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“I was pleased to see the WASPI women come to the Scottish Parliament as the latest step in their campaign and that the First Minister at Question time paid tribute to them and offered his support. “Thousands of women born in the 1950s across West Lothian were adversely affected by the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions failure to communicate rises to the state pension age. “WASPI surveys show one in three 1950s-born WASPI women are now in debt, while the UK Government has saved over £200 billion by raising the State Pension age, with £181.4 billion having been saved from women alone. “The publication of the recent Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) report, ‘Women’s State Pension Age: our findings on injustice and associated issues’, found that the…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency Fiona Hyslop, is calling on the Royal Bank of Scotland to reconsider plans to close their Bathgate branch, after the shock announcement from RBS. Commenting Fiona said; “The closure of the Bathgate Royal Bank of Scotland branch will be a huge loss to the town, and I would urge RBS to reconsider their position on the closure of this branch. “RBS Bathgate branch is one of only three dedicated banking facilities in the town and is a facility needed by not only local residents but also many local businesses. “In 2017, we seen RBS close several of their branches including those in Whitburn and Linlithgow and this closure is another disappointing blow for West Lothian. Of course they used the provision of a branch…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, who attended Eid celebrations held by Bathgate Mosque and Rasul Restaurant in Bathgate, commented, "Ramadan can be a difficult time for many people, and the support that the Bathgate Mosque, Rasul Restaurant and the wider community have provided to those seeking sanctuary in West Lothian has been an excellent exhibition of a caring and accepting community. "I am delighted to have been invited to this event to celebrate Eid and be a part of this important day." ENDS

Local MSP praises progress of Strathbrock Community Garden   Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, visited the Strathbrock Community Garden, which is run by Broxburn & Uphall Development Group, on Friday 12th April. Broxburn and Uphall Development Group started The Strathbrock Community Garden to enable local people get involved in gardening. Following the visit, Fiona commented: "I was pleased to visit the Strathbrock Garden to see the progress that Broxburn and Uphall Development Group have made since my last visit in 2023. They have certainly made considerable progress in a short period of time. "It is clear to see that the Broxburn and Uphall Development Group is a vital part of the community and the Strathbrock Community Garden is proof of this. "The Garden welcomes children, disability groups and other…

Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop, has visited the Low Port Centre which officially re-opened in January this year. The Low Port Centre in Linlithgow, previously known across the Lothians for its outdoor education programmes, closed in lockdown. West Lothian Council then deemed the Centre surplus to requirements and so St John’s Church began a Community Asset Transfer process to create a permanent base for the Church and a number of local charities and businesses. The new Charity, who have taken over the Low Port Centre on a two year lease, were given the keys to the building in January 2024. Following the visit, Fiona commented, “It was great to be shown round the newly re-opened Low Port Centre, and see how in a very short time it has…

Fiona Hyslop Welcomes £30m Further Funding for Mental Health Services Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement for a further £30 million of funding for two funds aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing in adults, children, and young people. The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults has supported local community groups to deliver programmes focused on connecting people and providing peer support helping to tackle social isolation, loneliness, and mental health inequalities through activities such as sports, outdoor activities, and the arts. The Children and Young People’s Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund supports local authorities to deliver community-based mental health and wellbeing support for young people aged five to 24 and their families including mentoring, art-based therapies, digital services, whole-family support,…

Fiona Hyslop Welcomes Social Security Support Increase Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, is highlighting that from Monday 1st April everyone who receives support from Social Security Scotland will see an increase in the amount of assistance they receive. In the 2024/25 Scottish budget, despite cuts from Westminster the Scottish Government prioritised helping those who need it the most – which is why all devolved social security payments will be uprated in line with inflation. This means that vital supports such as the Scottish Child Payment, the Winter Heating Payment and the Young Carer grant will all go up 6.7% from April 1st 2024. Commenting, Fiona said, “Despite brutal Westminster cuts to spending on public services the Scottish Government is using their limited resources to support household budgets…

Fiona Hyslop Welcomes Adult Disability Support for 2,262 People across West Lothian Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, has welcomed latest figures which show that the new Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance will ensure that up to 2,262 people in West Lothian will benefit from “an approach rooted in dignity, fairness and respect” with Social Security Scotland providing a total of 15 support payments. Under the Scottish Government’s proposals, those in Scotland who currently receive the DWP’s Disability Living Allowance – around 66,000 adults – will, from next year, be automatically transferred to the new Scottish benefit. They will then be able to apply for Adult Disability Payment. Fiona said, “Since its inception, Social Security Scotland has set out to support those who need it most, with an approach…

Local MSP Highlights Purple Day  Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights Purple Day for Epilepsy. Purple Day is a day of action, awareness and fundraising for epilepsy. Every year, people around the world come together to tackle the stigma and raise awareness in support of those living with epilepsy. Purple Day was marked on Tuesday 26th March 2024. Commenting Fiona said: "I am pleased to highlight and raise awareness for this important condition that around 58,000 people across Scotland live with every day. "Purple Day is vital in highlighting the impact that epilepsy has on people's lives and assures those living with epilepsy that they are not alone." ENDS

Local MSP Highlights Action on Tobacco and Vaping as West Lothian sees Seizures of Illegal VapesLocal MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights new measures to protect children and young people and reduce preventable deaths. New proposed legislation will ban the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 and will allow for tougher measures on vaping. The Scottish Government have already published proposals to ban the sale of single use vapes in Scotland using existing environmental powers. Commenting Fiona said: “Scotland has been a world leader on a range of tobacco control measures, and I am pleased to see this new proposed legislation which prioritises protecting children and young people from the harms associated with tobacco use and vaping. “We are all aware that…