Plans for a freestanding drive thru McDonald’s restaurant in Musselburgh have been rejected following an appeal to the Scottish Ministers.

Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, commented:

“I am pleased to see that these plans have now officially been refused.

“It was clear from the go ahead that this proposal was not popular amongst local constituents, many of whom contacted my office to express their views and object to these proposals.

“I objected on the grounds that there is a clear lack of correlation between planning and healthy eating strategies set out by the Scottish Government and opening a drive-thru at this site would only worsen the issue of traffic congestion in the area.

“There is already a branch in close proximity to Musselburgh and it is important that we promote and shop at local businesses ahead of the interests of large franchise companies.
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“I’m glad that the voices of the Musselburgh residents have been heard and the right decision made.”

The Scottish Government has supported 2,018 school children in Midlothian with £191,000 and 1,682 school children in East Lothian with £218,000 of support to buy school clothes through the School Clothing Grant.
 
The School Clothing Grant was increased this month by the Scottish Government and provides families with primary school children with £120 per child and £150 per child in secondary school.
 
The support helps families pay for school clothes and shoes.
 
Applications are still open for eligible parents to apply for the start of the new school year.
 
Commenting, Colin Beattie said:
 
“Already the SNP Scottish Government has helped a significant number of families in Midlothian and East Lothian with buying school clothes and shoes, applications are still open for eligible families to apply for the start of the new school year.
 
“Meeting the costs of buying school clothes can be very challenging for thousands of families across Scotland and the SNP Scottish Government has introduced the School Clothing Grant to ensure every child in Scotland doesn’t miss out.
 
“Being in a uniform not only breaks stigma in school but gets young people in the right mindset for learning.
 
“This is another demonstration of our tale of two governments as the one in Edinburgh builds a social security system built on dignity, fairness and respect. Whereas the government in Westminster is preparing to cut Universal Credit, which could plunge 20,000 children in Scotland into poverty.”
 

 

Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, refutes claims made that plans to deliver improvements to Sheriffhall Roundabout are to be scrapped.

This comes as the Scottish Government previously announced £140m investment on strategic transport improvements as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region deal. A sum of £120 million of this has been specifically allocated to supporting improvements to the A720 City Bypass for the grade separation of Sheriffhall Roundabout.

Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, commented:

“The Scottish Government are committed to delivering improvements to Sheriffhall as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.

“Following publication of draft Orders for the scheme, a significant number of representations, including objections, were received. It is only right that all those affected by these proposals have an opportunity to express their views and this is a statutory obligation that cannot be ignored.

“Currently, the Scottish Government are continuing to negotiate with objectors to try and resolve objections where possible. However, should we be unsuccessful in removing all objections, then a public local inquiry may be required.

“Delivery of the scheme itself can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for its progress can be set.

“People do have the right to object and it is important careful consideration is given to all comments received on the plans for Sheriffhall before any work starts to take place. “

Colin Beattie has welcomed the announcement from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that both Midlothian and East Lothian will move to Level 0 on Monday 19th July, as will every other local authority in Scotland, if they are not already there.
 
Moving to level 0 means that 8 people from 4 households will be able to meet indoors and 10 people from 4 households in an indoor setting such as a pub or restaurant. 15 people from 15 households can meet outdoors; up to 2,000 people can attend stadia seated, 1,000 standing, with 400 people indoors. The limit on attendance at weddings and funerals has increased to 200.
 
International travellers arriving from amber list countries will not have to self-isolate if they have had two COVID vaccines, but the advice remains not to travel unless it is essential.
 
The First Minister also made it clear that face masks will continue to be mandatory in certain settings and are likely to be in the future.
 
Commenting, Colin Beattie said:
 
“I welcome the Scottish Government’s announcement that Midlothian and East Lothian will move to Level 0 from Monday July 19th, this is a welcome step in easing restrictions and returning to normality.
 
“This is our one last push towards normality, I am very grateful for the efforts of everyone in my constituency to follow the rules and keep everyone safe.
 
“To get us over the line we need to continue to follow the rules and, if you have not already, get vaccinated. There is a walk-in centre set up here for anyone who has not yet had a first dose or if you have waited 8 or more weeks for your second dose.
 
“Vaccination is our route out of the pandemic and we are in a race between the virus and the vaccine and we cannot allow the virus to get ahead.
 
“I would urge everyone to follow the rules laid out in the First Minister’s statement to ensure we can move to a greater sense of normality on the Scottish Government’s route map on August 9th.”
 

Local MSP Colin Beattie has expressed his disappointment as Mavisbank House is turned down for funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The application was shortlisted with 12 projects from across the UK competing for a share of £50 million and aimed to support the Save Mavisbank project to redevelop Mavisbank House led by Historic Environment Scotland in partnership with the Landmark Trust.  

Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, commented:

“I am disappointed at the news that the application has been turned down for funding. The Trust submitted a high-quality application and again our heritage sides in Midlothian have been overlooked.

“I recognise the transformational change this project will have on the image of the area and the benefits it would being to Midlothian overall. I fully support the work being done to develop and preserve this fantastic site.

“I plan to meet with Historic Environment Scotland to discuss the way forward for the project.”

Midlothian Council is losing out on £2,626 and respectively, East Lothian Council is losing out on £2,563 from its GDP as a result of being part of the United Kingdom when production is compared with Scotland’s neighbours in north west Europe.

New research by the House of Commons Library shows the UK’s GDP is 12% lower than the average in north west Europe, making it worse off than countries such as Ireland, Finland and Denmark.

Currently, Midlothian Council produces £21,130 and East Lothian Council produces £20,624 but applying the 12% GDP gap, Midlothian Council could produce £23,756 and East Lothian Council could produce £23,187, if Scotland was an independent country capable of fulfilling its potential like other small European nations.

Commenting, Colin Beattie said:
“These stats are a damning indictment of Scotland’s position within the UK and just like Midlothian and East Lothian, every local authority in Scotland has a lower production level compared with countries in North West Europe that are of a similar population size to Scotland.

“Councils across Scotland, including Midlothian and East Lothian, are being held back by the UK and these stats demonstrate that. The only way Scotland can realise its full potential is by becoming an independent country.
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“As small independent countries continue to flourish, Scotland cannot be left behind. We cannot trust the Tories to protect Scotland, the only way to do that is by becoming an independent country.”
 
 

NHS Lothian has been given £27 million in extra COVID-19 funding from the Scottish Government as part of a £380million package allocated to health boards across Scotland.
 
This comes on top of the £1.7 billion already provided to health boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships last year.
 
The additional funding includes ongoing support for the vaccination programme, the Test and Protect system, and personal protective equipment for health and care workers.
 
Commenting, Colin Beattie said:
 
“NHS Lothian has been under incredible pressure during the pandemic, not only will this additional funding support the health board with its efforts to treat patients but it will also play a role in supporting our NHS in its remobilisation programme as we come out of the pandemic.
 
“It is essential that our health services can be on a sure footing as we re-emerge from the pandemic and other services that have been disrupted can restart smoothly.
 
“This is a demonstration again that the only party in Scotland that can protect Scotland’s NHS is the SNP.”

Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh is urging young people in the area to apply for the Job Start Payment if they are starting a new job after a period of unemployment.
 
The Job Start Payment is available to 16-24-year-olds who have been on certain benefits for six months or more. Eligible young people can apply for the one-off payment worth £252.50, or £404 if they have children.
 
The payment will help with the costs of starting a job including travel, new clothes or childcare.
 
Commenting, Colin Beattie said:
 
“The pandemic has been particularly difficult for young people in Midlothian and East Lothian. The Job Start Payment is a fantastic source of support for young people to ensure they can get off to a good start in a new job.
 
“Starting a new job can be very expensive for young people when you take into consideration the costs of travel, buying clothes and other costs associated with a new job.
 
“I would encourage all young people who have been unemployed for a long period of time and are starting a new job or have recently started one to apply for this support.”

For more information on how to apply, visit: ​https://www.mygov.scot/job-start-payment