Category: News

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…

“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

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…

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…

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…

“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…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed new figures showing the success of the Scottish Government’s Carer Support Payment, with more than £3 million paid out in West Lothian. The Carer Support Payment replaces Carer’s Allowance and has been vital in supporting carers across Scotland since it was piloted in November 2023. Commenting Fiona said: “Ensuring that Carers across West Lothian receive the care they need is a key priority of the Scottish Government and I am pleased to see over £3 million has been paid out to Carers across the county since the introduction of the Carer Support Payment. “This payment is a lifeline for people across West Lothian who care for loved ones every day. “Carers make an incredible contribution to their community, and I…

Local MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, congratulates Whitburn Brass Band, following their involvement in ‘Keli’ from the National Theatre of Scotland. Keli follows the story of a seventeen-year-old girl from a former mining town and is set to a live brass score, performed by Whitburn Brass Band. Commenting Fiona said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the performance of Keli from National Theatre of Scotland, and I am especially proud of Whitburn Brass Band for their involvement in providing a live brass score. “It was a pleasure to speak with a representative of Whitburn Brass Band, who worked alongside the talented composer, Martin Green, sharing their musical brilliance and bringing brass band music to a new audience. “Keli follows the story of a young girl from a former mining town, and it…

Fiona Hyslop MSP, for the Linlithgow Constituency, commemorates VE Day and the lives lost throughout World War Two Fiona Hyslop MSP attended the ASA Scotland VE DAY 80th Commemoration in March, where a local war hero, Walter Lumsden DCM, MM & Bar, from Bathgate was remembered.  This year marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, which took place on 8 May 1945, and remembers the 380,000 UK Armed Forces personnel, including 57,000 Scots, and over 67,000 civilians who lost their lives during the conflict. Fiona commented: "VE Day is about coming together to celebrate the 80 years of peace since the ending of World War Two, and to remember the lives lost, both of Armed Forces and civilians, during the war." ENDS

Local MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the SNP's Programme for Government, which will permanently scrap peak rail fares from September. From 1st September 2025, peak ScotRail fares will be permanently abolished, encouraging more people to choose train travel and helping with Cost-of-Living pressures. Commenting Fiona said: "I am pleased that the SNP Government's Programme for Government will permanently remove peak rail fares from September. "As the Minister who launched the ScotRail Peak Fares Removal Pilot in October 2023, which successfully saved commuters in West Lothian hundreds of pounds, I am pleased to see that peak fares will now be permanently removed. "The removal of peak fares will benefit many of my Constituents in West Lothian, who commute to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling, making rail travel more affordable,…