Latest News –  Martin Whitfield MSP

East Lothian Council's decision to allocate £5 million in its capital plans for the repair and refurbishment of the Loch Centre in Tranent has been welcomed by Martin Whitfield MSP. The funds allocated will enable the council to fix the problem with the centre's swimming pool, which has been closed since January 2023, as well as refurbish the centre to ensure it is fit for purpose. Mr Whitfield has welcomed the decision, which comes against a backdrop of financial hardship for all councils, including East Lothian. Commenting, Martin Whitfield MSP said:  "While difficult choices undoubtedly had to be made in [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP has welcomed the launch of new campaign on debt advice and support from the Citizens Advice Network. The ‘Stressed About Debt?’ campaign was launched today with figures published suggesting that over 660,000 people have seen their mental health and wellbeing impacted by debt. The campaign aims to re-assure people that debt is nothing to be ashamed of, and that free, expert help is available to them from the Citizens Advice network. Welcoming the campaign, Martin Whitfield MSP said:  "There is growing evidence that the cost-of-living crisis is forcing more households than ever deeper in to debt. "Living [...]

Monday 19 to Sunday 25 February is Victims’ Awareness Week, with this year’s theme being victims’ rights. When someone is affected by crime, it can have a massive impact on their life, affecting them emotionally, mentally, physically, financially and practically. It can be very traumatic, so having the right information at the right time is critical. Victim Support Scotland is the leading charity dedicated to helping people affected by crime across Scotland. It supports victims of crime, witnesses and their family members regardless of when the crime took place or whether it has been reported to the police. It offers [...]

Next week (19-25 February) is Cancer Prevention Action Week and this year's theme is physical activity. Organised by the World Cancer Research Fund UK (WCRFUK), the week aims to raise awareness that being active has many health benefits including reducing the risk of some cancers, including breast, colon and endometrial cancer, and encourage people to be more active in their daily lives through the charity's #MakeYourMove campaign. Most people in the UK do not currently meet the UK Joint Chief Medical Officers’ national recommendations on physical activity, which is at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes [...]

The Scottish Government’s proposed cut to Scotland’s tree-planting budget, which risks resulting in millions of saplings being destroyed, has been raised with Martin Whitfield MSP during a visit to local business Alba Trees Ltd. As part of its climate change commitments, the Scottish Government is meant to be increasing tree-planting to 18,000 hectares annually from this year. Its overarching target is to increase tree cover in Scotland from 19 per cent of the land mass to 25 per cent. However, it was announced in the December budget that next year’s funding is being cut by 41 per cent, from £77.2m [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP has visited the Cheese Lady shop in Haddington to congratulate owner Svetlana Kukharchuk on being named Scottish Business Woman of the Year at the National Business Women’s Awards 2023. The visit follows on from Mr Whitfield having tabled a motion at the Scottish Parliament at the time of Ms Kukharchuk’s award success in November last year. As well as the individual achievement at the prestigious UK-wide awards, the Cheese Lady, which sells farmhouse and artisan cheeses, was also named the regional winner for Scotland at the Farm Shop and Deli Retailer Awards in 2022. Commenting after his [...]