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SNP GOVERNMENT’S ‘JOB START PAYMENT’ NOW OPEN TO APPLICATIONS Hyslop has welcomed a new Scottish benefit, introduced this week, that will help 16 to 24-year olds into work if they have been unemployed for over six months. The SNP Scottish Government’s Job Start Payment is a one-off grant of £250 to help with the costs of starting a new job. The upper age limit rises to 25 for care leavers and the payment rises to £400 if the person has a child. It is estimated around 5,000 young people across Scotland will benefit from this new financial support in its first year. Fiona commented: “The coronavirus pandemic has caused uncertainty for many young people entering the job market, which is why I am pleased there is now extra support available…

Hyslop urges West Lothian residents to visit community pharmacies with minor illnesses. People across West Lothian are being encouraged to visit their community pharmacy for advice and support to treat minor illnesses or common conditions, after new NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service was launched last week. The new service will allow community pharmacies to give people expert help for treating conditions such as sore throats, earache and cold sores, along with common clinical conditions such as Urinary Tract Infections. Pharmacy teams will offer advice, treatment or referral to other healthcare teams if required. The move will allow West Lothian residents to access the right care without having to visit their GP or an A&E department for non-urgent treatment. A&E departments remain open for emergency care – with the necessary public…

Hyslop highlights new figures which show that 2,275 businesses in West Lothian have received support from the Scottish Government to support them through the coronavirus. A total of £25.83 million has been awarded to businesses in West Lothian through a Scottish Government scheme designed to support small, local businesses mitigate some of the impact from the coronavirus. Fiona Hyslop, who is also the Economy Secretary, has been working through the Coronavirus crisis to make sure that Scottish Government funds have been reaching businesses. Fiona commented, ‘From the volume of cases I have received, I know the pandemic has put real pressure on local businesses in West Lothian’ ‘I want to thank hard working Council officials, often working from home, in dealing with these grants which have greatly helped many businesses’…

Hyslop Welcomes Additional £505,000 for Free School Meals in West Lothian Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s extension to Free School Meals for eligible children in West Lothian over the summer through a package of £27.6 million of additional funding from the Scottish Government. West Lothian Council will receive £505,000 funding from the Scottish Government for free school meals during the summer holiday period and £444,000 for the wider provision of food support.  Fiona commented, “We know that this pandemic has put real financial pressure on families, and it’s right that the Scottish Government has ensured West Lothian Council can continue to provide free school meals and support families, children and young people who need some extra help at this challenging time.  “Free school meals are…

Hyslop Backs Extra £8.692m for West Lothian to Tackle Covid 19 Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has backed a vote in Holyrood approving £8.692m extra funding for West Lothian Council in light of the Coronavirus Pandemic. This extra funding is on top of the local government finance settlement of £11.4 billion, which already provided an increase of £589.4 million (5.8%) compared to the previous year. Fiona commented, “The pandemic has put real pressure on families and our local services, and I am pleased to support the announcement of £8.692m extra funding to West Lothian Council from the Scottish Government so that the local authority is better equipped to deal with these pressures. “The boost in funding includes supporting access to food welfare and helping frontline services. I also welcome the…

  Hyslop Thanks 1,908 West Lothian Volunteers During Pandemic Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has praised the 1,908 West Lothian residents who have signed up to volunteering schemes during the current health pandemic. 824 people have volunteered with the British Red Cross in West Lothian, while 1,084 have signed up to Volunteer Scotland, according to new figures provided by the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre.   Scotland Cares links British Red Cross and Volunteer Scotland schemes to local authority and third sector activity in communities, creating a pool of volunteers for local organisations to draw upon and deploy as required. Volunteers are matched with local needs in a range of organisational settings, when those needs arise. It is up to the requesting organisation to decide how and when volunteers…

  Hyslop Welcomes £256,424 Funding Boost for West Lothian Schools Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government Announcement that pupils living in West Lothian’s most deprived communities will benefit from targeted funding from the Attainment Scotland Fund to help close the poverty-related attainment gap.  To help mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, schools and local authorities will have flexibility to redirect some of this funding from existing plans to best support the most vulnerable and disadvantaged families, with a continued focus on equity in education. Fiona commented, “I am pleased that the Scottish Government has announced that West Lothian Council is to receive £256,424 investment to support pupils from deprived backgrounds. “This latest funding boost for West Lothian demonstrates this Government’s ambition to transform our…

Local MSP Commends Bathgate Group for Festival Name Change Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has thanked and commended the decision made by the Bathgate Procession and Community Festival to rename itself. The Festival, formerly known as the John Newlands Festival, was named after John Newlands whose wealth was built from slavery. Commenting, Fiona said; “I appreciate the thoughtful and considered statement from the Bathgate Procession and Community Festival for taking the decision to use this title from now on, having changed it from the John Newlands Festival. “John Newlands wealth was built from slavery and I know there has long been debate and pressure to change the associations of this Children’s and Community festival - the time has always been right but most particularly now to say Black Lives Matter.…