Douglas welcomes new national funding boost to protect local war memorials

11 Nov 2025

Douglas Alexander MP has welcomed the news that the Government will be investing an additional £2 million to protect and maintain war memorials across the country – ensuring that the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces are never forgotten. War memorials are a vital part of our local and…

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Statement on Gaza meeting

10 Nov 2025

Douglas Alexander MP has thanked constituents who participated in last Friday’s online public meeting on the latest developments in Gaza and the West Bank. More than 50 constituents joined the online discussion, which began with a statement read out by a representative of East Lothian Friends of Palestine. During the…

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Douglas visits John Bellany Day Centre

07 Nov 2025

On Friday 7 November, Douglas Alexander MP visited the John Bellany Day Centre in Port Seton to meet with staff, committee members and service users. While enjoying their freshly prepared lunch of fish, chips, and peas, Mr Alexander met with day centre attendees chatting about the activities they like to…

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Government launches Defence Housing Strategy

03 Nov 2025

The Labour Government has today launched the new Defence Housing Strategy – the biggest renewal of Armed Forces family housing in more than half a century. This is a £9bn plan to end the Tory scandal of unfit forces housing and get Britain building on surplus Defence land – delivering…

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Douglas Alexander MP visits North Berwick pub following six-year closure and £850,000 transformation

31 Oct 2025

A historic North Berwick pub that re-opened in September after a six-year closure received a visit from Douglas Alexandar, MP for Lothian East and Secretary of State Scotland last week. He saw first-hand what the £850,000 transformation by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and Scottish hospitality operators, The Discovery Group has created.…

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Commitment to new nuclear with Scottish Labour Government welcomed

27 Oct 2025

Douglas Alexander MP and Martin Whitfield MSP have welcomed the commitment by Ed Miliband to open immediate discussions on new nuclear projects in Scotland if a Scottish Labour Government is elected on May 7 next year. If Labour wins the election, the Energy and Net Zero Secretary has committed to…

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Gaza online meeting for constituents

24 Oct 2025

Following a request from constituents, Douglas Alexander MP is holding an online meeting to facilitate discussion and questions on the conflict in Gaza and the recent ceasefire and peace plan proposals. The meeting will take place on Friday 7th November from 6pm-7pm via Teams. Douglas will ensure that it is…

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Constituents urged to use new Benefits Calculator

23 Oct 2025

Douglas Alexander is urging constituents to use a new online tool to help check if they are entitled to financial support. Offered by the Money and Pensions Service, the MoneyHelper Benefits Calculator is free, quick, and confidential. It also considers eligibility for Scottish benefits. The calculator asks just six quick…

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Douglas Alexander hails £2.1 billion Defence Investment as “engine for growth” in Scotland

23 Oct 2025

Douglas Alexander MP says today that Defence investment can be an “engine for growth” in Scotland as figures show the Labour government’s defence investment in Scotland hit £2.1 billion in the last year. It comes as the Labour Government publishes a new ‘UK Defence Footprint’ publication, showing the government’s defence…

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Nominations now open for MP’s Choice: Food and Drink Manufacturer Awards

22 Oct 2025

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has launched the inaugural MP’s Choice: Food and Drink Manufacturer of the Year Award, with Members of Parliament calling for nominations of outstanding small and medium-sized (SME) food and drink manufacturers in their constituencies. Nominations are now open. The award celebrates the vital role…

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40,000 jobs to be created in Scotland with Clean Energy plan

20 Oct 2025

A generation of young people in Scotland will benefit from new clean energy jobs under plans announced today by Labour. Following record investment by the Labour Government, the clean energy economy is booming. Scottish projects, such as the Port of Cromarty Firth and Acorn Carbon Capture and Storage Cluster, are…

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Constituents urged to seek support from Arthritis UK

15 Oct 2025

Douglas Alexander MP is calling on constituents living with arthritis to seek support from Arthritis UK. Roughly one-in-six people across the UK suffer from arthritis, and Arthritis UK, a leading charity, is rebranding from Versus Arthritis to better support people living with the condition. They will continue to provide free…

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Nominations open for Countryside Alliance Awards 2026

14 Oct 2025

The Countryside Alliance Awards 2026 are now open for nominations – and Douglas Alexander is calling on local 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…

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Tesco’s Winter Food Collection taking place this November in East Lothian

13 Oct 2025

Douglas Alexander MP is encouraging constituents to consider volunteering or donating for the Winter Food Collection, run by Tesco, The Trussel Trust, and FareShare. The program will take place across East Lothian between Thursday 27th and Saturday 29th November 2025, and will help provide essentials, like food and toiletries, to…

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Support offered as telephone network upgrades to digital

09 Oct 2025

BT is providing advice about the upgrade to the UK’s telephone network. This is a once-in-a-generation, industry-wide upgrade to future-proof the UK’s landlines. What’s Happening? The analogue network that most home phones work on today is no longer fit for purpose and can’t keep up with the demands of modern…

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Douglas joins trade mission to India

08 Oct 2025

Douglas Alexander MP has joined a Prime Minister-led trade mission to India to help drive home the benefits of the landmark UK – India trade deal for Scottish businesses. The deal is set to grow the Scottish economy by £190 million a year. Scotch whisky is a big winner in…

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Local Scottish Gas customers struggling with energy debt urged to apply for support

07 Oct 2025

Douglas Alexander MP is encouraging constituents who are Scottish Gas customers and struggling with energy bill debt to apply to the company’s Energy Support Fund. Scottish Gas customers in Lothian East could be eligible to support of up to £2,000 with their energy bills this winter as the company re-opens…

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Constituents urged to act now if they have a RTS meter

20 Sep 2025

Smart Energy GB are warning that older electricity meters that use the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) signal are being phased out across Great Britain. It is highlighting the importance of residents who have an RTS meter acting now to avoid the risk of disruption to their heating or hot water…

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Businesses across Scotland set to benefit from major US investment

18 Sep 2025

Businesses across Scotland are set to benefit from major new investments announced during the US President’s State Visit to the UK, including a £1.5 billion commitment from CoreWeave and significant expansion plans from BlackRock and Amentum. These investments will support jobs, innovation, and long-term growth in Scotland and across the…

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SNP block means East Lothian is missing out on new nuclear investment and jobs

15 Sep 2025

A new deal to build up to 12 advanced modular nuclear reactors in Hartlepool, the first in the UK, again highlights how the SNP Government’s block on new nuclear means East Lothian is missing out on jobs and investment, say local Labour representatives. The deal, between Centrica and US firm…

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Meeting with Greek Ambassador and Metlen representatives

15 Sep 2025

Douglas Alexander MP and Martin Whitfield MSP have met with the Greek Ambassador to the UK and representatives of Metlen Energy & Metals, an industrial and energy company which is currently working on the Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) project which entered the FTSE 100 this week. The meeting was…

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