Latest News – Martin Whitfield MSP
Longniddry pupils quiz Martin
Pupils at Longniddry Primary School have had an opportunity to quiz one of their local MSPs at the start of their Scottish Parliament topic. Martin Whitfield joined the P7 class to speak about his role as one of the South Scotland MSPs covering East Lothian and answer their questions about parliament and the work of MSPs. The pupils asked Mr Whitfield questions on a wide variety of topics and discussed some of the ways people can influence parliamentary decisions, including the public petitions process. Speaking after his visit, Martin Whitfield MSP said: “It was wonderful to be invited to visit [...]
Backing ‘Our kids won’t wait’ campaign
Martin Whitfield MSP has lent his support to families of disabled children across Scotland as they tell the Scottish Government “Our kids won’t wait” and demand fairer funding. Gathering outside the Scottish Parliament, families put pressure on the First Minister to reconsider a decision to hold a funding decision at 2016 levels, which Scottish charity The Yard claims has cost them £125 per family. The charity has three centres, in Edinburgh, Dundee and Fife, and provides a wide range of services including family support, respite, school and play services to over 2,300 children with disabilities. Essential funding from the Scottish [...]
Showing Racism the Red Card
Martin Whitfield MSP has joined colleagues in promoting Wear Red Day with the Show Racism the Red Card campaign. The MSPs were joined by the campaign's manager Billy Singh, actor, comedian, and writer Sanjeev Singh Kohli and journalist and football pundit Peter Martin. Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) is the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity. It utilises the high-profile status of football and football players to help tackle racism in society. More recently, it has also expanded its work into other sports. The majority of the campaign’s work involves the delivery of educational workshops to young people and adults. These [...]
Hosting credit union leaders
A group of credit union leaders from around the UK and beyond have been welcomed to the Scottish Parliament by Martin Whitfield MSP. The South Scotland MSP hosted a special graduation ceremony event for the Credit Union Foundation’s Credit Union Development Education Europe programme, which included members from credit unions in several countries. The day was part of a week of activities for the programme, which has been running since 2004. It aims to promote the importance of the credit union movement, enhance leadership and business skills and facilitate collaboration and networking across the credit union sector. Speaking after the [...]
Beautiful Scotland Awards motion
The success of local groups at this year’s Beautiful Scotland Awards has been celebrated in the Scottish Parliament. Martin Whitfield MSP has tabled a parliamentary motion congratulating all of the South Scotland groups that won awards or certificates this year. The motion also acknowledges East Lothian Council, which was another of those recognised. Martin Whitfield MSP said: “Local bloom groups have excelled again at this year’s Beautiful Scotland Awards, winning various awards and certificates. I’m pleased to help celebrate their outstanding success with this parliamentary motion. "I also congratulate all of the volunteers involved in local groups on this recognition [...]
Scotland’s Climate Week
Scotland's Climate Week (25 September-1 October) gets underway today. The annual event encourages individuals, communities and businesses to come together to show support for tackling the climate emergency. It is an opportunity for the whole country to unite in showing support for this aim and action for achieving net-zero by 2045. It is also a time for communities, councils, local groups and individuals to share their examples of successful action on climate change in their local areas. There are a range of resources to help businesses and groups get involved, including a Climate Week toolkit. This has everything needed to [...]