£2.5million has been spent this year in Midlothian and East Lothian mitigating cruel Tory cuts including the disgraceful bedroom tax.
 
In 2021/22 £2.5million was provided by the SNP Scottish Government in Discretionary Housing Payments to protect families from cuts, with over £2million spent mitigating the impact of the cruel Tory bedroom tax in Midlothian and East Lothian.
 
Across Scotland £82million has been used to mitigate Tory cuts, with £71m spent to protect households from the bedroom tax.
 
Commenting, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie said:
 
“The introduction of the bedroom tax has been one of the cruellest policies introduced by this UK Tory government as it targets the most vulnerable in our society.
 
“The SNP Scottish Government has spent millions across Scotland, including in Midlothian and East Lothian to protect households from the most devastating impacts of Tory cuts and policies. This is money that could be invested on pulling people out of poverty but instead the Scottish Government has to mitigate against the Tories pushing people further towards poverty.
 
“This demonstrates the tale of two governments facing the people of Scotland as we have one in London implementing cruel policies such as the bedroom tax, whereas we have one in Edinburgh investing in a social security system built on fairness, dignity and respect.
 
“However, the Scottish Government should not have to clean up the mess left by the Tories. That is why we must have the full powers of independence to build a fairer, more equal Scotland.”

£50,000 EILIDH'S TRUST FUND TO SUPPORT SCOTLAND'S YOUNG MUSICIANS 
 
East Lothian MSP, Paul McLennan, and Midlothian North and Musselburgh MSP, Colin Beattie, are inviting East Lothian youth music groups to bid for financial support from the Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust to help them grow and develop their music tuition capacity and ensure lessons continue to be available to all. 
 
The Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust - established in memory of the 14-year-old musician from the Isle of Barra who died in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack - has launched its largest ever funding round for youth music group.  
 
Charity trustees agreed to create the fund to remember Eilidh on the fifth anniversary of the arena attack. The fund is especially timely as many households across the country struggle with increased living costs with the potential to impact on their ability to continue to pay music lesson fees and expenses. 
 
The special anniversary fund seeks to ensure young musicians across the country are supported in their tuition by providing funding across a range of areas such as teaching costs, equipment, travel costs and venue hire. 
 
To date, the trust has funded over 30 youth music groups and individuals from Orkney to the Borders, supporting budding artists to grow their skills, thrive in a fun learning environment and, in many instances, allowing them to restart their lessons as we emerge from the pandemic. 
 
Welcoming the fund, East Lothian MSP, Paul McLennan said:  
 
“Music has the power to completely transform lives. It brings together entire communities, and it is a vital way for all of us to connect with one another – across generations, language barriers and borders - through the sharing of our stories, feelings, and cultures.  
 
“Eilidh was a talented young musician who adored music. This fitting tribute will ensure that the special place music had in her life will be carried through to others by empowering young people across Scotland to achieve their own dreams through music. Eilidh’s legacy, and the benefits of this funding, will change lives for years to come.”  
 
Midlothian North and Musselburgh MSP, Colin Beattie said:  

“Music is an important part of many young people’s lives and it is essential that we continue to make it accessible to all.
 
“Eilidh’s passing was incredibly tragic. The work that has been done to set up the fund has been excellent and will go some way to creating Scotland’s future musicians, which will be a fitting tribute to Eilidh’s life.”

Youth music groups that are keen to be considered for small grant funding should contact Eilidh’s Trust outlining the following details: 

• The group’s background and history 
• The nature of the group’s needs and how Eilidh’s Trust funding would benefit the young musicians in their group 
• The group’s compliance with all regulations for safeguarding and protection of children and young people. 

Applications should be sent to: hello@eilidhstrust.org.uk