Commenting on the Scottish Childminding Association Report, Martin Whitfield MSP said: “This hard hitting report lays bare the vast issues that remain within Early Learning and Childcare. “We have been arguing for years for greater flexibility, increased staffing and parental choice. “We urgently need action on ‘Funding Follows the Child’, so that some of these [...]
Following the focus at COP26 on transport issues and climate change, Martin Whitfield MSP has backed calls from anti-poverty campaigners for free bus travel to be extended to young people and those on low incomes. The Poverty Alliance’s Everyone Aboard campaign aims to extend free bus travel to those with a Universal Credit entitlement and [...]
Martin Whitfield MSP has pledged his support for a proposed members’ bill that aims to secure the statutory right to a transition plan from school to adulthood for every disabled child in Scotland. Introduced by his colleague Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP, the Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill would ensure that all [...]
To mark Scottish Careers Week, Martin Whitfield MSP has been flying the flag for careers in the built environment after visiting one of Scotland’s largest mixed-use developments. Mr Whitfield visited Blindwells, the East Lothian development where 1,600 new homes are being created together with infrastructure comprising of education and healthcare services, landscaped open spaces as [...]
Galashiels based Tweedbank Early Learners has become accredited as a Living Wage Employer. Their Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at Tweedbank Early Learners receive a minimum hourly wage of £9.90 per hour. Tweedbank’s Living Wage accreditation strengthens the local movement of over 40 accredited Living Wage employers in Scottish Borders and 17 in [...]
Martin Whitfield MSP has helped to mark this year’s Living Wage Week (15-21 November) by visiting local family run business and accredited Living Wage employer George Anderson and Sons at its distribution centre in Macmerry. The South Scotland MSP, who became an accredited Living Wage employer himself last month, met with Karen Robertson to discuss [...]
Speaking during a Holyrood debate marking 100 years of the Poppy in the UK, Martin Whitfield MSP paid tribute to Poppyscotland, the veterans at Lady Haig Poppy Factory and the day to day welfare support that the charity offers Scotland’s Armed Forces community. The member’s debate gave MSPs the opportunity to reflect on this important [...]
This week’s Courier is published on Remembrance Day, when our thoughts turn again to the end of the First World War and to all those who died during it and subsequent conflicts since 1918. Last month I attended the Scottish Parliament launch reception for this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal, which also recognised the amazing work [...]
Commenting on Harlawhill Day Care Centre’s success at the Scottish Health Awards and his Holyrood motion congratulating them, Martin Whitfield MSP said: “Fiona and her team have always done their utmost for their service users, including through the incredibly difficult last 18 months. Even when the centre was not able to open they continued to [...]
Martin Whitfield MSP was joined by Jackie Baillie MSP at yesterday's campaign rally in North Berwick in support of the reinstatement of services at the Edington Cottage Hospital. They were among the crowd of several hundred at the rally organised by the Hands Around The Edington campaign to mark eight weeks since staff and services [...]
