News - Douglas Alexander MP for Lothian East constituency

Comment on the passing of Pope Francis

Commenting on the news of the passing of Pope Francis, Douglas Alexander MP said: “I was deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. “He was an inspirational and courageous leader whose tireless work to promote a fairer and more peaceful world has left…

Backing Independent Hospitality Week

Douglas Alexander MP and Martin Whitfield MSP are backing a campaign to support and promote local independent hospitality businesses. Independent Hospitality Week (IHW), which will take place from 5th-11th May, is a nationwide campaign designed to champion independent and family run bars, cafes, restaurants, pubs, street food vendors, and event traders…

Income boost for thousands of local pensioners

Around 19,500 pensioners in the Lothian East constituency are set to receive a pay boost of up to £470 from today (Sunday 6 April). This comes after the government confirmed a 4.1% increase in the state pension for 2025/26. Douglas Alexander MP has welcomed the news, highlighting how the government’s…

Myanmar earthquake appeal launched

Following the powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that has devastated huge areas of Myanmar, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) charities have today launched an emergency appeal to help the survivors. Myanmar was already facing a severe humanitarian crisis with a third of the population in need of humanitarian aid. Now the…

Local workers benefit from wage rate rises

Workers across Scotland, including around 2,500 in East Lothian, have received a pay rise as the new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates take effect. Action from the UK Labour Government means full-time workers on the National Living Wage will see a real-terms pay increase of £1,400 per…

Douglas welcomes local success at prestigious food and drink awards

Douglas Alexander MP has welcomed the success of East Lothian food and drink businesses at a prestigious awards ceremony. The ScotHot Innovation Awards in Glasgow celebrate the best of Scotland’s food, drink, hospitality, retail and tourism. Brose Oats, Chocolate Tree, Belhaven Smokehouse and Buck & Birch were all among this year’s winners. Congratulating…

Free digital advertising advice opportunity for local SMEs

Douglas Alexander MP is helping promote an opportunity for local SMEs to benefit from free, expert advice on using digital advertising to boost their business. IAB UK, the trade body for digital advertising, is looking for Digital Advertising Champions from across the UK to highlight the success stories of SMEs…

Douglas visits Pennypit Outdoor Pursuits Group

Douglas Alexander MP has joined Martin Whitfield MSP on a visit to the Pennypit Outdoor Pursuits (POPS) Group near Tyninghame. A partnership between the Pennypit Trust, the Bridge Centre Motorcycle Project and Edinburgh College, POPS supports pupils from Preston Lodge High School to stay in school, help move them into…

80th Anniversary VE & VJ Day celebration plans welcomed

Douglas Alexander MP has welcomed Government plans for a series of events and celebrations to be held across the country, to mark the 80th Anniversary of both VE (Victory in Europe) day on 8th May 1945 and VJ Day (Victory Over Japan) on 15th August 1945. The sacrifices that were…

National Lottery Open Week 2025

Douglas Alexander MP is encouraging constituents to participate in National Lottery Open Week 2025, an annual celebration of National Lottery funding, which takes place from Saturday 15 to Sunday 23 March 2025. During the week National Lottery players can access exclusive offers at hundreds of funded venues by presenting any…

Parliamentarians pay tribute to work of local brain injury charity

Douglas Alexander MP and Martin Whitfield MSP have met with members of the Headway East Lothian charity and paid tribute to its work supporting people with Acquired Brain Injuries. Headway East Lothian celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, but Mr Alexander and Mr Whitfield were unable to join them for…

Local social workers recognised for World Social Work Day

Ahead of World Social Work Day on Tuesday 18th March, Douglas Alexander MP and Martin Whitfield MSP have welcomed the return of the Amazing Social Workers campaign and paid tribute to the work undertaken by social workers in East Lothian and across Scotland. The British Association of Social Workers (BASW…

Douglas joins Brunton roundtable discussion

Douglas Alexander MP has joined a cross-party group of colleagues at a roundtable discussion on the future of the Brunton in Musselburgh. Hosted by Lothians MSP Sarah Boyack at North Esk Church, the event was attended by Brunton Theatre trust representatives, councillors, MSPs and MPs. The Brunton Hall and Theatre…

Douglas comments on local bus changes

Commenting on the changes that have been announced to Lothian Buses and East Coast Buses services in the Lothian East constituency, Douglas Alexander MP said: “Several constituents and community groups have contacted me about the alterations to East Lothian’s bus services, which will clearly be damaging for people in various…

Visiting local care charity

Douglas Alexander MP and Martin Whitfield MSP have visited local care provider ELCAP for an update on its work and latest developments. ELCAP has been providing care and support for individuals who are affected by learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health problems for 36 years. It operates in over…

Backing local steel fabricator’s push for a clean energy future

Douglas Alexander MP has visited Tranent based HadFab, one of the UK’s leading structural engineering and metal fabrication companies in delivering sustainable infrastructure solutions, to discuss key issues affecting the industry and opportunities for growth. The visit to HadFab’s facilities saw Mr Alexander engage in discussions with HadFab’s leadership team…

Latest Torness production milestone welcomed

Commenting on the announcement that Torness Power station has reached the milestone of 300TWh (Terawatt hours) of electricity generation, Douglas Alexander MP said: “This is another significant generation milestone for Torness and emphasises the scale of the vital contribution it continues to make to our clean energy needs. “I pay…

Visiting local artisanal premium drink producer

Douglas Alexander MP has visited unique local artisanal spirit and liqueur producer Buck & Birch in Macmerry to learn more about the business’ background and future plans. Buck & Birch started out in 2012 as a pop-up dining experience, with ingredients foraged and grown in the their own backyard. However,…

Hosting ‘Made in Scotland’ Roadshow

Businesses behind Scotland’s most emblematic exports have been able to grow thanks to £42 million in UK Export Finance (UKEF) deals brokered so far since the summer. UKEF is renewing a £12 million support package delivered with Virgin Money for First Tech subsidiary First Subsea, allowing it to continue its…

Co-operative Party’s Community Britain campaign launched

The launch of a new Co-operative Party campaign celebrating the positive role of communities has been welcomed by Douglas Alexander MP. Community Britain highlights the role communities are already playing in solving our nation’s most pressing challenges and reclaims their role as a serious political and economic force – not just…

Extra energy bill support for thousands of families

Almost three million more households, including 220,000 more in Scotland, will get support to pay their energy bills next winter, as the UK Government consults on proposals to offer more support to consumers across the country. Due to global gas price spikes this winter and the continued impact of Russia’s…

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