Latest News –Â Martin Whitfield MSP
FM challenged on housing emergency
Martin Whitfield MSP has highlighted in parliament the number of households, including children, living in temporary accommodation in East Lothian and asked the First Minister if it meets legislation on the rights of children. Mr Whitfield raised the issue during First Minister’s Questions, pointing out that 354 households are in temporary accommodation in East Lothian, including 50 children. He asked Mr Swinney if such conditions meet the requirements of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child which was incorporated into Scots law earlier this year. In reply, Mr Swinney talked about working with councils to do more [...]
Parliamentarians visit historic Belhaven Brewery
Martin Whitfield MSP and Douglas Alexander MP have visited the historic Belhaven Brewery to meet with management and tour the site to see some of the investment that has been made over recent years. Mr Whitfield has visited the brewery previously, and also helped celebrate its 300th anniversary in 2019 by tabling an Early Day Motion in parliament at the time. It was Mr Alexander’s first visit to Belhaven, Scotland’s oldest working brewery, since his election as the county’s MP in July. Martin Whitfield MSP said: “Belhaven Brewery is an iconic local business, brand and visitor attraction and I was pleased [...]
Historic pension injustice reversed for former miners
Martin Whitfield MSP and Douglas Alexander MP have welcomed the UK Labour Budget’s reversal of the historic injustice affecting hundreds of former coalminers in East Lothian. Across the UK, more than 100,000 former mineworkers will receive £1.5 billion of money that was kept from their pensions – boosting their pensions by nearly a third or £29 a week for each member. When the Conservative Government privatised British Coal in 1994, it struck a deal that entitled it to half the surplus cash from the pension scheme in return for a guarantee that miners’ pensions would rise in line with inflation. [...]
Martin praises charity during anniversary debate
Martin Whitfield MSP has lauded the vital work that One Parent Families Scotland does each year providing advice, support and advocacy for families throughout Scotland. Speaking during a member's debate on the charity's 80th anniversary, Mr Whitfield described it as having been 'a beacon of hope and support for countless single-parent families across our nation'. For eight decades, the organisation has dedicated itself to ensuring that single parents and their children have the resources, the guidance and the advocacy that they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Mr Whitfield went on to state his belief that what makes One [...]
Martin attends shipping out of copper stills
Whisky stills made in the traditional manner at McMillan Coppersmiths in Prestonpans will form the central part of a modern distillery under construction at Inverkip on the west coast. The two copper stills – a wash still and a spirit still – were loaded this morning ready for the 85 mile journey west to Ardgowan Distillery, under the watchful eyes of the craftsmen and women who made them. The firm employs 35 people in the East Lothian town and is now part of the Briggs Group. Martin Whitfield MSP, who attended the shipping out, said: “This company is well known [...]
Supporting this year’s Poppy Appeal
The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Poppyscotland’s largest fundraising event – raising over £2 million every year – and Scotland’s biggest annual street collection. This week Poppyscotland held a reception in the Garden Lobby of parliament to mark the launch of this year's appeal and to recognise its position as the only officially recognised charity of the Scottish Parliament and engage with Members, Poppyscotland volunteers and other stakeholders about the charity’s vital work supporting our Armed Forces community. Speaking after the reception, Martin Whitfield MSP said: "It was great to join parliamentary colleagues, Poppyscotland volunteers and other stakeholders at this reception [...]