Latest News –  Martin Whitfield MSP

Martin Whitfield MSP and Douglas Alexander MP have visited the Bangley Quarry Biogas site near Haddington. During the visit, the owners of the project, GFD, showcased the innovative technologies they are using to convert waste into renewable gas. They highlighted the environmental benefits, job creation, and economic advantages the project brings to the local area. The GFD team emphasised their commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, sharing their vision for the future of renewable energy in the region. Speaking after the visit, Marc McElhinney, the Managing Director of GFD, said: "We were delighted to have both Martin and Douglas [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP and Douglas Alexander MP have visited the John Gray Centre in Haddington to celebrate Libraries Week 2025 and highlight the vital role libraries play in supporting local people, skills, and community life. The visit, part of the national Libraries Change Lives campaign coordinated by CILIP – the UK’s library and information association – showcased how libraries are helping to boost economic growth, tackle digital exclusion, improve literacy, and support wellbeing in communities across the UK. During the visit, the MSP and MP met with East Lothian Council’s Libraries & Museums Manager, Caroline Messer, as well as library [...]

Nominations have now opened for the prestigious national 2025 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration following a special online launch event. The SURF Awards are delivered each year by SURF, a regeneration forum with over 300 cross-sector member organisations across Scotland, in partnership with the Scottish Government. The purpose is to highlight, celebrate and share the achievements of initiatives that address physical, social and economic challenges in communities across Scotland. This year’s five thematic categories include; Removing Barriers to Employability, Creative Regeneration sponsored by Creative Scotland, Community Led Regeneration sponsored jointly by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise, Improving Scotland’s [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP has hosted a reception at the Scottish Parliament to help celebrate 250 years since the establishment of the world’s first building society. While the first building society was established in Birmingham in 1775, others followed in Scotland, including the Scottish Building Society, which started life in 1848 as the Edinburgh Property Investment Company. It is now the oldest remaining building society in the world. Organised in partnership with the Building Societies Association (BSA) and Capital Credit Union, the parliamentary reception brought key stakeholders from Scotland’s mutualised financial services sector together with a cross-party group of MSPs. The [...]

Following the review of its remaining Crown branches, Post Office Ltd has announced details of the new franchise partner arrangements for Haddington's Post Office Branch on Court Street. They have confirmed that the branch will soon be operated by an independent franchise retail partner, ZCO Ltd (ZCO), from the current premises, offering the same range of services, and with extended opening on Tuesday mornings. The change in the branch's operation are due to happen by September. Commenting on the announcement, Martin Whitfield MSP said: “The Post Office’s new plans for the operation of the Haddington branch appear to offer continuity [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP has joined parliamentary colleagues in welcoming representatives from Playlist for Life, the UK's leading music and dementia charity, at their exhibition at Holyrood this week. Established in 2013 by Sally Magnusson MBE, Playlist for Life raises awareness of how the power of personal and meaningful music can help people live well with dementia. In recognition of its impactful work across communities and the health and social care sector, Playlist for Life was named SCVO’s Charity of the Year in 2024. The charity's exhibition at the Scottish Parliament highlighted the transformative power of music for people living with [...]