Category: Education News

Hyslop Backs NHS Protection Bill from US Trade Deals Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop supports the Bill being brought to Westminster by the SNP today (Wednesday 5th Feb) that will protect Scotland’s NHS from privatization and protect it from increased drug fees as a result of UK Trade deals. The SNP’s Bill brought forward by Glenrothes MP Peter Grant aims to prevent future UK Governments from signing up to trade agreements that could threaten the foundations of the health service. It would also give the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish Parliaments and Assemblies a final say over whether trade deals impact on their NHS. The proposal was a key pledge in the SNP’s manifesto in the recent General Election, which saw the party win overwhelmingly in Scotland. Fiona commented,…

Hyslop Welcomes £50,000 Call Blocking for Nuisance Calls Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the Scottish Government’s new £50,000 fund that will install call-blocking technology for those most at risk from nuisance calls across West Lothian. The fund forms a key part of the SNP Scottish Government’s Nuisance Calls Action Plan, which will raise awareness of the issue of scam and nuisance calls and empower people to protect themselves from scams. Stats have shown that Scotland is disproportionately affected by nuisance calls. Fiona commented; “This new £50,000 fund is welcome news for people across West Lothian who regularly have to deal with nuisance calls. I am aware of a number of cases through my role as an MSP where telephone scams have left often elderly and vulnerable people out…

200 Job Seekers Attend Bathgate Employment Fayre An Employment Fayre hosted by Fiona Hyslop MSP at the Regal Theatre in Bathgate on Friday (8th September) saw almost 200 local people visit the stalls, meet local and national companies and organisations. Fiona said: “We had a very successful Employment Fayre in Bathgate on Friday and I would like to thank everyone who came along to the event. “A number of school pupils from across West Lothian attended to speak to different organisations about job and apprentice opportunities. We also met a number of people who were looking for a career change and those who were looking for work following a long period of absence. “It was also great to have Skills Development Scotland at the event for people to discuss their…

Hyslop Welcomes Climate Change Figures Showing 2020 Targets Achieved Early Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed news that Scotland has exceeded its world leading climate change targets – six years early. Fiona commented; “Scotland is making outstanding progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These statistics show that we not only met the annual 2014 emissions reduction target but also exceeded the level of our world-leading 2020 target for a 42% reduction, six years ahead of schedule. “I am well aware of the efforts my constituents and organisations like Transition Linlithgow make to tackle Climate Change at home, in school and in our local businesses, and so it’s great to see the impact this is having nationally. “I spoke about Scotland’s dedication to tackling Climate Change in a debate on…

Keith Brown MSP Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment & Cities St. Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG Wednesday, 2nd March 2016 Dear Keith, I write to you on behalf of my many constituents affected by the devastating floods in the Wester Inch community of Bathgate over the past week to seek your assurances that the Scottish Government will lend their full support in ensuring the immediate safety of residents and assist in the longer term recovery. You will be aware that during the morning of 24 February a major water pipe ruptured severely flooding Meikle Inch Lane. Following an emergency repair only 4 days later at night on Saturday 27 February the same pipeline ruptured at another point causing the same area to be again flooded. This is the…

Hyslop Welcomes £160m to Help First Time Buyers in West Lothian Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow has welcomed the announcement that the Scottish Government will invest more than £160 million in 2016-17 on schemes that will help people across West Lothian buy their first home. Commenting, Fiona said; “I am delighted that the Scottish government will continue to help people in West Lothian purchase their first home with £160 million of funding across Scotland this year.This funding will be targeted at people on low incomes and will be vital for young people and their families looking to get on and up the housing ladder. “These schemes don’t just boost homeownership but boost house building – creating jobs and supporting economic growth. “Applications for the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme open…

Fiona Welcomes Trial of People Power for Budget Setting in West Lothian Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop today welcomed a Scottish Government initiative giving residents in West Lothian direct control over aspects of council budgets. West Lothian Council is one of thirteen local authorities to benefit from a £500,000 funding boost designed to trial participatory budgeting – receiving an investment of £1,125. Commenting, Fiona said; “In these times of unprecedented political engagement in Scotland, participatory budgeting offers communities the chance to have a direct say in how councils spend their money. “This funding will support initiatives to give local people the opportunity to address the issues that are important to their communities. “Participatory budgeting has been used in other countries and the impact can be transformational. I hope that this…

Hyslop Unveils Wojtek the Bear Memorial Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop spoke at the unveiling of a memorial to mark the work of Wojtek the Polish Soldier Bear in her capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs. The event that was organised by the Wojtek Memorial Trust took place on Saturday (7th Nov). Wojtek - dubbed the "Soldier Bear" - was adopted by Polish troops and helped them carry ammunition at the Battle of Monte Cassino. After the war he lived in Scotland at Hutton in Berwickshire, before ending his days in Edinburgh Zoo. Commenting after the event, Fiona said; “Wojtek the soldier bear has come to symbolise our strong relationship with Poland and I’m delighted we now have a permanent memorial to Wojtek and his comrades…

Fiona Welcomes Treatment Centre Investment Announcement for St John’s Hospital Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the announcement made by the First Minister during her Keynote Speech at SNP Conference in Aberdeen this weekend (Saturday, 17th October) that St John’s Hospital in Livingston will receive a share of £200 million to build an elective treatment centre. Fiona commented; “I am delighted that St John’s Hospital in Livingston will receive a share of this investment which will see an elective centre built in Livingston. The centre will specialise in acute care for procedures such as hips, knees and cataracts and also to alleviate the pressure from the emergency wards. “This is a firm commitment from the First Minister to expand services at St John’s Hospital and as we in West…