westminster government’s complete lack of ambition for digital connectivity. Rural areas have been especially let down by a lack of adequate broadband coverage.
 
‘’The Scottish Government has committed to extending superfast access to all of Scotland by 2021 – with speeds of at least 30Mbps – and committed £600 million to delivering that; it’s time for the Tories to step up to the plate and commit to joining Scotland in the 21st century.
 
“The Tories must step up to the plate and deliver for people in East Lothian.” 

​SNP MSP: “TORIES MUST STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND DELIVER FOR PEOPLE IN EAST LOTHIAN”
 
Colin Beattie MSP has called on the UK government to revise its approach to digital connectivity and invest more money delivering high-speed broadband for residents in East Lothian, after it was criticised for ‘short-changing’ Scots on high-speed broadband by a parliamentary committee.
 
The Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity committee this week called on the UK government to deliver its fair share of UK broadband funding after it was revealed that the Tories have contributed just 3% of the total funding for the ‘Reaching 100%’ project.
 
Despite connectivity and broadband being a reserved matter, the Scottish Government has invested £600 million in the ‘R100’ programme to deliver super-fast broadband to every home and business in Scotland.
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“Digital connectivity is an essential part of modern life and an indispensable tool for stimulating economic growth, which is why it is essential that the UK government stop short-changing residents in East Lothian, and across Scotland.   
 
“The Tories’ ambitions for broadband are extremely disappointing, and far behind those of the Scottish Government – despite connectivity and broadband being a reserved matter.
 
“Communities across East Lothian have been backed into a corner due this Westminster government’s complete lack of ambition for digital connectivity. Rural areas have been especially let down by a lack of adequate broadband coverage.
 
‘’The Scottish Government has committed to extending superfast access to all of Scotland by 2021 – with speeds of at least 30Mbps – and committed £600 million to delivering that; it’s time for the Tories to step up to the plate and commit to joining Scotland in the 21st century.
 
“The Tories must step up to the plate and deliver for people in East Lothian.”