Martin Whitfield MSP has tabled a motion at the Scottish Parliament highlighting East Lothian Council’s success in being granted the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.

The South Scotland MSP’s motion welcomes the award, which has been achieved because of the authority’s work in support of the local armed forces community, and congratulates all those who have been involved in securing it.

Martin Whitfield MSP said:

“I’ve been aware of East Lothian Council’s excellent work supporting the local armed forces community for a number of years and am delighted to see that these local efforts have now been recognised in this high profile way.

“Securing the MOD’s top recognition speaks volumes about the work that has been undertaken by council staff, schools, local charities and other groups, and I’m pleased to be able to record the achievement and congratulate everyone involved with this parliamentary motion.” 

The full motion reads as follows:

Title: East Lothian Council Granted Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award

Motion Text:

That the Parliament welcomes the announcement that East Lothian Council has been granted an Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, which is the Ministry of Defence’s highest award for organisations that employ and support reservists, service leavers, veterans and their families; notes that the award has been made to the council for its work in support of the local armed forces community, including the development and signing of an East Lothian Armed Forces Covenant, which brings together key partners from the council alongside health, education, service and veterans’ organisations to create policy and practices to support armed forces personnel, both serving and retired, and their families; understands that, after receiving the Silver Award in October 2019, the council has been working closely with armed forces organisations and voluntary sector partners to undertake a range of further actions on this agenda, including the establishment of an Armed Forces Employee Network within the council, and congratulates everyone who has been involved in this important work for their success in securing the Gold Award.