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Colin Beattie MSP has welcomed the publishing of ‘Citizenship in an independent Scotland’; a new Independence Paper from the Scottish Government which outlines what an independent Scotland’s vision for a fairer, inclusive and welcoming approach to citizenship would look like, and how this would be key in tackling population decline and growing the economy.
By adopting an inclusive approach to citizenship, as outlined in fifth paper in the SNP Government’s ‘Building a New Scotland’ series, more people would be able and attracted to live and work in Scotland and Midlothian North and Musselburgh; boosting local and national economies and also Scotland’s population. The process would be modelled on the Irish citizenship system; allowing those born outwith the country after independence to be automatically entitled to Scottish citizenship, if one of their parents is a Scottish citizen. The paper also includes proposals for a fairer fee system for citizenship applications and a commitment to establish an independent Migrants’ Commissioners, which was a key recommendation of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review. This compassionate approach, centred on upholding human rights, is in stark contrast to the inhuman and not-fit-for-purpose immigration system championed by Westminster Tories, who’s Illegal Migration Bill has been heavily criticised for breaching legal obligations to refugees fleeing conflict. Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh said: “Scotland and Midlothian North and Musselburgh wants no part to play in the Tory government’s punitive and exclusionary approach to citizenship and immigration, and I welcome this new paper from the Scottish Government – which shows how we can use an inclusive approach to citizenship in an independent Scotland to grow our population and support our economies to thrive. “Scotland is known globally for our welcoming people and hospitable traditions, so it’s only right that the approach of an independent Scotland to citizenship reflects this, and leaves no one with a rightful claim out in the cold. “From a hard Brexit they didn’t vote for to an austerity driven cost of living crisis, people in Scotland are paying a heavy price for being tied to the compassionless Westminster Tories, who’s unelected Lords and over privileged ministers have no place dictating Scotland’s democratic institution. It’s time to choose a better path with independence and build a welcoming and economically prosperous Scotland that leaves the light on for all."
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 The final report from the highly anticipated External Review into Access and Capacity of Riverside Medical Practice and Associated Services has now been published.Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, has praised the work carried out by the external review team, and that of Riverside Medical Practice in identifying the issues and establishing where improvements needed made to improve the overall patient experience.
The initial report, following 5 months of information gathering, made 17 recommendations where improvements should be made. Following 6 months of work by Riverside Medical Practice and East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, progress has been made with many of these 17 recommendations and work will be ongoing with several others. Commenting, Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh said “I am extremely grateful to all involved with bringing together the External Review Team, and to Riverside Medical Practice for working with them to look at how to improve the patient experience for many of my constituents. For many years I have been pushing for action to be taken as it was clear that patients had concerns with accessing care, and with being able to contact the practice by telephone. Following discussions with our First Minister Humza Yousaf, in his previous role as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, I was able to stress the importance of Riverside Medical Practice within our community, and to request his support in forcing the necessary improvements to ensure all my constituents have access to medical care at the point of need. Now the independent review team have completed their role in the process, and published their final report, it is clear that whilst progress has been made, there are still many points outstanding. My hope is that Riverside Medical Practice and East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership continue to make progress on all 17 recommendations and complete the good work that has been started over the last 6 months. I do not see the process as reaching its conclusion as there is still work to be done, and as such I will continue to monitor the situation and will be looking to see continuing progress. Over the years I have been contacted by many constituents reporting their concerns with the practice and I would like to encourage patients continue to get in touch with me if they encounter issues in accessing care.” SNP MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed new measures from the Scottish Government to prevent litter and flytipping in Midlothian and East Lothian and support Scotland’s circular and zero waste economy.The new measures, which include more than doubling fines for flytipping to £500, have been brought in under a six-year National Litter and Flytipping Strategy, which sets out how national and local government, business, third sector, communities and individuals can work together to drive behaviour change, improve infrastructure and strengthen enforcement.
Other key measures include the introduction of new powers to impose a fine on the registered keeper of a vehicle from which a littering offence is committed and a new national online litter hub to provide information, advice and support to community groups and other relevant local organisations on tackling litter and littering behaviour. Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said: “This SNP Government is working hard to support Scotland's transition to a zero waste and circular economy by tidying up Scotland’s streets and neighbourhoods; these strict new measures will help to keep communities in Midlothian and East Lothian clean and safe. “Midlothian and East Lothian are wonderful places to live, with a community to take pride in, but our neighbourhoods are so often besmirched by the selfish actions of a few, through reckless flytipping and littering, which impacts on everyone who lives here. “More than doubling the fines for flytipping to £500 will surely help incentivise litter bugs to think hard before they dump rubbish onto our streets.” ENDS |
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