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Monday 18 July: Colin Beattie local MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh visited Sainsbury’s Straiton store today to meet colleagues and local customers. He was welcomed by Store Manager, Sharon Matthews and was taken on a tour of the 48,945 sq ft superstore in Loanhead.
Colin learned about the store’s new Local Charity Partner, SAMH, which is Scotland leading mental health charity that works hard every day to ensure that people are talking about mental health to try and get rid of the stigma that mental health carries. Colin Beattie MSP said: ‘It’s always a pleasure visiting Sainsbury’s at Straiton. I applaud the initiatives the store takes to help the local community, and I was particularly pleased to hear that SAMH is the store’s new Local Charity Partner. There’s no doubt that mental health is one of the biggest health concerns of recent times; it’s great to see Sainsbury’s helping to break down the stigmas surrounding this issue.’ Sharon Matthews, Store Manager at Sainsbury’s Straiton added: “It has been great having Colin in our store to introduce him to our customers and colleagues. I’m incredibly proud of my team, our store and the impact we have on the community. Colin was especially interested in our local charities and understanding more about our work in the community. He has even invited me to the Scottish Parliament for a visit.”
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SNP MSP Colin Beattie has today welcomed the announcement of a new ten year strategy to protect Scotland’s most flood-prone communities – including funding of £746,000 for projects in East Lothian.
The plan – announced by the First Minister earlier this week – will support local flood risk management plans, fund more than 130 flood protection studies and deliver 40 new flood protection projects across Scotland – protecting more than 10,000 homes. Commenting, Mr Beattie said: “Earlier this year, we saw the devastating effects flooding can have on local communities. This new strategy will help protect households in Musselburgh and across East Lothian from the impact of future adverse weather. “Investment in flood protection schemes and associated infrastructure is critical to protecting vulnerable householders, businesses and communities – and I am delighted to see the SNP in government working in partnership with local government on this important issue. “The plan set out by the First Minister this week will give East Lothian Council the certainty they need to deliver the actions set out in their Local Flood Risk Management Plans to help protect individuals, businesses and communities from the danger of flooding.” SNP MSP Colin Beattie has called on constituents living in Midlothian North and Musselburgh to join the NHS Organ Donor Register following the launch of a new TV publicity campaign by NHS Scotland.
The ‘We Need Everybody’ campaign is seeking to highlight that anyone can be an organ donor, and that by having more people on the Register, more lives can be saved across the country. Currently less than one per cent of deaths in Scotland occur when the person is able to donate their organs, which is why it is vital that more people sign up to the NHS register. Mr Beattie commented: “This is an important campaign – one which will help save lives in my constituency and across Scotland. “Signing up to the Organ Donor Register could not be easier. I would encourage my constituents to spare the two minutes that it takes to sign up and join the 43% of Scots currently registered. “The We Need Everybody campaign is about driving home the fact that everybody has it in them to save a life. The Organ Donor Register is a vital resource for our NHS and, with 540 people currently waiting for a life-saving transplant, it is as vital a time as ever to sign up and help save a life.” The SNP has today called on Theresa May to publicly welcome the contribution of EU nationals living in the UK following the outcome of the EU referendum like her cabinet colleague Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has done.
SNP MP Stephen Gethins pressed Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond to echo statements made by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon - in the hours after the referendum vote and numerous times since – that underline the valuable contribution EU nationals make to life in Scotland and how welcome they are. Philip Hammond said that he was happy to recognise the role of EU nationals and reiterate that they are welcome in the UK while giving evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee earlier today (Thursday) on foreign policy developments. Stephen Gethins MP, the SNP’s Europe spokesperson, said: “EU nationals living and working in Scotland make an outstanding contribution to life in Scotland but many are understandably anxious and concerned by the UK-wide vote to leave the EU and what that will mean for them and their families. “It is shameful that is has taken two weeks since the EU referendum vote for anyone in the UK Government to echo Nicola Sturgeon's reassuring comments. Theresa May as Home Secretary has failed to guarantee the rights of EU families living and working here to stay in the UK – her failure to do so is completely shameful and has only added to the uncertainty many people now face. “And when MPs debated a motion on EU nationals living in the UK earlier this week, only a handful of Tories voted in favour of supporting them – which is an abysmal way for the UK Government to treat those who call the UK home. “Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU and I’m pleased that Nicola Sturgeon has made it absolutely clear how lucky Scotland is to have so many people from all over the EU call Scotland home. “The Scottish Government is doing everything possible to protect Scotland’s place in the EU – it is vital that the UK Government respects those who have decided to make a life in Scotland and I call on Theresa May to promise that she will do everything in her power to protect their status here in the UK.” |
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