SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN A GREENER FUTURE FOR MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN

ADDRESSING CLIMATE CRISIS KEY PRIORITY FOR SNP GOVERNMENT SPENDING
 
The SNP Scottish Government’s spending review has put Scotland’s transition to net zero and ensuring Midlothian and East Lothian benefits from a greener, fairer economy at its heart, with around £6.8 billion investment.
 
In the Resource Spending Review, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Kate Forbes, underlined the SNP Government’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis. Ms Forbes outlined measures including over £5 billion investment in rail infrastructure, £1.8 billion to deliver the Heat in Buildings strategy and expansion of the Just Transition fund to over £150 million by 2025-26. The review also set out the establishment of an Investor Panel, chaired by the First Minister, to attract investment to a pipeline of projects in Scotland that support our transition to net zero.
 
The SNP Government’s plans are underpinned by an approach to addressing climate change whilst crucially creating a more cohesive and resilient economy that improves the opportunities, life chances, and wellbeing of people across every party of Scotland including Midlothian and East Lothian.
 
Commenting SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie said:
 
“As Midlothian and East Lothian recover from the last two years and we look to the future, it is undeniable that tackling the climate emergency and transitioning to a more sustainable society is going to be hugely important.
 
“Scotland’s world-leading climate change legislation which sets a target date for net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045 is something we should be proud of but we must also be realistic that meeting these targets will not be easy. They present significant challenges but they also present significant opportunities for people in Midlothian and East Lothian that we must grasp – and having an SNP Scottish Government that understands and supports this transition is key.
 
“I was delighted to hear the SNP Finance Secretary outline investment in many areas that will have a direct and positive impact for people in Midlothian and East Lothian – from energy efficiency and zero emissions heating and supporting public transport and record investment in active travel to protecting our natural environment and supporting the creation of green jobs.
 
“The SNP’s commitment to create a stronger, fairer, greener economy benefits everyone is, however, in stark contrast to the Tory UK Government who are doing nothing to invest in the transition we need.
 
“We cannot afford to let the Tories hold us back from building and benefiting from the sustainable future we are capable of creating. The Scottish Government is putting its money where its mouth is to make sure this happens and if Westminster isn’t willing to step up then it's clear we need the full levers of independence to secure the greener, fairer and more sustainable that we deserve."