SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN THROUGH THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS 
  
SNP MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed new details of a major expansion of this year’s Fuel Insecurity Fund which will further support families in Midlothian and East Lothian with their energy bills. 
  
With the fund tripling to £30 million this year, households in Midlothian and East Lothian will also benefit through the SNP Scottish Government’s allocation of £9 million to enable Advice Direct Scotland to administer Home Heating Support Fund grants to those struggling with the rapid increase in energy prices. 
  
£8.5 million will also be allocated to the Fuel Bank Foundation to support over 85,000 households, including those with prepayment meters and at risk of imminent disconnection, and £7.25 million will be directed to enable the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations to provide more than 55,000 households across Scotland with advice, support with bills and energy-saving items. 
  
Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said: 
  
“Families in Midlothian and East Lothian are still paying the price of this Tory cost of living crisis, and these new funding commitments show just how this SNP Government is stepping up for people living in Midlothian and East Lothian, who are tired of being ignored by Westminster parties. 
  
“Where Westminster is failing to deliver, the SNP is bending over backwards to mitigate their cruel austerity measures  – but while the key policy levers remain in the hands of the Tories, the Scottish Government will always be taking action with one hand behind its back. 
  
“For as long as we’re tied to this broken union, people across Scotland will continue to suffer the consequences of Westminster control because the Scottish Government can only go so far in its support- but with the powers of independence we can take back the powers to deliver real, sustained change for Scotland’s communities.” ​

SNP: ONLY INDEPENDENCE CAN DELIVER IN HEALTHCARE FOR PEOPLE IN MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN
 
Colin Beattie MSP has slammed the Tory Government for putting increased pressure on NHS Lothian after new research has revealed more than a quarter of Scots have sought NHS treatment due to the impact of the cost of living crisis on their health.
 
The damning report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said the cost of living crisis had deepened a “cycle of health inequality” that was "failing our people and turning up the pressure on the NHS.”
 
With food prices continuing to soar and rapidly inflating energy bills making it difficult for people to keep warm, more people in Midlothian and East Lothian are having to seek out either physical or acute mental health treatment for conditions.
 
Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said:
 
“This corrupt Tory Government is failing the people of Midlothian and East Lothian; failing to deliver affordable food; failing to tackle rising energy costs and now failing them when it comes to their health. Midlothian and East Lothian deserves better.
 
“Whether it’s from neglect or threat of privatisation, it’s no secret that our NHS is not safe in the hands of the Tories in Westminster, and this pressure should be seen as a foreshadowing of what’s to come under their control.
 
“With the Tories and Labour providing no alternative to the brutal impact of Westminster control, the SNP Government is digging deep with what few powers it has to mitigate the Tories’ cruel cuts and claw backs. It's clear that only in an independent Scotland can we do more than just mitigate and build a robust healthcare system that looks after everyone.”