CRIME DOES PAY IN EAST LOTHIAN AND MIDLOTHIAN

MSP COLIN BEATTIE WELCOMES CASHBACK FOR COMMUNITIES FUNDING
 
Today, Midlothian North and Musselburgh MSP Colin Beattie welcomed the news that the CashBack for Communities programme invested over £100,000 in local projects in East Lothian and Midlothian last year.
 
The Cashback for Communities scheme reinvests criminal assets into community projects which support young people into positive destinations, diverting some away from potentially criminal or anti-social behaviour. Projects that have benefited include Celtic FC Foundation, the National Autistic Society and Impact Arts, which all provide opportunities to raise the attainment, ambition and aspirations of young people from areas of deprivation.
 
Figures released today show that East Lothian benefited from £136,513 and Midlothian benefited from £119,405 of funding in 2017-18. Since the launch of the scheme in 2008, projects in East Lothian have received a total of £1,245,092 and in Midlothian have received a total of £969,590.
 
Mr Beattie commented:
 
‘This is a tremendous initiative that ensures criminals do not benefit from the proceeds of their crimes.
 
‘Every young person in this country should have an equal chance to make the most of their lives regardless of background. Promoting projects that will give our young people new skills, while displaying that crime does not pay, allows for positive life choices to be accentuated.
 
‘I would encourage any local group who thinks they can benefit from Cashback for Communities funding to apply as soon as possible.’