18Aug 2025 by admin

Local MSP Highlights Support for Local Families

News, News in Lothian
Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has highlighted the wide range of support available to families with the cost of learning. The Best Start Grant - School Age Payment is a one-off payment of £314.45 to eligible families when their child starts primary school, helping with essentials such as school uniforms, shoes, and bags. This is in addition to the Best Start Foods payment card, which supports families with the cost of healthy food throughout the year. Commenting Fiona said: “While the start of the school year is an exciting time for children, it can be a financially challenging time. “The Scottish Government are committed to supporting families and I am pleased to see that 4,685 payments have been made, totalling over £1.29 million, to families in West…
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13Aug 2025 by admin

Fiona Hyslop MSP Completes 10 Surgeries in 2 Days

News, News in Lothian
Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has completed her 10-venue summer surgery programme, visiting a number of villages across West Lothian. The surgeries took place on Monday 4th and Friday 8th August. Fiona visited and conducted surgeries in Bridgend, Winchburgh, Uphall, Dechmont, Newton, Blackridge, East Whitburn, Boghall, Bridgehouse/Westfield and Torphichen in just two days. Fiona said, "My series of summer surgeries, which have taken place every year over a number of years, were a great opportunity to meet local people who live in the villages in my Constituency, as I normally hold surgeries in the bigger towns when Parliament is sitting. "I want to thank everyone who came along to a surgery, to pass on any concerns or news on local matters. "It was also a lovely reminder of the natural…
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08Aug 2025 by admin

Local MSP Highlights Scottish Government Support for 1,060 Households in West Lothian

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes new figures which reveal that 1,060 families in West Lothian will benefit from the Scottish Government’s decision to scrap the UK Government’s two-child cap, which currently limits support for children living in poverty to only 2 children per family By ending it on 2nd March 2026, the Scottish Government is ensuring that 20,000 fewer children will live in relative poverty next year. Commenting Fiona said: “The UK Government’s two-child cap which currently limits support for children living in poverty to only 2 children per family is now impacting 1,060 households across West Lothian. “First Minister, John Swinney, is clear that is one his key priorities is eradicating child poverty and the Scottish Government’s mitigation of this harmful policy is key to…
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28Jul 2025 by admin

Local MSP Highlights Scottish Government Action to Protect Residents from Water Bill Hikes in West Lothian

News, News in Lothian
Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights Scottish Government action to protect residents of West Lothian from spiralling water bills thanks to the public ownership of Scottish Water. Figures show that the average water bill in England and Wales is £603 this year, almost 20% higher than the £490 a year average in Scotland. Commenting Fiona said: “Following a major review into England and Wales’ water industry which shows that bills will soar by over 30% in the next five years, it is clear that while England’s water companies are run for profit, Scotland’s are run for public benefit and ensures that Scot’s pay far less for their water. “By ensuring Scottish Water is in public ownership the Scottish Government have kept costs down for my Constituents across…
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21Jul 2025 by admin

Fiona Hyslop MSP Holds Summer Surgeries Across West Lothian

News, News in Lothian
Following the success of previous years, Fiona Hyslop, Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, is again heading across the Constituency for a series of Summer Surgeries on Monday 4th and Friday 8th August. Over the course of two days Fiona will be visiting every ward in her Constituency including many of the smaller villages in West Lothian.  Commenting Fiona said: “Whilst I organise regular surgeries all over my Constituency, it is important to get out and meet the Constituents who cannot always make it to the bigger towns to meet with me. By organising my summer surgeries in smaller venues across the Constituency, I can meet as many of my Constituents as possible at a venue that is convenient and accessible for them. “Constituents will be seen on a first…
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27Jun 2025 by admin

Local MSP Welcomes Scottish Government Support for West Lothian Pensioners

News, News in Lothian
Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that all pensioners in Scotland with an income of less than £35,000 will receive the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment this winter. These payments will be either £203.40 or £305.10 per household, depending on age, meaning that Scottish pensioners will be better off compared to those in the rest of the UK. Commenting Fiona said: “I welcome this support for pensioners across West Lothian which will be crucial this winter. “These payments will ensure that those most in need get the support they need this winter and will be a lifeline for many people across West Lothian. “After changes were made to the Winter Fuel Payment by the Labour Government last year, the Scottish Government ensured…
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23Jun 2025 by admin

Press Comment from Fiona Hyslop MSP following Health Secretary’s Visit to Blackburn:

News, News in Lothian
“It was great to see the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Neil Gray MSP chose to visit Blackburn Partnership Centre on Tuesday 17th July to launch Scotland’s Population Health Framework and the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework. “These are major national policy frameworks are focused on prevention and joined-up community care to help people lead healthier lives and there is so much happening in Blackburn which already is delivering on this. “The launch of both of these frameworks shows clear progress towards delivering the Scottish Government’s vision for a healthier, fairer and more resilient Scotland. “I was pleased to see the Cabinet Secretary visit Blackburn Partnership Centre, in my Constituency, as part of this launch.” ENDS
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23Jun 2025 by admin

Local MSP Highlights Positive Destinations for West Lothian School Leavers

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has highlighted new figures showing that 91.6% of West Lothian school leavers went on to further education, training or employment in 2023-24. The latest Summary Statistics for Follow-Up Leaver Destinations revealed that 91.1% of school leavers in West Lothian reached a positive destination within nine months of leaving school in 2023-24. Commenting Fiona said: “I was pleased to see that of 2,201 school leavers across West Lothian, 91.6% were able to go into positive destinations, including higher education, training, and employment in 2023-24. “These figures are a true testament to the commitment and dedication of teachers, parents and young people across West Lothian. “So many of our young people are able to follow their ambition as they leave school, whether it is…
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23Jun 2025 by admin

Local MSP Welcomes Scottish Government helping 950 West Lothian families by Scrapping Two-Child Cap

News, News in Lothian
Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that it will scrap the two-child cap from 2nd March 2026. The two-child cap was introduced by the Tories as part of their programme of austerity and has subsequently become Labour policy, despite Keir Starmer’s previous promises to scrap it. By ending it the Scottish Government is ensuring 20,000 fewer children in Scotland will live in relative poverty next year. Commenting Fiona said: “I welcome the news that the Scottish Government is ending the two-child cap in Scotland.  “The UK Government’s decision to continue the two-child cap has harmed 950 households in West Lothian but from next year this will end due to action taken by the Scottish Government. “The Scottish Government has stepped in to…
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16Jun 2025 by admin

Local MSP Highlights 170k Funding Boost for West Lothian Climate Action

News, News in Lothian
Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed new funding for West Lothian from the Scottish Government to support local communities in tackling the climate emergency. West Lothian Climate Action Network is set to receive £170,985 to support grassroots climate projects across West Lothian. This funding is part of £6 million of funding being delivered by the Scottish Government in 2025-26. Commenting Fiona said: “I was pleased to hear that West Lothian Climate Action Network will receive £170,985 in funding from the Scottish Government which will allow them to build on their excellent climate action work in the coming year. “This funding makes the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensure that every part of the country has access to support for localised climate action clear. “Climate change is one…
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