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Fiona Hyslop, SNP MSP Lothians, has welcomed the announcement that the Scottish Government has provided funding to support the Keep Scotland Beautiful annual National Spring Clean Campaign, which takes place throughout the month of April. Already, 6 clean up events have been organised across Linlithgow and registered on the campaign website [1]. Anyone who registers a Clean-Up event on the campaign website will be sent a free clean-up pack including tabards, posters, stickers and bin bags. Commenting, Ms Hyslop said: “The National Spring Clean campaign is a way for everyone to get involved in keeping their local area clean and tidy, and showing a sense of community pride. “It’s also good exercise and there’s a real sense of achievement looking round at litter-free streets and parks. “I would encourage the…

SNP MSP for Lothians, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news announced at the SNP Conference in Aviemore this weekend that this autumn shall see the start of Universal Health Checks for those aged 40 – 74 in West Lothian. Commenting, Ms Hyslop said: “This is great news for the people of West Lothian as it will help to identify heart disease, diabetes and signs of a stroke at a much earlier stage. “I am confident that wherever the pilot services take place it will show positive steps towards creating a healthier region and a healthier Scotland. “This health check is universal and will benefit everyone in West Lothian between the ages of 40 and 74 and I strongly urge my constituents to take advantage of this scheme when it comes…

Fiona Hyslop MSP has welcomed the news that 5,357 small businesses across West Lothian can benefit from as much as £4000 under the enhanced Small Business Bonus Scheme. Under the new, expanded scheme that comes into affect on the 1st of April 2010: Businesses with a rateable value of £10,000 or less will have their business rates ABOLISHED. Businesses with a rateable value between £10,000 and £12,000 will have business rates HALVED. Businesses with a rateable value between £12,000 and £18,000 will have their business rates REDUCED BY A QUARTER. Businesses with small chains of properties with a cumulative rateable value under £25,000 will have their business rates REDUCED BY A QUARTER. Ms Hyslop commented: “I am delighted that this worthy scheme has been extended to benefit small businesses in…

SNP MSP Fiona Hyslop has today visited the site where the new Airdrie – Bathgate Rail Link is to be built. The first piece of track was laid this afternoon in Bathgate. Ms Hyslop met with Network Rail Director, Scotland, Ron McAuley and was given a short tour of the site before witnessing the track being laid. Commenting after the visit, Ms Hyslop said: “It is fantastic to see the first track being laid on the Airdrie – Bathgate Line. “This line will open up the heart of Scotland with benefits to constituents and allow easier access to jobs across the central belt. It will also provide opportunity for a housing boom in Armadale and Blackridge in particular. “I am pleased to see the line is progressing and I look…

Fiona Hyslop MSP for Lothians will be attending a fashion show in Linlithgow this Friday (26th February) to show her support for Fairtrade Fortnight. (22nd Feb – 7th March) The fashion show has been organised by the Linlithgow Fairtrade Partnership and will feature jewellery, drama, accessories and beauty products. Pupils from local schools will also be modelling the ethical clothing on the catwalk. Commenting Ms Hyslop said: “I believe it is very important to support our local Fairtrade organisations and events. “Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, ensuring fairer prices and better working conditions. “I am very keen to help promote the Linlithgow Fairtrade Partnership and am pleased to see that so many community groups and workplaces are working to help make Scotland a Fair Trade Nation.

SNP MSP for Lothians has lent her support to Scottish Tourism Week 2010. From the 1st to 8th March, a series of events will be hosted in Edinburgh and the Lothians, aimed at raising awareness of tourism’s contribution to Scotland’s economy [1]. Scottish Tourism Week brings together the private, public and elected sector with a shared positive agenda, to remove barriers and create opportunities together to meet the economic battles that lie ahead. Speaking prior to the Scottish Tourism Week 2010 launch, Ms Hyslop said: "I believe it is essential that we support the tourism industry as it is vitally important not just for the economy, but also in advertising Scotland and Scottish values. "I am delighted to lend my support to Scottish Tourism Week as I am confident that…

SNP MSP for Lothians, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the First Minister’s launch of the public consultation on draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill and is urging the people of West Lothian to vote in favour of Scotland’s constitutional future. Plans to give the people of Scotland their say on the nation's future – including enhanced devolution, and extending the powers of the Parliament to enable independence to be achieved – were unveiled today with the publication of a draft Referendum Bill.[1] Commenting, Ms Hyslop said: “I believe that every Scot has right to have their say on the future of Scotland and the powers we hold. “A People's Parliament should never seek to shut the people out, but to engage and involve them in every important decision that is made. “I understand…

Fiona Hyslop MSP for Lothians today welcomed the result of the Scottish Parliamentary vote on the Scottish budget as a huge victory for the people of Scotland and especially for West Lothian as it secured funding to give West Lothian Council the means to freeze council tax for the third year in a row, saving £141 per family. The budget has also secured £2 million funding to support a boiler scrappage scheme on top of the £60 million which has already been invested in the Energy Assistance Package to tackle fuel poverty in Scotland. Welcoming the budget, Ms Hyslop said: "In these tough times this is good news for the people of West Lothian. With many people facing Labour's recession, this £141 is a saving that will help people in…

At a briefing session for MSPs at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, Fiona Hyslop MSP for Lothians has said she will be dressed in red on Thursday (4th Feb) to highlight her support for the people of Haiti. Jerry McLaughlin, chair of the Disasters Emergency Committee, Adil Husseini, Islamic Relief Worker and Judith Robertson from Oxfam also spoke at the meeting. After the meeting, Ms Hyslop said: “The aftermath of the Haiti Earthquake has been truly devastating and we have all seen the scale of this disaster. “However the situation on the ground in Port-au-Prince is improving and it is important to recognise the continuing support that the people of West Lothian and Scotland as a whole have provided for those in need in Haiti. “Nationally, we have donated over…

Fiona Hyslop has written to the winners of the West Lothian Courier’s ‘Big Freeze Heroes’ Competition to congratulate their efforts during our worst winter since 1963. Ms Hyslop said: “Living in Linlithgow, I know the level of sustained snowfall over the festive period presented challenges to us all. “I was pleased to see that there were so many residents helping out their neighbours and would like to pay tribute to the many unsung heroes who did their best to keep roads and vital routes clear and safe for the people across West Lothian. “I have written to the winner of the Courier’s competition to offer my personal thanks for the kindness and consideration they have shown towards their community.”