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  Fiona Hyslop Local MSP Welcomes Veterans Minister to Bathgate Korean War Memorial (photo attached of Fiona Hyslop MSP with Graeme Dey, Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans and two members of the British Korean War Veterans Association, Adam McKenzie and Ronnie Wilson.) Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow Constituency invited the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans, Graeme Dey, to visit the Korean War Memorial in the Bathgate Hills. Fiona wrote to the Minister asking that he encourage Transport Scotland to find a way of including the Korean War Memorial in Bathgate on the current M9 Brown signs and to add a new sign on the M8. Fiona commented,  “I was pleased to welcome the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans to my constituency and introduce him to members of…

Hyslop Welcomes Local Services Investment from Scottish Budget Local Linlithgow MSP has welcomed the Scottish Government’s Budget which passed through Parliament yesterday (Thursday 31st January) which includes an increase in investment for local services. Holyrood has backed the SNP’s budget plans, offering economic stability in the face of Brexit while giving a cash boost to the NHS, schools and other vital services. Fiona said, “Despite a real term cut from Westminster of almost £2 billion in a decade to Scotland’s block resource grant, the Scottish Government is proposing additional funding of almost £730 million for Scotland’s health and care services – including £57.2m for NHS Lothian. “Under the deal reached, West Lothian Council will receive an additional £14.26m in spending power compared to last year’s budget as part of a total…

  Hyslop congratulates Hideaway Café on Top Awards Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has met Paul Gray and his team at the Hideaway Café at Beecraigs to congratulate them on their accolades including their ‘Free From’ range of food on offer. The Hideaway has a full gluten free menu and offers a variety of food that are both gluten and diary free. Fiona said, “It was a pleasure to meet Paul and his team at the Hideaway Café this week (Monday 28th Jan) in the stunning surroundings of Beecraigs Park. “I have congratulated Paul on winning a number of hospitality awards including Best Newcomer; Best Café or Teashop and Best Focus on Gluten. The café also has an Eat Safe Award, a recognition for their ‘Free From’ range which…

24/7 Services Return to St John’s Children’s Ward Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that the Children’s Ward at St John’s Hospital will return to 24/7 operating hours on Mondays to Thursdays from March 2019 and all week from October 2019. The announcement was made by Jeane Freeman, Health Secretary in the Scottish Government during at statement to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon. (Tuesday, 29 January). Fiona commented; “I am delighted that the Scottish Government Health Secretary, Jeane Freeman, has announced that St John’s Children’s Ward will return to 24/7 services Monday – Thursday from March and 7 days a week from October. Ms Freeman promised the Scottish Parliament and the people of West Lothian in September (2018) that she would update Parliament in January following…

SNP Politicians Demand Urgent 'Re-think' of Santander Branch Closures The SNP have called on Santander to undertake an urgent “re-think” of the 15 branches in Scotland which face closure this year. It was announced today that Santander plan to close local branches in Aberdeen, Alloa, Bathgate, Brechin, Edinburgh, Forfar, Glasgow, Helensburgh, Kirkcaldy, Lanark, Renfrew, St Andrews, and Troon. This is just the latest round of bank closures to hit communities across Scotland. Since 2015 more than 230 bank branches in Scotland have been shut or marked for closure and research suggests that local branches are closing faster in Scotland than any other part of the UK. Santander intend to close 140 branches, putting almost 1,300 jobs at risk. The branches are due to close throughout the year, with the first…

Hyslop Welcomes U-Turn on Settled Status Fee for EU Citizens Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that the Prime Minister has decided to scrap the hugely controversial Settled Status fee for EU citizens, following a successful campaign by the SNP and the 3 Million Campaign. In December in the Scottish Parliament, on a motion from the Scottish Government, all parties except the Tories backed calls for the UK government to drop the fee. The Scottish Government had previously committed to paying the fees for all public sector workers in Scotland. Commenting, Fiona said; “EU Nationals in West Lothian should never have been asked to pay this fee in order to remain in their own homes and maintain the rights they already have. “I am pleased the…

Scottish Parliament Celebrates 20th Birthday Hyslop Calls out for Young People Turning 20 on July 1st  As the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh celebrates its 20th year, Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop, who is one of only 19 MSPs first elected in 1999, is calling on all young people in her constituency who turn 20 on July 1st 2019 to join the celebration. Fiona said; “Winnie Ewing’s famous words, ‘The Scottish Parliament, adjourned on 25th March 1707, is hereby reconvened’ officially opened the Scottish Parliament in 1999. “On July 1st 2019 the Scottish Parliament is celebrating its 20th birthday and we are looking for young people who turn 20 on the same day to come and join the festivities. “There are a number of events planned throughout 2019 at…

Hyslop Visits Emergency Department at St John’s Ahead of Expansion Fiona Hyslop, Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP has visited St John’s Hospital Emergency Department to hear more about their planned expansion and see round the premises. Fiona said, “I was delighted to visit St John’s Hospital, to meet staff and hear about NHS Lothian’s investment plans to expand the footprint of the Department to help treat the growing population of West Lothian. ‘’West Lothian’s population consists of a large proportion of elderly and young people, which brings an increased demand for services, not just in the numbers of patients requiring treatment but also in the dependency and complexity of care required. “The medical team stressed the importance of early intervention in avoiding the need for emergency treatment and their work in…

Hyslop Welcomes Finance Secretary’s £26m Funding for Winchburgh Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency welcomed the Economy Secretary Derek MacKay to the Winchburgh Development on Thursday (17th January) where he announced further funding for the new Development. Commenting after the visit Fiona said; “It was great to welcome Economy Secretary Derek Mackay and Sir Tom Hunter from West Coast Capital to Winchburgh to announce £26.8m loan from the Building Scotland Fund for the new Winchburgh Development. “This extra funding along with the £50m from the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal will see over 3000 houses, new schools, a canal marina, new rail station, a public park, a new town centre and will offer a number of economic development opportunities. “The vision, co-operation and patience from Winchburgh…

            Hyslop Hails Powerful Performances in new Mary Queen of Scots Film Last night (Monday 15th January) Fiona Hyslop MSP attended the premiere of the new Mary Queen of Scots Film, featuring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie, at the Cameo Cinema in Edinburgh and met the cast and crew at a reception at Edinburgh Castle. Commenting Fiona said; “I was delighted to attend the premiere of the new Mary Queen of Scots film in my capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs. “This is a great opportunity for both our national screen and tourism industries and it is also a fantastic opportunity for West Lothian as Mary Queen of Scots was born in Linlithgow. “Saoirse Ronan’s stunning performance as Mary Queen of…