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Hyslop Thanks Council Staff as 1,416 Businesses are Supported through Covid Crisis Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has thanked West Lothian Council Staff for their hard work in processing 1,416 Scottish Government grants and ensuring that over £16m of support reached our local businesses during the current Covid 19 pandemic. A total of £16.13 has been awarded through Scottish Government Schemes to support small businesses and the retail, hospitality and leisure sector. This grant support is worth over £1 billion to business across the country and is part of the wider business support package worth £2.3 billion. Commenting, Fiona said; “This is an exceptionally difficult time for businesses across West Lothian. This Scottish Government funding is designed to support firms and ensure that our economy is on the best…

  Hyslop Congratulates Local Newsagent Owners on 60 Years of Service Local Linlithgow MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has written to Jean and George Wilson, owners of Linlithgow’s Wilson’s Newsagent at the Vennel congratulating them on being in business for 60 years this month. (April 2020) Fiona wrote to the couple offering her congratulations and sincere thanks for their service over the years. (Letter attached for information) Fiona commented, “Wilson’s Newsagents in Linlithgow is an important and well known business both locally and outside of Linlithgow, many of those who use their services can recall doing so throughout their lifetime as Wilson’s now mark 60 years in business. “I was delighted to write to them and thank them for their years of service, particularly during these difficult and testing times, and to…

Hyslop Announces £100 Million Fund in Covid – 19 Economy Plan Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop, has set out the steps of the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 Economy Plan at Holyrood this week (Tuesday, 21st April) in her role as Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture. This includes a £100m fund that will support the newly self-employed and firms suffering hardship and will be paid in early May. Those looking to apply for this fund can do so by the end of this month. Fiona commented; “On Tuesday, I set out the 4 steps of the Covid-19 Economy plan: Response. Re-set. Restart. Recovery. In my role as Economy Secretary I have been building consensus on this and what will be involved with a number of different businesses, industries…

 Hyslop Welcomes Delivery of Critical PPE Supplies   Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the delivery over the weekend of critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Scotland. The cargo which included around 10 million face masks as well as infusion pumps for Intensive Care Units and virus collecting kits for use in health laboratories, landed at Glasgow Prestwick Airport from China on Saturday morning. Fiona commented, “This delivery is very welcome news. As Economy Secretary in the Scottish Government I have been supporting the work to help repurpose the private sector to help deal with the supply demands of the NHS and care sector “I am very aware that Scottish Trade and Investment Minister, Ivan McKee, has also been working at pace with the NHS and manufacturers both…

Local MSP and Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop Welcomes Additional Support For Business Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop who is also the Scottish Government’s Economy Secretary, has been heavily involved in the development of the new scheme which provides around £220 million of further grants being made available for businesses - including the recently self-employed - to help them deal with the ongoing impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The new package of measures includes £120 million to extend the Small Business Grant scheme to ensure that, in addition to a 100% grant on the first property, small business rate payers will be eligible to a 75% grant on all subsequent properties. A further £100 million fund is also being made available to protect self-employed people and viable micro and SME…

Hyslop Urges Constituents to Exercise Locally Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency Fiona Hyslop is encouraging her constituents to stay local when exercising and walking dogs in West Lothian and to avoid any unnecessary travel that might help spread coronavirus. Official advice from the Scottish and UK governments warns that people in West Lothian should not be driving somewhere with the intent of doing exercise or walking their dog – with new powers granted to police to enforce these regulations. Fiona commented, “Exercise is a really important way of maintaining your physical and mental health so leaving your homes once a day to exercise alone or with members of your own household, is fine providing you keep to the social distancing guidelines of remaining at least 2 metres away from…

Hyslop Calls on West Lothian Community to Volunteer During Health Crisis Local Linlithgow MSP, Fiona Hyslop, is calling upon those who are able in the community to consider volunteering as part of the new ‘Scotland Cares’ Campaign. While the most important ask for the public remains to stay at home and follow the essential public health guidance, people who are healthy and not at risk can volunteer to provide practical or emotional help to those most in need. Those wanting to volunteer to support their communities have three options which are signposted from the Ready Scotland website: returning NHS workers will be directed to existing voluntary arrangements in NHS Scotland people wishing to offer their support to our public services, including the NHS and local authorities, will be directed to…

On Wednesday, Fiona Hyslop delivered a statement at the Scottish Parliament in her capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture on Covid 19 and the Economy. You can watch her statement here: https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/ministerial-statement-economy-covid-19-march-18-2020 The Following Scottish Government Press Release was released to give further details about a £2.2 Billion package for Scottish Businesses.  £2.2 billion for business Published: 18 Mar 2020 16:26 Part of:   Coronavirus in Scotland Providing support during economic emergency Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop has addressed the Scottish Parliament on the economic impact of COVID-19 in Scotland. In her statement she warned that as a result of coronavirus, the Scottish economy is facing an immediate collapse in demand. She outlined the actions being taken by the Scottish Government to support businesses including a package of…

 Hyslop Marks Impact Arts Exhibition Launch in Bathgate Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, attended, spoke at and handed out certificates to the young participants of the Impact Arts Exhibition Launch at the Regal Connect Theatre in Bathgate last week. (Friday 13th March) Impact Arts uses the arts and creativity to enable and power social change, helping individuals and communities transform their lives through the arts. Fiona said, “I was very impressed by the artworks created by the young people involved in the Impact Arts Employability Programme in Bathgate and also by the confidence from those involved who were keen to show me their work. “I am a strong believer in the power of arts and culture and their ability to reach and empower individuals on many levels and from…