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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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
Read More
23Jun 2025 by admin

Local MSP Highlights Positive Destinations for West Lothian School Leavers

Uncategorized
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
09Jun 2025 by admin

Local MSP Welcomes £22 Million Funding Boost to Cut Wait Times in NHS Lothian

News, News in Lothian
Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of £22 million of targeted funding to reduce waiting times in NHS Lothian, as part of a £106 million investment in NHS Scotland. This funding, from the Scottish Government, will focus on the longest waits for essential procedures and appointments and includes; £25 million for orthopaedics, £21 million for imaging services, £14 million for cancer treatment and £12 million for ophthalmology. Commenting Fiona said: “The Scottish Government recognise that supporting our NHS is a key priority for people across West Lothian and this is clear from this £106 million funding boost to NHS services across Scotland. “Across NHS Lothian, there will be an investment of over £22 million which will be key in reducing waiting times…
Read More
09Jun 2025 by admin

Local MSP Celebrates Women in Rail

Uncategorized
Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency attends the Women in Rail Scotland event marking 200 years of the modern railway and the 20th anniversary of Women in Transport. In her role as Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona gave the keynote speech at the Women in Rail Scotland – Inspiring Leadership event held in the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Thursday 5th June. Commenting Fiona said: “I was pleased to attend and give the keynote speech at the Women in Rail Scotland – Inspiring Leadership Event. “With two major train lines running through my Constituency, many of my Constituents work in this sector and I was pleased to have this opportunity to celebrate the women within the Scottish Transport Sector. “At this event we also heard a panel discussion featuring…
Read More
03Jun 2025 by admin

Press Comment from Fiona Hyslop MSP on Winchburgh Train Station:

News, News in Lothian
“It is good to see progress being reported on Winchburgh Rail Station from the Stakeholder Group which I helped to set up at the local MSP. “A route to additional funding has been identified, as I suggested, through the City Region Deal and design and location plans are ready to be submitted for planning permission. “This has been possible due to constructive co-operation between Winchburgh Developers Ltd and Network Rail and this news is an important step forward. “There is still more to do to deliver the Winchburgh Rail Station, and I look forward to meeting Winchburgh Developers later in June.” ENDS Notes Joint Statement: Progress Continues on Winchburgh Rail Station A meeting of the Winchburgh Station Steering Group, involving West Lothian Council, Winchburgh Developments Ltd, Transport Scotland, ScotRail and…
Read More