SCHOOLS BACK: SNP PROVIDE BEST SUPPORT TO FAMILIES ON THESE ISLANDS
 
SNP MSP Colin Beattie has said Scottish families get the best support on these islands as children head back to school this week in Midlothian North.

Colin Beattie highlighted the range of support available with the cost of learning, including the Best Start School Age Payment, with 345 payments made to families in Midlothian last year.
 
The payment is a one-off payment of £331.95 to eligible families when their child starts primary school, helping with essentials such as school uniforms, shoes, and bags.
 
Meanwhile, thanks to action taken by the SNP in government, over 360,000 children in Scotland are entitled to free school meals, saving families around £450 per eligible child per year. This includes every child in P1 to P5. Over the course of the new Parliament, the SNP Scottish Government will expand entitlement further so every child at primary school can benefit from a free, healthy, nutritious school meal.
 
On top of that, to help with the cost of uniforms, the SNP increased the national minimum School Clothing Grant to at least £120 for primary pupils and £150 for secondary pupils.
 
Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said:
 
“The start of the school year is an exciting time for children, but it can be a financially challenging time for families especially with the cost of living crisis hitting Scottish households hard.  
 
“That’s why it is absolutely right we are providing the best cost of living support package on these islands including supporting Scottish families as the kids go back to school.
 
“Last year, 345 payments were made in Midlothian North through the Best Start School Age Payment to help families with the cost of having a child starting school, while we’ve expanded free school meals and increased the School Clothing Grant.
 
“Westminster has let the cost of living crisis spiral out of control, but here in Scotland the SNP Scottish Government is doing what we can to support Scottish families and ensure every child has the best possible start in life.”  
 
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​BOOST FOR MIDLOTHIAN NORTH YOUNG PEOPLE IN WORLD CUP AND COMMONWEALTH GAMES YEAR
 
Local MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed the £229,000 given to Midlothian as part of the ‘summer of sport’ programme for schoolchildren in Midlothian North by the Scottish Government - part of £12m awarded to local authorities across Scotland. 
 
Over the summer, thousands of young Scots benefit from a range of free and low-cost sport activities, freeing up time for hardworking families and promoting healthy living.  
 
The £20m total fund came as part of the recent Scottish Budget, which also set the ball rolling on the SNPs plan to expand free swimming lessons to every single primary school child in Scotland. 
 
The fund is supporting young people getting involved in sports in a year to remember for sports in Scotland - returning to the World Cup for the first time in nearly 30 years and hosting the Commonwealth games. 
 
Commenting, local MSP Colin Beattie said:  
 
“I’m really pleased that young people in Midlothian North are set to benefit from the summer of sport funding, something I was proud to back as part of the SNP government's budget for this year.
 
“Between the World Cup and hosting the Commonwealth games, this has been a year to remember for sport in Scotland, and I hope this funding will contribute to that feeling for our young people.
 
“The SNP is taking action to improve the opportunities and livelihoods of our young people here in Midlothian North and across Scotland.”  
 
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MSP WELCOMES RECORD NUMBER OF 18-YEAR-OLDS SECURING UNI PLACE
 
MSP for Midlothian North, Colin Beattie, has hailed new figures that show a record number of 18-year-olds securing a place at university.
 
UCAS figures reveal the number increased to 17,920 – a record high for Scottish students on exam results day, up from 17,350 the previous year.
 
Importantly, this includes a record high number of 18-year-olds from Scotland’s most deprived areas, up by almost 7% to 2,090. Overall acceptances to university – by Scots of all ages – has reached 32,370.
 
The data highlights the positive impact of the SNP’s longstanding commitment to free tuition and widening access.
 
Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said:
 
“This is fantastic news for young people in Midlothian North and across Scotland. A record number of 18-year-olds securing a place at university is testament to their hard work and the support of their families and teachers.
 
“It is particularly welcome that record numbers of young people from Scotland’s most deprived areas have fulfilled their ambition to go to university.
 
“At a time when students in other parts of the UK face eyewatering levels of debt, the SNP’s continued commitment to free tuition is opening opportunities for young people here in Midlothian North.
 
“Exam results this week show that poverty related attainment gap has narrowed thanks to the SNP government investing £1.75 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the past decade.
 
“Of course, university isn’t the right choice for everyone and that’s why it is so welcome to see record a record number of vocational and technical qualifications being achieved by students this year.
 
“The SNP will always be committed to ensuring that access to education is based on the ability to learn and not the ability to pay, and that the opportunity of a university education is available to everyone.”
 
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ATTAINMENT GAP NARROWS AS MSP HIGHLIGHTS SUPPORT FOR NEXT STEPS
 
Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North has praised the hard work of learners and teachers with exam passes up at all levels.
 
As students across Midlothian North receive their exam results, pass rates for National 5, Highers and Advanced Highers have all increased again, including a record number of National 5 passes.
 
Meanwhile, learners have also achieved a record number of vocational and technical qualifications, up by 121% on pre-pandemic levels.
 
The results also show that the poverty related attainment gap has narrowed compared with last year and pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
 
Now, Colin Beattie MSP has highlighted support available to help pupils and families take their next steps with confidence.
 
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) offers a free Results Helpline, providing expert advice on everything from:
 
- UCAS confirmation and clearing
- College and university vacancies
- Foundation, Modern, and Graduate Apprenticeships
- Job, volunteering, and training opportunities
- Staying on at school
 
The helpline, staffed by experienced careers advisers, is available at 0808 100 8000, open from 8am to 8pm on the 4th and 5th August, and 9am to 5pm on the 6th and 7th. Locally, students can also access one-to-one guidance by dropping into a SDS Careers Centre, open throughout Results Week.
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“Today is a moment of pride for so many young people, their families and teachers - I want to congratulate everyone in Midlothian North.
 
“Across the Scotland, pass rates have increased with a record number of National 5 passes and our learners have also achieved a record number of vocational and technical qualifications – that’s something our schools, colleges and young people should be proud of.
 
“John Swinney is focussed on narrowing the attainment gap and having empowered headteachers and invested £1.75 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the past decade, I am particularly delighted to see that gap narrow today. 
 
“Today can be a whirlwind of emotions, with some experiencing joy, relief, disappointment, or uncertainty - that’s why we have ensured every young person has access to free, professional guidance. There is no wrong path.
 
“Equality of opportunity is something the SNP Scottish Government will always put front and centre of our education system – today reflects that and I wish all young people in Midlothian North all the very best in whatever they choose to do next.”
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SNP POLICY GIVES CASH SUPPORT TO FAMILIES IN MIDLOTHIAN WITH KIDS IN HOSPITAL 
 
Midlothian North MSP has today welcomed figures from the Scottish Government showing 2,216 families have received financial support while their children undergo a stay in hospital.
 
Through the Young Patients Family Fund, the SNP Scottish Government has provided £532,535 to families across the Lothian region in the 2025/26 financial year.
 
The YPFF is a Scottish Government scheme providing financial help for travel, food, and accommodation costs to parents, primary carers, and siblings (under 18) visiting a young inpatient in a hospital. 
 
Launched by the SNP Scottish Government in 2021, the unique to Scotland fund has helped thousands of families through the difficult experience of a young loved one undergoing a long stay in hospital.
 
Commenting, Colin Beattie said: 
 
“This money makes a real difference to families in what can be a very difficult time so it’s great to see that the Young Patients Family Fund has supported 2,216 families in the Lothians over the last year.
 
“That cash support is vital in helping parents visit their children in hospital, giving that extra bit of support for families in their time of need – this policy is unique to Scotland, having been in place for five years now, and I am proud that we’ve taken the decision to step in here. 
 
“We know any time in hospital can be stressful for children and their family, so it is absolutely right that we try to relieve some of that difficulty for families not just here in Midlothian, but across Scotland.”
  
“Whether is 1,140 hours of free childcare, expanding breakfast clubs, the baby box, or the Young Patients Family Fund, the SNP is committed to ensuring Scotland is the very best place to raise a family.”
 
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