SNP MSP Colin Beattie has praised the 2143 volunteers in Midlothian and East Lothian who have signed up to volunteering schemes during the pandemic.
877 have volunteered with the British Red Cross in Midlothian and East Lothian while 1266 have signed up to Volunteer Scotland, according to new figures provided by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe). While not all volunteers have been called upon, many have started to deliver food parcels, ensure essential supplies and medicines reach vulnerable people and phone those who need assistance or companionship. Scotland Cares links British Red Cross and Volunteer Scotland schemes to local authority and third sector activity in communities, creating a pool of volunteers for local organisations to draw upon and deploy as required. Volunteers are matched with local needs in a range of organisational settings, when those needs arise. It is up to the requesting organisation to decide how and when volunteers are deployed. SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “The pandemic has been difficult for everyone, and many in our communities have depended on the help offered by others. “The hundreds of people in Midlothian and East Lothian who have volunteered to help are a real credit to their community and I want to thank each and every person who has signed up. “Not all volunteers have been needed so far, but volunteers will play a critical role in supporting and rebuilding our communities – and many will be asked to help in the weeks and months to come.”
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SNP MSP Colin Beattie has called on the UK government to extend the Brexit transition period in light of coronavirus – with new analysis showing billions of pounds could be wiped from the Scottish economy.
The transition arrangements currently keep the UK close to the EU and can be extended for two years – beyond 31 December - if the UK Government asks for an extension by the end of this month. But a new study from the Scottish Government says if an extension is not agreed, Scottish GDP could be up to 1.1% lower after two years. The cumulative loss of economic activity from leaving the EU would be up to £3 billion over those two years – on top of the devastating effects of the Coronavirus outbreak. The paper indicates there will be further major costs from Brexit for years to come and also highlights that without an extension or having a free trade deal in place, Scotland’s agriculture, fisheries and manufacturing sectors will be especially badly hit. Colin Beattie said: “Coronavirus is causing enormous economic disruption and people across Midlothian and East Lothian expect the government to be focused on protecting public health and the Scottish economy. “It would be an act of extraordinary recklessness for the UK government to allow us to crash out of the transition period at the end of this year. “The SNP believe the best future for Scotland is as an independent member of the EU. “But regardless of your opinion on Brexit or independence, it makes no sense to crash out of the European single market at precisely the moment we need stability. “Businesses in Midlothian and East Lothian are focused on securing their future – they simply don’t have the capacity to prepare for Brexit on top of a pandemic. “The UK government must do the sensible thing and protect jobs in Midlothian and East Lothian by extending the transition period.” Scotland’s approach to implementing the ‘test, trace, isolate, support’ strategy, Test and Protect, is now live across the country.
Test and Protect will help us gradually change the restrictions that help to suppress COVID-19 so society can adapt to a new normal. If you experience any one of the symptoms - a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – you must immediately self-isolate for a minimum of seven days. As soon as you start showing symptoms you should go to www.nhsinform.scot or call 0800 028 2816 to arrange to get tested. When contacting individuals who have tested positive, contact tracers will ask people to identify others who they’ve been in close contact with and places they’ve been 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms up until the time they’ve self-isolated. This information will then be inputted into contact tracing software and used to identify and contact those identified. The positive individual will not be named by the contact tracer in line with patient confidentiality, unless they agree to have their details disclosed to help the contact tracing process. Importantly, contact tracers will not ask anyone for information about bank accounts or medical records, and they will not try to sell you anything. The data gathered will be stored securely by NHS Scotland and safely destroyed as soon as possible after the pandemic concludes. Commenting, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie said: “I understand that people may be worried about the risks of potential phone scams, but the NHS already has a number of protections in place to stop potential fraudsters and ensure all information is kept confidential. “Contact tracers will introduce themselves, state the reason for their call, and will always identify who they are calling by name. They will not ask for information about bank accounts or medical records, and they will not try to sell you anything. “The tracers will be supported by software which builds on a tried and trusted platform, allowing teams to identify outbreaks and reduce transmission for high risk groups here in Midlothian and East Lothian. “Trace and Protect is one way we will tackle this pandemic, but physical distancing and good hand hygiene continues to play a huge role as minimise the spread of infection.” MSP PAYS TRIBUTE TO VOLUNTEERS IN MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN AS VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK KICKS OFF1/6/2020 Local MSP Colin Beattie has paid tribute to volunteers who have helped the NHS and local communities in Midlothian and East Lothian as Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) kicks off.
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the contribution and work of millions of volunteers who give up their time to help others. During this pandemic, volunteers have signed up to help in record numbers through the Scotland Cares initiative – over 53,000 in one month – joining the thousands of people who were already helping, either with one of Scotland’s many voluntary and community sector groups or informally with neighbours. MSP Colin Beattie said: “Volunteers’ Week gives us a chance to celebrate the contributions of volunteers who have made such a huge difference to their local areas. “Many people in Midlothian and East Lothian have taken on Covid-19 related volunteering roles to help communities deal with the many consequences of the coronavirus, and it’s more important than ever to show our appreciation for their hard work. “I want to say massive thank you to all of the volunteers who have helped the NHS & their local communities during the Covid-19 pandemic and continue to do so.” “Volunteers will be critical in our efforts to support and rebuild our communities, and I am sure I speak for everyone in Midlothian and East Lothian when I say we are all appreciative and grateful to those who are ensuring people across the country get the help and support they need." ELIGIBLE FAMILIES WILL RECEIVE £250 AHEAD OF NEW SCHOOL TERM
Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh has encouraged parents of children aged four to five to apply for the SNP Government’s Best Start Grant. A one-off £250 payment is currently open to eligible families, with a child who was born between 1st March 2015 and 29th February 2016, who will be starting primary school later this year. The School Age payment can be used for anything from a new pair of school shoes or arts and crafts materials for children. The payment is part of the SNP Government’s Best Start Grant, a package of three payments for families in receipt of eligible benefits – including Universal Credit and Housing Benefit – to help at key stages in a child’s life. Commenting, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie said: “Covering the costs of a child starting school can be tough on family finances, especially in the current climate. “The SNP Government’s school age payment offers low income families, or those who receive support like Universal Credit, a £250 payment around the time children start at primary school. “We’re absolutely determined that every child, regardless of circumstances, gets the best start in life. So in these unprecedented and difficult times, I’d encourage families across Midlothian and East Lothian to check what other financial support they may be eligible for too – such as school clothing grants or free school meals.” |
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