Latest News –  Martin Whitfield MSP

Small Business Saturday is back and Martin Whitfield MSP is encouraging local businesses and communities to get involved in the leading campaign promoting the nation's small businesses. For the 13th consecutive year, the biggest day for small businesses will happen across the land on the first Saturday of December - 6th December 2025. This year the theme is Nation's Favourite Businesses. The message runs throughout the campaign and on all the posters, posts, jackets and even the campaign's tour van! Martin Whitfield MSP said:  "I have supported Small Business Saturday every year since I was first elected and am pleased [...]

The Countryside Alliance Awards 2026 are now open for nominations – and Martin Whitfield MSP is urging people to get involved and put forward the businesses, pubs and community heroes who make East Lothian special. Affectionately known as the “Rural Oscars”, these annual awards celebrate the very best of rural life: from village shops and family butchers to community pubs, farm shops and innovative rural enterprises. Nominated by the public, the awards give recognition to the people and businesses who go above and beyond for their communities and keep the countryside thriving. Nominations are open until Friday 12 December. Regional [...]

The Station Director at Torness Power Station was among the guests at an EDF Energy drop-in session on its nuclear facilities hosted by Martin Whitfield MSP at the Scottish Parliament. EDF owns and operates Torness, which is due to generate energy until 2030, and Hunterston B on the west coast, which is currently undergoing decommissioning, having generated electricity for 46 years until 2022. The event offered MSPs the opportunity to chat to Paul Forrest, Station Director of Torness, and Andy Dalling, Station Director of Hunterston B, along with Fiona McCall, Senior External Affairs Manager for EDF. The EDF representatives provided information [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP has raised the findings of a new report by the Accounts Commission and the Auditor General on improving care experience in Scotland with the First Minister. The report makes clear that there has been a lack of leadership and commitment to implementation of The Promise which has laid bare the Scottish Government's failure to deliver on its promises to young people in Scotland’s care system. Mr Whitfield challenged John Swinney over the findings of the report and asked what he will do now to deliver The Promise. Martin Whitfield MSP said: "The Scottish Government has a responsibility [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP joined a panel discussion with GTC Scotland, the independent regulator for teachers, to celebrate 60 years of trusted teaching in Scotland. Mr Whitfield, who was a teacher prior to his election and is a former Council Member of GTC Scotland, met with the regulator at its evening reception in Holyrood to discuss the future of teaching and how to create the conditions for teaching standards to be at the heart of education. The reception was held in the Scottish Parliament to give politicians a chance to talk to GTC Scotland about their work to enhance trust in [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP is helping promote this year's Migraine Awareness Week, which is taking place from 22 to 28 September. Migraine is a serious neurological condition which can cause debilitating pain, visual disturbances and nausea, and affects one in seven people in the UK. This week charities and campaigners are highlighting how misunderstandings about migraine can have devastating implications for the careers and personal lives of those with the condition. The Migraine Trust has published new research which shows that 60% of people would be concerned about hiring a qualified candidate with migraine, while 58% of those with the condition [...]