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Hyslop Calls on all MSPs to Support the Budget with increase in Funding for Colleges Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has challenged political opponents to back the Scottish Government’s draft budget that plans to increase spending on colleges by £18.3 million over the coming year. The proposal, set out in the Scottish Government’s draft budget plans for 2019/20, will take investment in Scotland’s colleges to over £606 million. MSPs will vote on the plans next month. Commenting, Fiona said; “This would be a substantial increase in funding for all our local colleges. “With spending on Scotland’s colleges set to rise by over £600 million, the Finance Secretary’s budget proposals for the year will come as great news for West Lothian College, Oatridge College and other institutions across the country. “I am…

Statement on Implications of UK Immigration White Paper by Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Thursday, 10th January 2019     The Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs (Fiona Hyslop): In the last week before Christmas, the United Kingdom Government published its long-delayed plans for the immigration system after the UK leaves the European Union. I will provide Parliament with an assessment of the impact that those retrograde proposals will have on Scotland, to build on the reaction that the First Minister outlined in Downing Street. It is sometimes difficult for politicians to make the positive case in support of immigration. It is undoubtedly true that concerns about immigration were an important driver of the vote to leave the EU in some parts of…

  Hyslop Welcomes Improved 38 Service for Constituents as 1000 Signature Petition Pays Off Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has welcomed the news that First Bus have revised their number 38 service following comments and concerns they received prior to their consultation with local authorities. The changes will be effective from January 28th 2019. Fiona said, “Over the summer I met with a number of Bridgend Residents who raised their concerns about the withdrawal of the number 38 bus through Bridgend. I have been in regular contact with First Bus since July pursing this issue and met them in September to raise local concerns and highlight the impact of losing the service. “I made a strong protest on behalf of the people of Bridgend to First Bus and…

Christmas and New Year Message December 2018 “As your MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, I am delighted to wish my constituents a Merry Christmas and all the very best for a happy New Year.   “The Festive break provides us all with an opportunity to reflect on the year gone by. In 2018 we saw the first ever European Championships, Scotland gaining its own Social Security Services and the go ahead for a new elective treatment centre at St John’s Hospital in Livingston. “I was pleased to host a 13 stop surgery tour in July visiting constituents in the smaller towns and villages across the constituency and I’ve been delighted to meet a number of local organisations, charities and businesses throughout the year. 2018 has also been the Year of…

Hyslop Welcomes new Support Scheme for EU Citizens Local Linlithgow MSP has welcomed the announcement that Europeans living in Scotland affected by immigration changes due to Brexit will be able to get support from a new GBP800,000 scheme. Changing rules coming into force in March next year will mean EU citizens and their family members will be required to apply to secure their rights through an online system. Consequently the Scottish Government is introducing a new service, through the Citizens Advice Bureau, to help EU nationals with their immigration status following the UK's expected withdrawal from the European Union. Fiona said, “We are a welcoming nation that deeply values the contribution of those who have chosen Scotland as their home. “This scheme will give all EU Citizens living in West…

Lewis and Emily Most Popular Names in West Lothian 2018 Speaking after the announcement of Scotland’s top 100 baby names, Local MSP Fiona Hyslop has commented on the results for West Lothian. “Despite Jack still being the number one boys name across Scotland, Lewis is now the number one boys name in West Lothian. Interestingly, Lewis is only in 5th place Scotland wide. “Emily is proving to be a popular girl’s name, coming top in West Lothian, but has lost out Olivia nationally. “It is always interesting to see what names are chosen by proud parents across West Lothian.” To see if your name made the top 100, visit the attached link: Top 100 names in Scotland: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files//statistics/babies-names/18/babies-first-names-18-pub.pdf Top names by local authority: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files//statistics/babies-names/18/babies-first-names-18-table3.pdf ENDS    

Hyslop Welcomes £57.2m Boost for NHS Lothian Local Linlithgow MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the announcement unveiled in the Scottish Government budget that health services across the Lothians will receive a £57.2m boost next year. The inflation busting increase will see NHS Lothian funding increase of 4.1% year on year. The budget saw SNP Finance Secretary Derek Mackay increase total health and care funding by £729m, putting the future of the health service at the centre of the Scottish Government’s financial plan. The Finance Secretary did however highlight the risk Brexit plays to this investment, with the potential for the Scottish Government to be forced to review the budget should the UK face a ‘No Deal’ scenario. Fiona said; “Our NHS is of great value and it is vital that…

Hyslop Highlights the Importance of War Memorial Signage Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has highlighted the importance of signage for our historical war memorial sites. In a debate in Parliament the Veteran’s Minister, Graeme Dey told the chamber in Holyrood that West Lothian Council have installed signage at the Korean War Memorial in the Bathgate Hills. Fiona said, “I am delighted that West Lothian Council has now installed the brown tourist signs on its road network directing tourists to the Korean War memorial. “I am also pleased that having directly communicated with the Veterans Minister, Mr Graeme Dey, on the importance of this, The Scottish Government has entered into discussions with Transport Scotland to task them with scoping a potential review of its signage policy as it pertains to war…

Fiona Thanks Christmas Royal Mail Posties Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has visited Royal Mail’s delivery office in Linlithgow to pass on Christmas wishes and thanks to the postmen and women at their busiest time of year. Fiona was shown round the offices and was introduced to the local postal workers who are working hard sorting and delivering cards and parcels in the West Lothian area in the run-up to Christmas. Fiona commented: “The dedicated and hard-working Royal Mail postmen and women at our local delivery offices in West Lothian do such an important job at this time of year and it is always great to meet them first-hand to see just how much effort they put into delivering for people at this time of year. “I’d like to thank…