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During the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government Debate on the 8th of September, local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, spoke about the importance of a green economic recovery and called for all parties to come together to face the pressures of Covid recovery and the drive to net zero. Fiona also stressed the importance of a just transition to green energy and highlighted that her constituency of Linlithgow has experienced several industrial transitions which have not always been positive. Fiona called on the Parliament to learn lessons from previous transitions which have occurred in West Lothian to help shape a fairer future. Speaking in the debating chamber on Wednesday (Sept 8th) Fiona said; “This Programme for Government is ambitious, and it is bold and is based on a very full…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes announcement that 3,880 families in West Lothian have benefitted from the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment, with £632,010 paid out to families in the area. The most recent Scottish Government figures demonstrate how many families in West Lothian have benefitted from the support since its introduction in February to 30th June 2021. So far, across Scotland 108,000 children have benefitted from the payment which provides eligible families with £10-a-week. Fiona commented: “Tackling child poverty is a national mission for the SNP Government, and I am pleased to hear that 3,880 families in West Lothian are being supported. “The Scottish Child Payment has been described by charities as game-changing and we are seeing that difference across Scotland and it is fantastic…

Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, who is also deputy Convener of the Net Zero Scottish Parliament Committee has commended Invinity Energy Systems (LSE:IES) in Bathgate for their clean energy technology at a visit to the facility this week. (25th August). Invinity manufactures utility-grade energy storage systems which utilise patented Vanadium Flow Battery (or “VFB”) technology to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy globally. To date, the company has over 25 megawatt-hours (MWh) of its batteries installed or under contract for delivery at more than 40 sites worldwide, including high profile projects in Scotland, England, the USA and Australia. The company’s Bathgate facility plays a crucial role in assembling the battery systems for export to customers around the world. In line with growing demand for its products, Invinity has more…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, continues to support the ‘Scotland Loves Local’ Campaign’ by highlighting the new local gift card initiative, which is being funded by the Scottish Government and rolled out across West Lothian and all other local authority areas. The Scotland Loves Local Gift Card is a localised card for each of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas which will encourage people to support and spend money in businesses local to them. The card, once purchased, can be used in any local business which has signed up to the initiative. The scheme will launch for consumer use later this year and Fiona encourages as many retailers as possible to sign up to the scheme, to be able to take payments through the Gift Card. The sign-up…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has written to the Scottish Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth adding her support to calls that he urge the UK Government to implement the UK Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee’s recommendations to amend funds in the Miners Pension Scheme to ensure fairness for former mine workers. The Miners Pension Scheme established in 1994, meant a 50/50 split in surplus sharing between the miners and UK Government. This means that to date the UK Government has received £4.4 billion, with at least a further £1.9 billion due, whilst paying nothing into the fund. In other words, the UK Government is making an easy profit from no investment. The UK Parliament committee therefore recommended amending the 50/50 surplus sharing arrangements…

Local Linlithgow MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has officially unveiled a new plaque at the Carmelite Friary site which is sited off the path leading to Rosemount Park from Manse Road in Linlithgow. The improvement works include replacement seats, a bin and a new interpretation panel.  The old Marches Stone recording the Linlithgow Parliamentary Boundary has also been surrounded with setts and can be viewed in the woods that lead to Rosemount Park. Commenting at the event, Fiona said; “I am delighted to be invited by Linlithgow Civic Trust to officially unveil the plaque and environmental improvements of Linlithgow’s Carmelite Friary. This lovely quiet and historic spot can now be enjoyed even more by the increasing numbers of local people who are choosing to include the paths as part of their regular…

Local constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes news that fees for children learning a music instrument at school will be removed thanks to more than £7 million funding from the Scottish Government. This funding covers the 2021-22 academic year and marks a further commitment from the first 100 days of this Scottish Government. In West Lothian, the previous Labour led Council in 2018 introduced charges for individual music tuition and this led to a drop in the number of young people taking music lessons. Fiona commented; “Learning music can be life-changing for many young people and West Lothian has historically had a great tradition in music making in the county. It is essential that all young people receiving additional music tuition in schools can do so because of their talent and…

Following on-going representation by local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, on behalf of her constituents who work at St. John’s Hospital, Fiona Hyslop has further highlighted to NHS Lothian the need for greater accessibility to car parking for staff at the hospital. Availability of staff car parking is a long-standing issue, and in Fiona’s letter to NHS Lothian she highlighted the need for a commitment to improve the current situation, to bring back pre-Covid measures such as the lift share programme and the shuttle service for staff at Livingston FC Stadium. Fiona highlighted that these measures are essential to ensuring the accessibility of car parking and the safety of all staff. In response, NHS Lothian committed to continuing to host virtual sessions to seek ideas from staff on how they can…