​CALL FOR LOCAL MSPS TO GET BEHIND ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES

SNP MSP for Midlothian North, Colin Beattie, has challenged his political opponents across Midlothian to get behind plans that will enhance investment in Scotland’s emergency services.
 
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament last month, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay MSP outlined his draft budget proposals for 2019/20 - which delivers over £1.2 billion for policing and increases spending on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service budget by £5.5 million to invest in service transformation.
 
£11.2 million will also be invested in the police workforce in 2019/20, directly benefiting police officers and police staff.
 
The Scottish Government has previously committed to protecting the police resource budget in real terms in every year of this Parliament – amounting to a boost of £100 million by 2021.
 
The SNP Government is also clear they will continue to press Westminster for return of the £175 million paid in VAT by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland, which will be re-invested in services.
 
MSPs will vote on the Finance Secretary’s draft budget proposals next month.
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“The Finance Secretary’s plans will offers real terms protection of the police resource budget, while providing over £5 million of additional resources to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to support their transformation.
 
“Both our police and fire service have been reformed in recent years, delivering greater efficiency as result – their work in Midlothian and across the wider community is invaluable.
 
“Our police officers and firefighters are some of the most heroic and dedicated public servants – I am urging MSPs from across Midlothian to get behind plans that deliver for them.”