Category: News

Fiona raises a cup to help people with cancer live life as fully as they can Local MSP Fiona Hyslop joined Macmillan this week to raise a cup to the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. Fiona joined Janice Preston, Macmillan Head of Services in Scotland for the charity’s flagship fundraising campaign which aims to raise millions to help people with cancer live life as fully as they can. Fiona said; “Being told you have cancer can affect so much more than your health. Macmillan have over 100 years’ experience in supporting people through their cancer diagnosis. “Macmillan coffee mornings are a great way to raise awareness of the charity and help they offer and to raise much needed funds to support them. West Lothian has a great track record of hosting…

Hyslop Welcomes Business Bonus Figures Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the latest figures which show that 2,572 businesses in West Lothian are benefiting from the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus which means that they do not have to pay business rates. Fiona said, “Small businesses form the heart of our community. The Scottish Government’s small businesses bonus means that there are now 2,572 businesses in West Lothian who do not pay business rates at all and since 2009-10 West Lothian businesses have benefitted from £135m business rate relief. “The small business bonus has kept small businesses on our high streets open and allowed new businesses to set up and I am pleased to see so many businesses in West Lothian are taking advantage of that.” ENDS  

Hyslop Highlight’s Linlithgow Cycle Challenge Local Linlithgow MSP, Fiona Hyslop is highlighting Transition Linlithgow’s September Cycling Challenge to get more people active by cycling. Fiona said, “I am happy to support Transition Linlithgow’s Cycling Challenge campaign, where the aim isn’t about covering as many miles as possible, but to get as many people cycling in the town as possible. “Transition Linlithgow have a range of free services open to local residents to help encourage as many people to travel actively including a trial of an electric bike and free fuel efficient driver training. “Given the many benefits to our health and to the environment, and with the progress of the new cycle circuit in Linlithgow, which aims to encourage cycling in the community for people of all ages and abilities,…

Hyslop Welcomes Infrastructure Investment for West Lothian Fiona Hyslop, Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, has welcomed investment in infrastructure set out in the Scottish Governments Programme for Government, which will directly benefit West Lothian. Fiona said; “This investment for infrastructure is very welcome.  With two motorways, railway lines, a canal, a nearby airport and a number of cycle paths and walking paths, investment in infrastructure and connectivity is of great importance for those living in West Lothian. “Since 2007 the Scottish Government has invested almost £20 billion in transport infrastructure and services including the largest ever road investment programme the country has ever seen, including the Queensferry Crossing and the M8 improvements. This focus on infrastructure should help much needed improvements like the Avon Gorge Road (A801) in my constituency. “Our…

Hyslop Welcomes Programme for Government Benefits for West Lothian  Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government which will help contribute to a successful and vibrant West Lothian driving progress in health, social security, the environment and the economy. Fiona said; “The SNP’s plan for Scotland signals a major boost for jobs and the economy in West Lothian, including an additional £7 billion infrastructure investment in schools, hospitals, transport and digital connectivity over the next five years. “We are continuing the major reforms in our health, education and justice systems over the course of 2018-19 – with a significant £250 million extra funding for mental health services, increased support for teachers, head teachers, parents and pupils, as well as a major package of reforms for the justice system,…

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…