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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has sponsored a Poetry in Parliament Event at Holyrood which aimed to showcase how arts and culture provide new and powerful perspectives on Climate Change. Fiona’s event, ‘Poetry in Parliament: A Voice for the Climate Emergency’ was co-hosted by Creative Carbon Scotland and Creative Scotland and featured work by four Scotland based poets: Kathleen Jamie, the Scottish Makar; Canadian born Alycia Pirmohamed; North East based poet, Jo Gilbert and Shezar Doja, a Bangladeshi poet based in Glasgow whose family and friends are currently living with the devastating impacts of Climate Change now. Commenting after the event, Fiona said, “I was very pleased to sponsor such an enjoyable, challenging and important event at the Scottish Parliament this week. (Tuesday 22nd November) “Poetry has…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed analysis from the British Business Bank which found that entrepreneurs aged 65 and under have successfully secured 279 Start Up Loans from their programme since the scheme began in 2012. The loans are provided by the Start Up Loans Company, part of the British Business Bank, and are designed to provide support to new and early-stage businesses across the UK and help them access affordable finance and mentoring support. This represents 2.4 loans per 1000 adults in Scotland, meaning West Lothian have the highest loan to adult population rate in Scotland. Commenting Fiona said; “I am pleased to hear that entrepreneurs in West Lothian have ranked top in Scotland for securing Start Up Loans from the British Business Bank. “The…

Social Security Scotland Payment Expands to under 16s from November 14th Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, is encouraging eligible families to apply for the double December Bridging payment from Social Security Scotland to ensure children on low incomes get their free school meals.  Families must apply for the double December Bridging Payment benefit of £260 before the school holidays next month. In addition, from Monday 14th November, Social Security Scotland will also open applications for the increased Scottish Child Payment of £25 per week to all eligible under-16s. Fiona commented, “We know the Cost Of Living Crisis is having a severe impact on many families, particularly those on the lowest incomes. With pressures on family budgets increasing, it’s more important than ever to receive all the help…

Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has commented on the recent HMRC figures which show the damaging impacts that Brexit has cost industries in West Lothian as exports have plummeted since the UK left the EU. Figures from HMRC show that exports have dropped 13% in the past two years from £16.7bn to £14.5bn. The £2.2bn loss is equivalent to £74.5 million in West Lothian alone. Fiona commented, “These figures show the blatant damage that the UK Government’s hard Brexit has caused our local areas and industries across Scotland are suffering as a result. “With Brexit causing a direct loss in exports, this has cost  industries in West Lothian £74.5m. This is unacceptable during already difficult financial times. “With Labour and the Tories offering no way back to the…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the recent changes and assessments which has taken place on a dangerous stretch of road that links Linlithgow to Bo’ness on A803 at the M9 Junction 3 slip roads. The A803, where it meets the M9 at junction 3, has been the subject of many complaints, concerns and issues raised over the years including drivers trying to access the M9 at the ‘No entry’ sign. Fiona had previously convened a meeting with representatives from West Lothian Council, Falkirk Council and Police Scotland in the past to find a way forward following a number of dangerous and tragic accidents on the road. In a recent response to Fiona’s latest letter raising concerns, West Lothian Council have confirmed that a site visit was…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, sponsored a Lipid Management in Scotland Roundtable in the Scottish Parliament with HEART UK on Thursday 3rd November. With so many avoidable deaths from coronary heart disease early identification of familial inherited high cholesterol is key in improving deaths from heart disease. Patsy Petrie from Linlithgow is Heart UK’s only Scottish Ambassador but such has been her effort and impact in raising the issue of Familial Hypercholesterolemia – inherited levels of high cholesterol she was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for her work by HEART UK at the event attended by Public Health Minister Maree Todd. The Roundtable which Fiona held with HEART UK featured other experts with first hand experience of the impact of the condition and how it…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes the First Minister's announcement that families of an estimated 145,000 children across Scotland will benefit from extra support from the Scottish Government this winter to help with cost of living pressures. Bridging Payments were introduced in 2021, ahead of the extension of the Scottish Child Payment to 6-15 year olds. The final quarterly Bridging Payment, which is due in December, has been doubled to £260, meaning families will receive up to £650 per eligible child this year. Commenting Fiona said; “3,880 families in West Lothian have already benefitted from the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment, with £632,010 already paid out to families in the area. I welcome this announcement from the Scottish Government that the final Bridging Payment will be…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights legislation making it a criminal offence for anyone to supply fireworks or other pyrotechnic articles to a child or person under 18, which will come into effect on 10 October. From this date, attacks on emergency workers using fireworks or pyrotechnics will also become aggravating factors that can be taken into account when courts sentence offenders. These measures are set out in the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic (Scotland) Act 2022 passed by the Scottish Parliament on 29 June. Fiona said; “I am very pleased to see these new powers, which have come into place at pace to make it a criminal offence to supply fireworks or other pyrotechnic articles to a child or anyone under 18. “Fireworks in the wrong hands can…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, visited West Lothian Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Debt Centre during Challenge Poverty Week which ran from 3-9 October 2022. Fiona visited the Debt Centre to hear more about the support and services they provide to people in need of help with debt, which is an essential service particularly as we continue to deal with the impacts of the Cost of Living Crisis. CAP Debt Centre has been operating in West Lothian for two years and is an FCA accredited debt help charity. The charity has been working across Scotland to provide community-based, holistic approach which is available to anyone for over 20 years. Commenting Fiona said; “The work of West Lothian Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre is incredibly important in helping people…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, Chaired the Next Steps for Climate Change Policy in Scotland morning session of the Scotland Policy Conferences on Friday October 7th.  The session focussed on exploring the next steps needed for Scotland in tackling climate change. The first session of the Conference, of which Ms Hyslop was Chair, featured a keynote address from Dr Ameena Camps who is a Commissioner for the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Commission and a Director of Community Energy Scotland. This was followed by two panel discussions and Q&A sessions. The first panel focused on achieving a sustainable and Just Transition, this was followed by a session on climate adaption and resilience. Commenting after the Conference Fiona said: “I was pleased to Chair Scotland’s Policy Conference on Next…