Latest News –  Martin Whitfield MSP

Members of Longniddry Christian Aid Committee have welcomed Martin Whitfield MSP and Douglas Alexander MP to a coffee morning held at Longniddry Parish Church. The group’s ‘Breaking Bread’ event was part of a national initiative by Christian Aid which involves local and regional groups hosting events at which their MP can meet the local Christian Aid team. It is also an opportunity for politicians to meet other residents and constituents in a welcoming environment to discuss issues they are concerned about. The main topic of this meeting was global debt crisis, which traps millions of people in poverty. As set [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP and Douglas Alexander MP have attended the first of two consultative workshops being run by the 360 Centre Steering Group at Port Seton Centre. The interactive public workshops are designed to allow members of the public to view the 360 Centre proposals for creating Climate Change centre for the arts, science, the natural environment, tourism and education, on the site of the former Cockenzie Power Station. Mr Whitfield and Mr Alexander met with some of the group’s volunteers, discussed some of their ideas and explored the interactive models of the proposed 360 Centre. Martin Whitfield MSP said:  [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP and Douglas Alexander MP have visited local mental health service The Haven, at its new location in Haddington. Run by the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, the pilot wellbeing and resilience service came about following growing evidence of a mental health crisis among young people led to the charity launching its No Time to Wait campaign. The Haven is designed to complement CAMHS and to help prevent problems escalating to the point where professional intervention is needed. The pressure on CAMHS, and its need to tackle the most serious mental health concerns first, means that children with those [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP has attended a groundbreaking event marking the start of construction on a subsea electricity superhighway which will help expand the grid for the future. As well as supporting long-term local development for regional communities playing host to the critical electricity infrastructure. Eastern Green Link 1, a £2.5bn joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission, will transport green electricity for two million homes along 196km of predominantly undersea cable linking the south-east of Scotland with the north-east of England. The project was given the green light by Ofgem last year and onshore works are [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP has taken his "transformative" proposed Member’s Bill, which would ensure every council provides youth work services, to the Scottish Borders. The Youth Work Scotland Bill seeks to establish a robust legal framework ensuring that every young person, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to consistent and high-quality youth work opportunities. Martin Whitfield brought his Bill to the Scottish Borders by visiting the youth organisation YouthBorders in Newton St Boswells. YouthBorders is a network of 40+ voluntary youth organisations in the Scottish Borders, supporting nearly 5,000 young people aged 8–25. It provides networking, training, and resources [...]

Nominations are now open for the Young Scot Awards 2025 and Martin Whitfield MSP is encouraging groups and individuals in East Lothian to nominate a young person who they believe deserves to be recognised this year. The Young Scot Awards are Scotland’s biggest celebration of young people aged 11-26 that shine a light on those who drive positive change, achieve remarkable accomplishments, and support their communities. The winners will be unveiled in June, during an energy-packed event hosted by Capital FM DJ Katy J, where they will join a prestigious list of past recipients including former footballer turned elite gamer [...]