Category: News in Lothian

Fiona Hyslop, MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, has lodged a motion in Parliament calling for a debate to highlight the importance of St Michael’s Hospital in Linlithgow and to ensure it is retained as a hospital facility. For a motion to be debated in Parliament as part of Member’s Business the motion must receive cross party support. In August 2021 the decision was taken by West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership to close St Michael’s temporarily using emergency powers, under pressure of short-term staff shortages across West Lothian. In June 2022, a report to the West Lothian Integration Joint Board contained two recommendations – that St Michael’s should remain closed, or a public consultation be held with all relevant parties to review future bed space requirements at St Michael’s.…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has raised over £500 – with donations still coming in - for Marie Curie at her Blooming Great Tea Party she held in Armadale on the 11th April. Fiona said, “I was very pleased to see so many local people at our Blooming Great Tea Party last week (11th April). Local Businesses, organisations and residents were pleased to come out in support of Marie Curie. “Marie Curie is an important charity that that supports those who are terminally ill and their families and I am delighted that we have raised over £500 – with donations still coming in - for them from our coffee morning. “I would like to thank all those who came along and so generously gave their time and…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has visited the Bridge 19-40 Union Canal Society at the Port Buchan Basin in Broxburn. Fiona met with the Chair and Secretary of the Society to hear more about their work and their future ambitions for the Society.  Fiona said, “It was a pleasure to meet with the 19-40 Canal Society in Broxburn. The canal is so important to our sense of place, heritage, environment and wellbeing and the society have a clear passion and drive for ensuring the Canal can be enjoyed by local people and visitors alike. “The Society are keen to ensure that they can offer more boat trips by securing a new passenger boat and they will be fundraising to do so. They are also keen to hear…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, will be holding a Blooming Great Tea Party to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care at the Methodist Church Hall in Armadale on Tuesday 11th April. Fiona said, “I am delighted to be holding a Blooming Great Tea Party in Armadale in my Constituency in support of Marie Curie. “Marie Curie is an important charity that that supports those who are terminally ill and their families and by supporting their Blooming Great Tea Party, we can raise funds and awareness of the fantastic job they do. “It is also an opportunity to meet Constituents and people from the community I so would encourage anyone who is free from 10.00-11.30am on Tuesday, 11th April to come along and help raise funds for…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, visited the Armadale Resource Centre at 59 A South Street where she donated her own Mother of the Bride dress to their growing ‘Occasion Wear’ department.  Fiona visited the Armadale Resource Centre to hear more about the work they do, which includes food distribution, community outreach with music classes for children and baby and toddler groups, sewing and crafts and horticulture, income advice and running a furniture and clothing charity shop on the premises, and to donate her own Mother of the Bride dress to the Occasion Wear department in the shop.  The Armadale shop opened in October 2022. It provides ‘Occasion Wear’ at very affordable prices for typically expensive events such as weddings and proms, allowing women who want to dress…

Local Constituency MSP and Member of the Economy and Fair Work Committee, Fiona Hyslop, has visited INEOS in Grangemouth to hear more about the company’s work on a just transition for the community, businesses and workers in Grangemouth.   The Committee is investigating how the area can best be supported through this transition, and heard what INEOS is doing to engage with its work force and wider community to share in the opportunities offered by the journey to Net Zero. The Committee plan to publish its findings later in the year. Following the visit, Fiona commented, “A significant number of my Constituents, across West Lothian, work at INEOS in Grangemouth and so it was important to see round the plant and to understand what the business is doing in the drive to…

Fiona Hyslop, local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, has raised her serious concerns over the recent statement released by Unison stating that the Lothian’s Integrated Joint Board – who receive funding from West Lothian Council and the NHS  are proposing the ‘outsourcing’ of services to the voluntary and private sector impacting on residential care of older people and care at home for the older and disabled people. The proposed funding cuts could also mean job losses in Housing with Care and Admin support, a reduction in the number of Occupational Therapists and Social Workers and a reduction in the number of residential care placements for adults with a learning disability. Unison have also stated that the proposals will impact predominantly on approximately 500 low paid, mainly part-time female Council workers…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of £4.3 million for the Climate Action Hub Programme. This funding will bring the programme to 20 communities across the country and seeks to take a place-based approach to Scotland’s journey to Net Zero, putting local communities at the heart of the transition. Fiona welcomed this announcement while speaking in a Scottish Parliament debate on Tuesday 14th March. Fiona closed the debate on behalf of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee in her role as Deputy Convener. Speaking after the debate Fiona said: “Councils and communities can drive change in their local communities, and I welcome the Scottish Government’s announcement of £4.3 million for the Climate Action Hub programme. This funding will bring the programme…

The Scottish Government are now delivering 13 benefits through Social Security Scotland, 7 of which are only available in Scotland. Payments are now underway for the Winter Heating Payment which will provide around 400,000 low-income households with a reliable £50 payment to help with their heating costs. Commenting Fiona said: “I welcome the news that the Scottish Governments Winter Heating Payment will provide support for around 400,000 low-income households. “This payment will provide much needed support for households in my Constituency and across Scotland as we continue to deal with the energy price crisis. The Winter Heating Payment will provide guaranteed financial support no matter the weather and is a payment that people across Scotland can rely on. “The Scottish Government are also now providing 13 benefits through Social Security…

94.5% of West Lothian Young People Head to Work of Further Education Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has welcomed recent Scottish Government figures showing that last year 94.5% of all school leavers across West Lothian are able to go into work, training or further education. Last year saw the highest number of young people across Scotland in work, education or further training after leaving school since records began. Fiona commented, “These are very welcome, record-breaking figures and I am pleased that 2,067 young people across West Lothian are able to further their study, training or enter employment. “As well as showing a further reduction in overall attainment gap across Scotland, these figures are also testament to the dedication of local teachers, parents and of course, the young people…