Local Labour representatives have welcomed a decision by Labour-led East Lothian Council to provide funding to local charity DadsWork. The Council has announced that it will provide funds to help keep the organisation running and also discuss a Service Level Agreement and help them identify other sources of funding and support.

Labour Leader of the Council, Cllr Willie Innes said:

“We have worked positively with DadsWork to come up with this funding package which will enable it to continue its important work in East Lothian. This was the right thing to do and I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to deliver the financial assistance the group needs to keep supporting local fathers.

“However, it is a great shame that local SNP politicians sought to make political mileage out of this problem rather than do anything practical to assist. When Cllr Currie learned about the situation facing DadsWork his immediate response was not to try and help, but rather to try and turn it into a political football. We will continue to work with the group to do all we can to support it in the future.”

Fiona O’Donnell MP said:

“DadsWork is an important local charity that has been making a real difference locally. I have been pleased in the past to support work and so was concerned to hear about the funding problems the organisation was facing. I know from personal experience of working with charities in East Lothian that when the Lottery funding runs out and while local government budgets are being squeezed, it can be hard work securing funding to keep a project going.

“So I welcome the council’s decision to step in to fund the group and commend the Labour led team on the council for its response. It is unfortunate that Opposition SNP councillors chose to engage in scaremongering and used DadsWork’s problems simply as an opportunity for political point-scoring.”

Iain Gray MSP said:

“I am well aware of the great work that DadsWork has been doing with local fathers over the years, and have met with them at Holyrood in the past. I welcome the funding package the Council has put together to save the organisation and allow it to continue its work.

“Everyone knows that local authority funding is tighter than it has ever been. However, the work that Willie and his Labour colleagues have done to find the funds to support DadsWork shows the importance they place on supporting services for the most vulnerable groups. I hope that by working in partnership with the council, DadsWork will now be able to continue its valuable work.”