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: 
  

• The UK is expected to suffer the biggest fall in living standards since records began in the 1950s - with real household disposable income (RHDI) expected to fall by 5.7 per cent over 2022-23 and 2023-24 (Source: OBR)  
• Most people are expected to be worse off in 2027 than they were in 2019 - with real incomes still expected to be lower in 2027-28 than 2019-20, and the typical household expected to be worse-off by £694/year by 2027-28 as a result of Tory government policies (Resolution Foundation)  
• Households will pay an extra £67 a month for energy bills - after the Chancellor scrapped the Energy Bill Support Scheme with immediate effect.  
• Brexit is forecast to deal a 4% hit to UK GDP - with UK imports and exports expected to be 15 per cent lower than if the UK had remained in the EU (Source: OBR)  
• The UK is set to suffer slower growth this year than any other major economy, including sanction-hit Russia (Source: OBR) 

  
​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." 

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.   
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“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. 
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“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

COLIN BEATTIE MSP URGES CONSTITUENTS NOT TO MISS OUT ON ENERGY BILL SUPPORT
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Colin Beattie MSP has urged constituents not to miss out on the energy bill support available to them, especially those who reside in residential park homes and those on prepayment meters.

For those who reside in park homes or pay for energy through a landlord, housing manager or site owner, you must apply on the UK Government website to receive £400 in energy bill relief.

For those on prepayment meters, vouchers are issued to you each month and remain valid for only three months with the final expiry date of 30 June 2023.

Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh said:

“It is vital people do not miss out on the help that they are entitled to.

“In most cases, the majority of households have received the £400 payment in energy bill support automatically. However, this is not the case for everyone.

“I am urging park home residents in my constituency to apply for the support and those on prepayment meters to redeem their vouchers before they expire.

“If you reside in a park home, you can apply online at: https://www.gov.uk/apply-energy-bill-support-if-not-automatic or call 0808 175 3287 for assistance. For those receiving energy bill support vouchers, these can be redeemed at your nearest PayPoint.”

 

2,092 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN HEADED TO WORK OR FURTHER EDUCATION  
  
95.4% of school leavers from Midlothian and 95.6% of school leavers from East Lothian are in positive destinations, according to new statistics from the Scottish Government.  
  
Last year saw the highest number of young people across Scotland in work, education or further training after leaving school since records began.  
  
Of these school leavers, a record 25.1% had secured employment- the highest number since records began.  
  
The statistics also show a further reduction in the overall attainment gap across Scotland, with the gap between school leavers from the most and least deprived areas progressing after school narrowing to a record low of 4.4 percentage points.  
  
Commenting on the latest statistics, Colin Beattie said: 
  
“These record-breaking figures show that the Scottish Government’s education recovery plan is working and young people in Midlothian and East Lothian are continuing to succeed despite unprecedented challenges in recent years. 
  
“Education is a clear priority for this SNP Scottish Government, and I am delighted that 2,092 young people in Midlothian and East Lothian have secured a place in further education or employment three months after leaving school. 
  
“These figures also show good progress in closing the poverty-related gap – with those from the least and most deprived areas going onto a positive destination at a record-low. 
  
“These encouraging numbers are a testament to the hard work and dedication of all Midlothian and East Lothian’s teachers, parents and, of course, young people, and is something everyone in the community should be proud of.  
  
“Opposition parties want to downplay our young people’s achievements, but these numbers don’t lie. SNP action is delivering in Scottish Education, and it is right that all parties celebrate our school leavers’ success.” ​