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Hyslop Warns Tory Welfare Cuts are Driving West Lothian Foodbank Demand New figures from the Trussell Trust show that 3,109 of three day emergency food parcels were handed out in West Lothian this year, including 1,058 provided for children. The statistics released this week show April to September 2019 to be the busiest half-year period for food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network since the charity opened. The main reasons cited for people needing emergency food in Scotland are low benefit income (38%), and delays (19%) or changes (17%) to benefits being paid. Fiona commented; “These shocking figures follow a trend of increased food bank demand since the roll out of the UK Government’s Universal Credit policy. “This increased reliance on food banks across West Lothian is the most damning…

  Hyslop Criticises Boots Prescription Delivery Policies ‘Prescription Delivery only free for online sign ups’   Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has written again to Boots to criticise their decision to charge for prescription deliveries. Following the decision of Boots to begin charging for delivery of prescriptions, Fiona received a number of complaints from constituents, many of whom were from older people in West Lothian.  A response to Fiona’s initial letter to Boots explained that customers can still receive free delivery charges, providing that they sign up online. Fiona commented, “I whole heartedly disagree with this policy that Boots are imposing on the most vulnerable in our society, particularly when Boots will make significant profits from prescriptions already. “Whilst it is welcome that they are not charging…

1,590 of West Lothian Households Helped in time of Crisis Hyslop Highlights Need for Full Powers at Holyrood to Tackle Poverty   Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has highlighted the work of the Scottish Welfare Fund which made 1,590 payments to local people in West Lothian from April – June 2019, compared to 1,230 payments at the same time last year. These payments, made up of 350 Community Care Grants and 1,240 Crisis Grants are to help people with essentials such as food, heating costs, and household items. Fiona commented, “The Scottish Welfare Fund is a vital lifeline for many people facing poverty or personal crisis but the fact that so many households across West Lothian are in need of emergency financial help is unacceptable. “There are families and…

  Hyslop’s Message of Congratulations to College Graduates Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency Fiona Hyslop attended West Lothian College’s Graduation Ceremony on Saturday (26th Oct) to celebrate the hard work and dedication from this year’s graduates. Fiona commented: “We should all be very proud of West Lothian College and what it contributes to the local community and economy in West Lothian. “I am always pleased to attend West Lothian College’s Graduation day to celebrate the achievements of the students as they start a new chapter in their lives. I am always impressed with the efforts and enthusiasm of students some of whom have come straight from school and some are coming back into education and holding down other responsibilities as they complete their studies. “In 2017/18 over 93% of…

Hyslop Welcomes Transformative Childcare and Social Care PledgesFiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has welcomed the news that West Lothian Families are set to benefit from transformative child and social care pledges as set out by the First Minister at SNP Conference earlier this week. (Tuesday 15th Oct)Nicola Sturgeon announced that the SNP will scrap all non-residential social care charges and expand childcare into the school holidays for primary pupils from the poorest backgrounds if re-elected at the 2021 election.Fiona commented,“By August next year the SNP in government will have all but doubled the hours children receive. It will give them 30 hours a week of high quality, free care and education - saving families in West Lothian £4,500 per year for each child.“These new polices pledged by the…

Hyslop Condemns Boris Brexit Deal Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has condemned the new Proposed Brexit Deal saying it is even worse that the deals proposed by Theresa May when she was Prime Minister. While England and Wales both voted to leave the EU, and would do so under the deal, Northern Ireland is being handed a special deal effectively keeping it within the single market and customs union – with the power to change their relationship in future. These proposals would leave Scotland – a Remain voting country - being dragged out of the EU with no say over our future relationship. Fiona commented, “Boris Johnston’s proposed new Brexit deal would leave Scotland unique among the four UK nations in being completely ignored.“It is even more extreme for…

Hyslop Visits Refurbished Winchburgh Pub following Investment Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has visited the Tally Ho Pub in Winchburgh following its £400,000 refurbishment undertaken by Star Pubs & Bars and the pub’s new licensees, Winchburgh residents Trevor and Yvonne Spence. The newly designed pub opened in August and created 18 jobs. As part of her visit Fiona had lunch with her constituency team, met with licensees Trevor and Yvonne Spence and Tom Reilly, one of Star Pubs and Bars Business Development Managers and had a tour of the newly refurbished bar. Fiona said, “It’s been great to meet Trevor and Yvonne and to see the refurbishment of the Tally Ho Pub in Winchburgh. The Tally Ho is a welcoming and vibrant place for families and I was very…

Hyslop Backs Ambitious Steps to Tackle Climate Emergency Scottish Parliament Passes Landmark Climate Change Bill Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has voted in favour of the Climate Change Bill, meaning that Scotland will now have the most ambitious statutory targets in the world and its contribution to climate change will end, definitively, within a generation. The landmark legislation commits Scotland to becoming a net-zero society by 2045 – five years before the rest of the UK and in line with the advice from the UK Committee on Climate Change. The Scottish Government also adopted an ambitious new target to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030 – the toughest statutory target of any country in the world. Fiona commented, “Climate change is the biggest challenge facing humanity, and the defining…

[caption id="attachment_2546" align="aligncenter" width="3600"] Autism Hour Photo Call for the National Autistic Society.Photograph by Martin ShieldsTel 07572 457000www.martinshields.com© Martin Shields[/caption] Hyslop encourages businesses to take part in Autism Hour Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency is calling on local businesses to take part in Autism Hour to encourage shops to be more autism-friendly. Autism Hour highlights that small changes can make a big difference to autistic customers and families. National Autistic Society Scotland hope that, after participating in Autism Hour, shops will introduce regular autism-friendly sessions. There are around 58,000 autistic people in Scotland. Being autistic means seeing, hearing and feeling the world in a different, often more intense way to other people. Autistic people often find social situations difficult and can struggle to filter out the sounds, smells,…

Hyslop Welcomes Cystic Fibrosis Drug Pricing Agreement Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government announcement that a five year pricing agreement to supply NHS Scotland with medicines to benefit patients living with cystic fibrosis in Scotland has been secured. The pricing agreement was made by the Scottish Government and medicines manufacturer Vertex Pharmaceuticals. It is the first agreement anywhere in the UK that allows these medicines to be available in this way. Fiona commented: “I know this will be welcome news to many of my constituents who suffer from or have family or friends who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis. “This new pricing agreement will allow Cystic Fibrosis clinics to prescribe the use of medicines Orkambi® and Symkevi® to patients who believe they will benefit from…