 41,408 BABY BOXES ALREADY DELIVERED IN NHS LOTHIAN
Midlothian North and Musselburgh SNP MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed the news that Scotland’s Baby Box – 41,408 of which have already been delivered across NHS Lothian – is receiving a makeover for its fifth birthday. The Scottish Government introduced the Baby Boxes scheme in 2017, entitling every newborn in Scotland to a box containing essential items intended to make sure that every child has the best possible start in life. Based the latest figures for number of Baby Boxes given out by health boards, 235 622 boxes have been distributed to parents across Scotland since the start of the project. Commenting MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, said: “I am delighted that Scotland’s much cherished Baby Box is being given a makeover in time for its fifth anniversary. Already, 41,408 baby boxes have been delivered across NHS Lothian by the SNP in government since 2017. “With updated clothing designs, the refreshed baby box also now includes a baby toothbrush to promote oral health from the very beginning of a baby’s life. “The arrival of a new baby is a wonderful moment for every family in Midlothian and East Lothian but, as every new parent no doubt appreciates, the costs of welcoming a new addition to the family are significant - particularly when household budgets are under increasing pressure with the cost-of-living crisis. “Regardless of the circumstances of new mums and dads, receiving a baby box as a celebration of their new arrivals - and the essential items needed for the first six months of their child’s life – really is a welcome gift. “And the addition of a toothbrush in the baby box for the first time will hopefully encourage good dental health from the beginning and all the way through life. “The baby box is one of many transformative actions the SNP is taking to make a real difference to children and families on low incomes – like the game changing Scottish Child payment, which will soon be £25 per week per child. “While the SNP government continues to deliver bold policies in government for a fairer Scotland, with the limited powers at its disposal, it is only with the full powers of independence that we can properly build a better future that works for everyone.”
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 Colin Beattie MSP has expressed his delight as work on the first A68 crossing located near the community centre in Pathhead began on Monday 24 October.
The A68 Focus Group which is chaired by Mr Beattie worked with key stakeholder Transport Scotland to secure funding for two controlled crossing points within Pathhead subject to community agreement. There have been two residential surveys which sought the opinion of the local community to determine the best location for the two crossings. It was agreed that outside the community centre and the top of Roman Camp were the most suitable options. The crossings will make the A68 safer for both road users and pedestrians. Local MSP and A68 Chair, Colin Beattie commented: “I am pleased to see work start on the first crossing on the A68 in Pathhead. “The A68 through Pathhead has long been in need of improvements and is the local road which connects families, friends and communities. “Community engagement has been key throughout the process of determining the location of the crossings. These crossings will not only make it safer for all in the community but address the wider concerns regarding road safety, speeding and access to community facilities. “I would like to thank residents of Pathhead, the Tynewater Community Council, Transport Scotland and all involved in the A68 Focus Group for their support in making this happen.” ENDS Notes Information on the works can be found at: https://www.traffic.gov.scot/travel-news/projects-and-events/new-pedestrian-crossing-a68-pathhead Image Credit: BEAR Scotland  WESTMINSTER CONTROL AGAIN EXPOSES DEEP FLAWS OF DEVOLUTION
SNP MSP Colin Beattie has warned struggling households in Midlothian and East Lothian could face bills of up to £5,000 next April after the Tories performed another screeching U-turn and scrapped protections offered to families on the energy price cap - and Labour abstained on an SNP amendment that would have prevented this. In scrapping the majority of the proposals contained in former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s financial statement, the latest Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a scaling back of the energy price cap freeze, which will now last for only six months instead of the two years initially promised. SNP MSP Colin Beattie branded the decision reckless, warning households in Midlothian and East Lothian face massive energy bill rises again in April 2023. Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “There is no doubt Scots are paying a heavy price for Westminster’s failures and would be better off with the full powers of independence. “This calamitous UK Tory government has reversed its proposals that crashed the UK economy and recklessly removed the very little protection they offered to households through an ever-worsening cost of living crisis. “First they were way too late to act on energy bills, and now households in Midlothian and East Lothian face even bigger rises in April when the help is scaled back in the latest example of Westminster austerity. “What’s worse is that, given a chance to stand up for struggling households, the Labour Party once again sat on its hands and refused to offer up real opposition, leaving families in the firing line. “Labour’s failure to support the SNP once again exposes the democratic deficit where the vast majority of Scotland’s MPs vote one way while Westminster MPs vote for the total opposite. This is an intolerable situation we would escape with independence. "Scots should no longer be forced to bear the rising cost of Westminster failure. We need the full powers of independence to set a better path and escape the Tories for good.”  Colin Beattie has urged people in Midlothian and East Lothian to take extra care if using alternative heating and lighting methods to try to keep energy bills down this winter following a warning from the fire service.
As a result of the Tory made cost-of-living crisis, people are turning to alternative energy sources like wood-burning, candles and electric blankets. In response, the fire service has warned people could ‘inadvertently’ put themselves in danger of accidental fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Colin Beattie has echoed those calls for people in Midlothian and East Lothian to take extra care if they need to use alternative energy sources over the winter. Commenting, Colin Beattie said: “Thousands of people will be in a desperate situation this winter due to the Tory cost-of-living crisis and being forced to turn to alternative ways of heating their homes. “In a country as rich as the UK people should not have to turn to wood-burning to heat their homes and candles for light. “However, if anyone is forced to use these methods, I would urge them to do so with extra caution as these can present an additional fire hazard in the home. “With so many people facing difficulties in keeping warm this winter, I would encourage everyone in Midlothian and East Lothian to be extra vigilant to avoid putting themselves and their households in avoidable danger."  Colin Beattie MSP welcomed new powers to ensure the safe use of fireworks which are set to come into force on Monday 10 October.
The legislation makes it a criminal offence for anyone to supply fireworks or other pyrotechnic articles to a child or person under 18. The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 passed by the Scottish Parliament on 29 June includes a number of provisions to improve public safety across Scotland and work is progressing to ensure all powers set out in the Act are put in place in a timely manner. SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie commented: “I am pleased to see these powers come into effect, especially ahead of Bonfire Night. “The supply of fireworks or other pyrotechnic articles to a child or person under age 18 will now be a criminal offence and those in breach of the legislation can face £5,000 fine, six-months imprisonment, or both. “Fireworks can be enjoyed but it is vital that they are done so safety. We have seen year after year the devastating life-changing injuries fireworks cause to both humans and animals if they are in the wrong hands. “This is a massive step to ensuring greater public safety and making Midlothian and East Lothian safer.” |
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