My office is now closed until Wednesday 4th January. Emails will be monitored and emergencies responded to if required. Details of local council office closures and emergency contact details over the festive period are available online at: East Lothian Scottish Borders Midlothian South Lanarkshire Dumfries & Galloway South Ayrshire East Ayrshire
In my last column I highlighted the vital importance of the Scottish Government giving East Lothian and other local authorities fair funding for the year ahead. In fact, independent sources have said last week’s Budget settlement was equal to a 4.9 per cent real terms decrease in funding. This leaves local authorities across Scotland with [...]
Postal workers across the South Scotland region deserve our thanks and support this Postal Workers Day, says Martin Whitfield MSP. 21st December is the annual National Postal Workers Day and this year postal workers across the UK are engaged in a dispute over their pay and conditions, as well as the future of the Royal [...]
Martin Whitfield MSP has joined local councillors John McMillan and Brooke Ritchie on a visit to Prestonpans' historic Carnegie Library to chat to staff and service users. In 1905 philanthropist Andrew Carnegie gifted £1,500 to build the library at the request of the community who in turn funded over 3,000 books to fill it. In [...]
Martin Whitfield MSP has urged the Scottish government to ensure students do not bear the brunt of the cost of living crisis after highlighting the plight of some during the recent freezing temperatures. St Andrews student Lucy Penman’s case was raised yesterday at FMQs, after she warned that students were being forced to leave dangerously [...]
Martin Whitfield MSP has praised a showcase of woodworking and turning produced by three young people from Preston Lodge and North Berwick High Schools following placements with local business Why-Aye Wood. The Cockenzie House-based business is working in conjunction with East Lothian Works to take on placements of pupils from local schools and help them [...]
East Lothian Council has launched a revised winter edition of its Cost of Living leaflet to help local residents find the financial advice and support they need, including information about the new East Lothian Energy Fund. The leaflet signposts people to the full range of Council resources, as well as those available from other agencies, [...]
Martin Whitfield MSP has joined parliamentary colleagues in backing UNISON's recognition of 2022 as the Year of Disabled Workers. The trade union has been using 2022 to promote disability in the workplace by highlighting the experiences of its disabled members as well as the value and insight that they bring to the union and workplace. [...]
Smart Energy GB have teamed up with Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Scotland and Carers Scotland to launch two separate campaigns to help people living in vulnerable circumstances and those that care for them with their energy bills this winter. To help those living with sight loss, the consumer engagement body supporting the [...]
Martin Whitfield MSP is helping promote the new #ThinkWINTER campaign, which is designed to inform those heading out to Scotland's hills and mountains about the dangers and challenges of winter climbing. The campaign is led by Mountaineering Scotland in partnership with numerous esteemed organisations, including Scottish Mountain Rescue, Mountain Training Scotland, Glenmore Lodge, Scottish Avalanche [...]
