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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.…

Hyslop Pays Tribute to Volunteers in West Lothian in Volunteers Week Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has paid tribute to volunteers who are helping the NHS and local communities in West Lothian. Volunteers’ Week which runs from June 1st – 7th (this week) is an annual celebration of the contribution and work of millions of volunteers who give up their time to help others. Fiona commented, “During this pandemic, volunteers have signed up to help in record numbers through the Scotland Cares initiative – over 53,000 nationwide in one month – joining the thousands of people who were already helping, either with one of Scotland’s many voluntary and community sector groups or informally with neighbours. Volunteers’ Week gives us a chance to celebrate the contributions of volunteers who have made…

Hyslop Highlights What to Expect from an NHS Tracer Contact Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has highlighted what you can expect if you are called by an NHS Tracer as part of the Scottish Government’s Test and Protect Strategy. Fiona said, “I understand that people may be worried about the risks of potential phone scams, but the NHS already has a number of protections in place to stop potential fraudsters and ensure all information is kept confidential. “Contact tracers will introduce themselves, state the reason for their call, and will always identify who they are calling by name. They will not ask for information about bank accounts or medical records, and they will not try to sell you anything. “The tracers will be supported by software which builds on a…

 Hyslop Welcomes £1.629m Funding for West Lothian Social Care Covid Costs Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed an initial £1.629m funding to help the social care sector in West Lothian deal with the financial implications of coronavirus. The funding was confirmed by the Scottish Government as part of a £50 million package for the sector across the country. Health and Social Care Partnerships across Scotland have all put in place mobilisation plans to ensure the health and social care system is as well placed as possible to address the Covid-19 pandemic. Fiona said, “This is welcome funding that will help address immediate challenges faced in the social care sector and support ongoing provision of social care. “The social care sector is at the frontline of the…

Hyslop Welcomes Extra Payment for 2,840 Carers Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has praised the work undertaken by carers during the Covid 19 Pandemic and welcomes the news that 2,840 carers across West Lothian are due to benefit from a one off payment during this health crisis. The Scottish Government has revealed plans to invest £19.2million to provide further support to Scottish carers during the Covid-19 crisis. If approved by parliament, around 83,000 eligible carers across Scotland will get an extra £230.10 through a special one-off Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement in June. Fiona commented, “Our Carers in West Lothian make an absolutely vital contribution to our society, and it’s only appropriate that their hard work is valued and they are properly supported by the Scottish Government. “This one-off payment…

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…