10,379 Children Eligible for Free School Meals in West Lothian   Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that the Scottish Government’s Free School Meals Initiative will give 10,379 pupils that are in primaries 1-3 free school meals. Fiona said; “The Free School Meals initiative for p1-3 pupils is a huge financial help to families in West Lothian. Guaranteeing our youngest pupils a healthy meal during the school day helps them to learn and can save families an estimated £380 a year.   “Ensuring that 10,379 pupils across the region receive free school meals is an essential part of the Scottish Government’s central ambition to drive up standards in Scottish schools. "As the MSP who developed the SNP policy and the Government Minister responsible for piloting the initiative…

Hyslop Marks 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Linlithgow Palace Junior Guides Local MSP Fiona Hyslop visited Linlithgow Palace yesterday in her role as Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Linlithgow Palace Junior Guides. Commenting Fiona said; “I was delighted to visit Linlithgow palace on Sunday (Aug 13th) and meet the guides from Linlithgow Palace particularly as 2017 is our year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, which celebrates Scotland’s historic environment and past stories. “I was pleased to hand out certificates to the summer guides and to see former pupils from Linlithgow who are now all grown up. It was also great to see Bill Hendrie, former head teacher of Linlithgow Primary School and founder of the Linlithgow Junior Guide project who…

Local MSP and MP call for halt on flight paths changes until proper regulatory framework is in place Fiona Hyslop MSP and Hannah Bardell MP have responded to Edinburgh Airport’s “surprise” announcement of details of their proposals on the Airspace Change Programme and criticised the lack of a proper regulatory framework for decision-making Speaking in her Livingston constituency on Friday, Ms Bardell said: “This announcement has taken everyone by surprise; our understanding was that the CAA was not going to publish the details of Edinburgh airports proposals until they had been duly considered by the CAA. “It speaks to the clear lack of process the CAA has around the issue of airspace change that at the last minute the CAA have made a decision to publicise details ahead of their 16 week review.  “Edinburgh…

Hyslop Welcomes £256,505 Funding Boost for West Lothian Schools Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news from the Scottish Government that 2 schools in her constituency in West Lothian will receive £256,505 in 2017/18 to help close the poverty-related attainment gap. Commenting, Fiona said; “I am pleased that St Kentigern’s Academy in Blackburn and Bridgend Primary in Linlithgow will benefit from a share of £256,505 from the Scottish Government’s additional Attainment Challenge Funding. “This funding is targeted to improve the life chances and opportunities of young people in West Lothian who need it the most. It will prioritise improving literacy, numeracy and the health and wellbeing of children adversely affected by poverty in our local schools. “It is vital that all our children get the best possible education…

Hyslop Welcomes £150m Funding to Unlock Potential for Winchburgh Development in City Deal Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the announcement of up to £150m from the Edinburgh City Deal to be used to fund up to 5,000 new homes as part of the new Winchburgh Development. Investment for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal has come from both the UK and Scottish Governments and from contributions from local councils and universities. Commenting, Fiona said; “I am very pleased to hear that the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal will include £150m funding to deliver up to 5000 new homes as part of the new Winchburgh Development. This scale of housing investment should now help to secure the new secondary school so it is…

Hyslop Comments on Airport Flight Path Consultation Findings Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has commented on the recently released findings of the latest consultation held by Edinburgh Airport in relation to new flight path routes. “The figures released by Edinburgh Airport today (July 19th) showing more than half of all respondents registering negative feedback to Edinburgh Airport’s Overall proposals is a clear sign that the Airport must do more to engage with local communities and find solutions before taking any proposals to the Civil Aviation Authority. “The two proposed routes C5 and D0 that affect the town of Winchburgh in my constituency are the most unpopular to West Lothian residents, with the D0 route being the most unpopular route overall. This is unsurprising as I am well aware of the…

Hyslop Welcomes NHS Lothian 4 Hour A&E Target Success Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that 96.1% of patients in NHS Lothian’s emergency departments were seen, admitted or discharged within four hours – beating the 95% target. She has also welcomed the figures stating that St John’s Hospital in Livingston performed at 99% during the week ending July 2nd. Scottish hospitals have now had the best performing emergency departments in the UK for more than two years. Commenting, Fiona said:   “Scotland has had the best performing emergency departments in the UK for more than two years – which is testament to the hard work of our NHS and social care workers and I am pleased to see my own local hospital, St John’s in Livingston doing…

Hyslop Condemns Closure of HMRC in Bathgate Condemning the announcement to relocate HMRC services from Bathgate to Edinburgh, resulting in the closure of the Bathgate site, local MSP Fiona Hyslop commented; “I am deeply concerned by the UK Government’s decision to relocate HMRC services from the current Bathgate and Livingston sites to a regional centre in Edinburgh affecting up to 1,200 jobs. This decision has been made without proper parliamentary scrutiny, and despite concerns over the financial integrity of such a move being raised by the National Audit Office (NAO). “I have worked with representatives of PCS, representatives of other parties and SNP colleagues locally to work towards a resolution and to support the skilled workforce in aiming to retain their jobs, and keep them local. “Despite the unfounded claims…

Blooming Great Tea Party Raises £335 for Marie Curie Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has raised £335.76 in just an hour at the Blooming Great Tea Party she hosted in Whitburn for Marie Curie on Friday. (July 7th) The tea party which begun at 10.30am on July 7th in Whitburn Burgh Halls, attracted members of the Whitburn and wider West Lothian Community who helped fundraise for the Marie Curie charity. Fiona commented: “I am delighted at the number of West Lothian people who attended the tea party to give their donations and generously support to Marie Curie. “I am aware that I have many constituents who have had personal experiences with cancer and been involved with the charity in the past. “In a short space of time we managed to…

Hyslop Comments on Broxburn Job Centre Closure Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has commented on the UK Government’s decision to close the Job Centre Plus office in Broxburn and move it to Livingston, calling the DWP’s actions “unacceptable”. Fiona said; “The UK Government’s decision to close the Job Centre in Broxburn will disproportionately disadvantage unemployed people in West Lothian, pushing our most vulnerable people in society into further crisis and uncertainty. The decision to force those who are seeking work to spend more money by travelling further to a job centre is counter-productive. “I am disappointed that the UK Government has made no attempt to speak to the Scottish Government Minister for Employability, Jamie Hepburn, before making this decision and allowing local reprsentatives to make the case to retain the…