Wednesday May 15th 2019
Midlothian North and Musselburgh MSP Colin Beattie welcomed the news that the CashBack for Communities programme invested over £100,000 in local projects in Midlothian last year.
The Cashback for Communities scheme reinvests criminal assets into community projects which support young people into positive destinations, diverting some away from potentially criminal or anti-social behaviour. Projects that have benefited include Celtic FC Foundation, the National Autistic Society and Impact Arts, which all provide opportunities to raise the attainment, ambition and aspirations of young people from areas of deprivation.
Figures released today show that Midlothian benefited from 119,405 of funding in 2017-18. Since the launch of the scheme in 2008, projects Midlothian have received a total of £969,590.
Mr Beattie commented:
‘This is a tremendous initiative that ensures criminals do not benefit from the proceeds of their crimes.
‘Every young person in this country should have an equal chance to make the most of their lives regardless of background. Promoting projects that will give our young people new skills, while displaying that crime does not pay, allows for positive life choices to be accentuated.
‘I would encourage any local group who thinks they can benefit from Cashback for Communities funding to apply as soon as possible.’
The CashBack for Communities programme is Scottish Government Programme which takes funds recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and invests them into community programmes, facilities and activities largely, but not exclusively, for young people at risk of turning to crime and anti-social behaviour as a way of life.
Phase 5 of the CashBack for Communities programme will be open for applications from 12 noon on 15 May, running until 28 June. Find more details on the main Cashback for Communities website at https://cashbackforcommunities.org/.
Tweet Share on Facebook
