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Fiona Thanks Christmas Royal Mail Posties Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has visited Royal Mail’s delivery office in Linlithgow to pass on Christmas wishes and thanks to the postmen and women at their busiest time of year. Fiona was shown round the offices and was introduced to the local postal workers who are working hard sorting and delivering cards and parcels in the West Lothian area in the run-up to Christmas. Fiona commented: “The dedicated and hard-working Royal Mail postmen and women at our local delivery offices in West Lothian do such an important job at this time of year and it is always great to meet them first-hand to see just how much effort they put into delivering for people at this time of year. “I’d like to thank…

Hyslop Welcomes Minimum Wage Figures for West Lothian Linlithgow Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that 95% of workers in the Linlithgow (and Falkirk East) Constituency earn above the national minimum wage. The figures also show that Scottish people are the least likely to be on minimum wage jobs in the UK. New UK Government analysis, taken from the Annual Survey of Hours & Earnings 2018, shows that 94% of Scots workers earn above the National Minimum or National Living Wage - while 7% of workers in England, and 11% in Northern Ireland, remain on the obligatory pay. Although the powers to set the minimum wage remain reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government has taken steps to ensure that over 1000 employers now pay a Real Living Wage…

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Use:  Hyslop Welcomes Outright Rejection of Edinburgh Airspace Proposals Local constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the decision made by the UK Secretary of State for Transport not to ‘call in’ Edinburgh Airport’s Airspace Change Proposals as they did not meet the appropriate criteria. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have now informed Edinburgh Airport that they have decided to formally reject the Airport’s Airspace Change proposals. Fiona commented, “Having worked on this issue representing my constituents for some years now, I very much welcome the UK Transport Secretary’s decision  not to ‘call in’ Edinburgh Airport’s Airspace Change Proposals and that the CAA has now formally rejected the Airport’s plans set out. I know that this will be a relief to local residents. “The consultation survey Edinburgh…

Fiona Hyslop Encourages Shopping Local Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop is promoting Small Business Saturday in West Lothian by calling on her constituents to shop local. Small Business Saturday is the annual campaign that encourages customers to use their local cafes and shops and support the small businesses in their town. This year Small Business Saturday falls on December 1st. Fiona said; “This year, as in previous years, there has been much hype around so-called Black Friday sales and big discounts from online retailers, often to the detriment of local shops. So it’s quite right that small businesses should be recognised and supported through this campaign. “Throughout the year I enjoy shopping in and supporting local businesses across the towns and villages in West Lothian and I hope…

Hyslop Congratulates Linlithgow’s Emma Chalmers on Ambassador Role Local Linlithgow MSP has congratulated Emma Chalmers, founder of Linlithgow based company Mary’s Meanders on becoming Visit Scotland’s Lothian and Borders regional Ambassador. Mary’s Meanders is an independent tour guide company specialising in fully customised escorted day tours around central Scotland and Ireland. The offer ancestral tours, tours based on Scottish Film, Outlander tours and on Mary Queen of Scots and are based in Linlithgow. Fiona said, “I was delighted to hear that Emma Chalmers had been chosen by Visit Scotland to be their ambassador for the Lothian and Border region. “I have met Emma many times as the local constituency MSP for Linlithgow and I am well aware of her passion and dedication for Scottish history and tourism. “We have such…

Hyslop Condemns Tory Benefit Caps Affecting 268 Households in West Lothian Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has criticised the heartless UK Government cuts that is driving child poverty and dependence on foodbanks in West Lothian. Hundreds of West Lothian families have seen their incomes cut by the Conservative Government benefit cap, new figures have revealed – with 169 out of the 268 households affected being single parent families. Fiona said, “It is devastating to see the impact Tory austerity is having on hundreds of families across West Lothian and I am pleased that Britain’s biggest foodbank charity has called on the UK Government to halt the roll-out of Universal Credit as foodbank use in Scotland is up by 15% on this time last year. “It is simply unacceptable…

Hyslop Backs Plans for Inclusive Education Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has given her backing to proposals that will deliver a more inclusive education system by improving the experiences of LGBTI pupils. Scotland’s Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary, John Swinney MSP, has confirmed that the Scottish Government will fully accept the recommendations of a report by the LGBTI Inclusive Education Working Group, who were tasked with taking the TIE pledges forward. Commenting, Fiona said; “Today marks a historic milestone in the ongoing drive for equality across Scotland and I am proud that Scotland consistently tops international rankings for performance on LGBTI rights. “Offensive, out-dated views have no place in our society and the Scottish Government is clear that any form of bullying or discrimination in our society…

Hyslop Welcomes St Kentigern’s Academy Students to Parliament Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow has met with senior pupils from St Kentigern’s Academy in Blackburn when they visited the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday (7th November). (see photo) Fiona said, “I am always delighted to meet with the students when they visit Holyrood. The St Kentigern’s Academy S6 students had some very topical and intelligent questions and a clear interest in both national and international politics. It was a pleasure to meet them. “We have a fantastic outreach programme at the Scottish Parliament and I am pleased that so many local schools are taking advantage of this.”  

Hyslop Welcomes 88,860 Euro rise in Erasmus+ Funding Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the rise in funding for the Erasmus+ EU Programme to the tune of 88,860 Euros, approximately £78,169, for the Linlithgow Constituency alone. Erasmus+, the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport is delivered in the UK through a partnership between the British Council and Ecorys UK. Fiona commented, “I am pleased to see this funding increase for Erasmus+, the European Union programme as it demonstrates a huge appetite across West Lothian’s education, youth and voluntary sectors for international exchange, collaboration and partnership. “This clearly shows the importance of EU funding and how schools in my constituency have benefitted through 88,860 Euros in funding in 2018 and I would like to pass on my…

Hyslop Welcomes CAA Decision to Reject Airspace Changes at Edinburgh Airport Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop welcomes the news that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has rejected Edinburgh Airport’s plans to make airspace changes. Fiona has long campaigned on behalf of her constituents for Edinburgh Airport to respond to the numerous complaints and concerns of local residents in relation to noise pollution and community engagement. She has also been very active in representing constituents’ views on the proposed airspace changes. Fiona commented, “Having worked on this issue representing my constituents for some years now, I very much welcome the CAA’s decision and I know that this will be a relief to local residents.  “The consultation survey Edinburgh Airport put out in summer 2017 clearly showed that more than half of…