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Hyslop Unveils Burgh Beautiful Statue Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has officially unveiled the statue of Dudley the Cat by sculptor David Annand commissioned by Linlithgow’s Burgh Beautiful. Dudley the Cat belonged to Liz Burrows, one of Burgh Beautiful’s founding members, who left a very generous legacy to Burgh Beautiful in her will. The money she left has been spent on worthwhile projects, including the introduction of an electricity supply at the Burgh Beautiful base and contributions towards new floral planters and new paving at Clarendon. The statue is the final contribution to Burgh Beautiful from Liz’s will and pays homage to her support for the local organisation. It will be sited next to the Linlithgow Canal Basin as Liz Burrows was also an active member of the Linlithgow Union…

Hyslop Welcomes Carer Allowance Supplement for 2,545 in West Lothian Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that carers in West Lothian will receive the first payments of the new Carer’s Allowance Supplement from mid-September, back-dated to April.   This new benefit will be paid twice a year by Social Security Scotland, the first major new public service to be created since devolution.  Eligible carers will get a supplementary payment of £221, equivalent of an extra £8.50 per week, an increase of 13% on Carer’s Allowance from the Department of Work and Pensions. Carers will receive letters from Social Security Scotland from week beginning 10 September so that they know in advance to expect a payment. Fiona commented: “The Carer’s Allowance Supplement is worth more than £30 million a…

Hyslop Welcomes National Defibrillator Network Local Constituency MSP has welcomed the announcement of a new National Defibrillator Network and is encouraging constituents to engage with the British Heart Foundation and help with mapping where in West Lothian defibrillator machines can be found and accessed. Fiona Commented; “The announcement of a new National Defibrillator Network is an important step towards ensuring ambulance services have access to this life saving machine and can direct a member of the public to where it is in the event of an emergency. “I am aware that here is already a defibrillator inside a phone box at the cross in Whitburn, as many local residents may also be aware. However, there will be many, many more in each of our towns and villages and so I…

Hyslop Comments on significant drop in Crime in West Lothian Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the latest figures which show a fall in the use of offensive weapons and vandalism in West Lothian in the last decade. In 2007/08, there were 11 cases of handling offensive weapons per 10,000 of the population in West Lothian, which has fallen to 7 by 2016/17, a drop of 36%. Similarly, there were 242 instances of vandalism per 10,000 in West Lothian which fell to 91 by 2016/17, dropping by 62%. Fiona commented: “I welcome these figures which show a reduction in both vandalism and use of offensive weapons in West Lothian. “The SNP Government has made justice one of its top priorities since coming to power in 2007 – putting more…

Hyslop Welcomes Post Office Services returned to Westfield Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, which covers Westfield, has welcomed the restoration of post office services at Westfield primary school. Fiona said; “I am pleased that Royal Mail have restored post office services to customers in Westfield by hosting an Outreach Service at the local Primary School, following the temporary closure of the post office last summer. “While the post office service will only be open during school term time, this is good news for the local village who would previously had to travel to Armadale to access services.” The new outreach service will re-open in August.   ENDS Editor’s Note: The primary school and postal services outreach is located at Lomond View, Westfield, Bathgate, EH48 3DE The branch closed…

Commenting on St John's Hospital Children's Ward Fiona Hyslop said; “It is highly significant that one of the first things the new Health Secretary, Jeanne Freeman, did in her new role was to write to NHS Lothian instructing that they provide a progress report on work to reinstate St John’s Children’s Ward as a 24/7 site, as part of recommended implementations of the RCPCH Report, which she copied to me personally as the local constituency MSP. “Everyone, including the Board, has stated their commitment to the implementing the recommendations of the RCPCH Report and although progress is being made, efforts from NHS Lothian must be re-doubled. With the UK Government finally revising and relaxing the visa scheme for international doctors this may also assist with the ongoing recruitment process. “The…

Hyslop Completes 13 Surgeries in 3 Days Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has thanked constituents who attended her Summer Surgery Tour of 13 surgeries over three days earlier this week. (June 9th – 11th) The tour included all the smaller villages throughout her constituency, and ran from Monday morning until Wednesday afternoon.    Fiona said; “The tour has been a great success and a great opportunity to meet people at the surgery venues and listen to the concerns of my constituents. “My Linlithgow Constituency has 5 major towns which is where I normally hold surgeries on a regular basis, but as much of the constituency is semi-rural, it was important to hold surgeries in the smaller villages as well and we had volunteers leaflet the villages in advance to invite…

Hyslop Awards Trophies to Team United Players Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has visited Team United, a football initiative working with children with autism in Broxburn to award young players with trophies for their achievements in overcoming the challenges they face through sport. Fiona also awarded Players of the Year Awards to Lennon Williamson from West Lothian and Murphy Freeman from East Lothian. Team United Sports is a charity that works to support young people with autism overcome social barriers they often face when taking part in sport and physical activity, particularly team sports. Speaking after the event, Fiona said; “The volunteers at Team United have produced a fantastic day for the young people involved. I was delighted to present the players with their Awards and give special recognition to…

Hyslop Undertakes Summer Surgery Tour Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop is undertaking a Summer Surgery Tour having organised 13 surgeries over three days next week. (Monday 9th – Wednesday 11th July). The tour includes many of the smaller villages in West Lothian.   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 this surgery tour, I can meet as many of my constituents as possible at a venue that is convenient to them. “There is no need to make an appointment and constituents will be seen on a first come, first seen basis, however if you can’t make any of the surgeries bit…