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Christmas can be a difficult time, and sometimes we all need a bit of extra support. Whilst my offices are closed until 6 January 2025, there is still help and advice available. Some important emergency contact are listed below for your reference:
Emergency Services – 999 Non-Emergency (Police) – 101 Non-Emergency (NHS) – 111 Midlothian Council:
East Lothian Council:
Scottish Water – 0800 0778 778 SEPA Floodline – 0345 988 1188 SP Energy Networks – 105 Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111 Childline – 0800 1111 Drugs and Alcohol Support (call Frank) – 0800 77 66 00 Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 027 1234 Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87 Samaritans – 116 123 NHS 24 Mental Health HUB – 111 Shelter Scotland – 0808 800 4444
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SNP BUDGET PROMISES ABOVE INFLATION INCREASE IN EDUCATION SPENDING
OPPOSITION PARTIES MUST BACK FUNDING FOR EDUCATION IN MIDLOTHIAN NORTH AND MUSSELBURGH SNP MSP Colin Beattie has demanded local opposition MSPs Jeremy Balfour back the Scottish Government’s Budget to deliver an above inflation increase in spending for education. Opposition politicians can show their support for Midlothian North and Musselburgh’s young people by backing the Budgets £158 million increase in education spending - a 3% increase over and above inflation. The increased funding will be used to reform education bodies, maintain teacher numbers, and improve ASN (Additional Support Needs) services with a £29 million investment. This Budget also includes £120 million for headteachers to address the poverty-related attainment gap. Additional funding has been allocated to expand breakfast club availability through the ‘Bright Start Breakfasts’ initiative and extend free school meals to primary 6 and 7 children from low-income families. Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “The above inflation investment announced by the SNP Scottish Government will make a real difference to young people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh – ensuring improved support for ASN pupils, maintaining teacher numbers, and providing more resources for headteachers to tackle the attainment gap. “If opposition parties want more investment in education and our young people, then they must vote for it by backing this Budget. “While the UK Labour government has failed to deliver significant investment in education, the SNP is committed to prioritising Scotland’s future by investing in schools, teachers, and our young people. “Opposition parties now have the opportunity to show that they support Scotland’s young people and schools in Midlothian North and Musselburgh by backing this budget to deliver substantial investment in education.” ENDS Colin Beattie MSP said the Scottish Budget an “enormous step forward” in achieving the Scottish Government’s mission of eradicating child poverty in Midlothian North and Musselburgh as progress begins in ending Labour’s two-child cap.
The two-child cap was introduced by the Tories as part of their programme of austerity and has been subsequently adopted by Labour as one of their policies, despite their previous promises to scrap it. Across Scotland the cap impacts 83,000 children and 26,000 households – that’s 980 families in East Lothian and Midlothian alone. By ending it the SNP government will lift 15,000 children out of poverty. Commenting, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh said: “The two-child cap is an abhorrent policy that has harmed 980 households in East Lothian and Midlothian. “Yet it is another Tory policy which Labour has adopted as one of their own. “With 83,000 children across Scotland impacted, it is right that this SNP Government has made the decision to end the cap once and for all – lifting 15,000 children out of poverty and making progress on the key mission of this government: to eradicate child poverty once and for all. “It is disappointing that the Labour UK government has chosen to maintain the cap, and I would urge their colleagues in the Scottish Parliament to choose differently and back this budget; made for Scotland, by Scotland.” The SNP Government’s Budget will deliver progress for Scotland, by Scotland – after listening carefully to the people of Scotland and taking action on their concerns.
SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh Colin Beattie highlighted key SNP policies which will be taken forward in the Budget which will benefit people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh including: · Record levels of NHS funding – throwing the weight of the government behind NHS improvement · Reintroducing universal winter heating payments for pensioners after they were axed by the UK Labour Government · Scrapping Labour’s Two Child Cap – lifting 15,000 children out of poverty · Increased investment in housing, supporting the delivery of 8,000 homes · Delivering a fair tax system – meaning the majority of people in Scotland pay less tax than in the rest of the UK Colin Beattie MSP said: “I am delighted at the support John Swinney’s first Budget is offering for people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh. It will deliver real progress on people’s priorities – and will offer hope, putting in place the investment for Scotland to win big in the future. “The First Minister has listened to what people have told him on the NHS – that’s why he is investing record amounts and throwing the whole weight of the government behind improving the health service, making it easier for people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh to see their GP and bringing down waiting times. “People across Midlothian North and Musselburgh have been let down by the UK Labour Government. While the UK Government’s Budget treated Scotland as an afterthought – this is a Budget that puts the people of Scotland first. “While they cut winter fuel payments, the SNP is introducing universal support and while they push kids in Midlothian North and Musselburgh into poverty with the cruel two-child cap, the SNP will scrap it and give thousands of kids a better chance in life. “All this is being achieved while delivering the fairest tax system in the UK – with the majority of people in Scotland paying less tax than south of the border. “That is what you get from a Swinney Government – listening to people’s concerns and taking strong and decisive action to deliver on their priorities.” ENDS |
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