Category: News in Lothian

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, is the Deputy Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. During an evidence session with the Transport Minister, Jenny Gilruth MSP on Tuesday 28th February Ms Hyslop raised the issue of bus connectivity in West Lothian directly with the Minister. Speaking after the session, Fiona commented: “I welcome the Scottish Government’s Free Bus Pass for Under 22’s scheme and recognise the incredible benefits of this scheme for our young people but West Lothian has one of the lowest rates of uptake of the scheme. “This may be due to better promotion and simpler schemes to apply by other Councils elsewhere but as my Constituency in West Lothian has many semi-rural communities with poor bus links across the County…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has highlighted the various unique towns in her Constituency, highlighting the uniqueness of our local towns and communities and the importance of ensuring they can thrive. The debate was brought to Parliament by the Economy and Fair Work Committee, which Fiona is a member of, following their major Inquiry into Town Centres and Retail in Scotland. Fiona said, “We have unique and very distinct towns in West Lothian in my Constituency all of whom need their own Town Action Plan led by their local communities and I was pleased to highlight them in the Economy and Fair Work Committee’s debate on Wednesday (28th Feb) to highlight the importance of local towns across Scotland and those in my own Constituency. “My Constituency has…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has sponsored an event at the Scottish Parliament marking the 40th Anniversary of Business in the Community, the largest and longest established membership organisation dedicated to responsible business in the UK. The event also celebrated their work in creating fair, green and sustainable environments to work. The Reception at Holyrood included stalls with showcased the organisations Fair Work and Inclusivity programmes and there were around a hundred representatives from different businesses and communities from across the country in attendance. Following the event, Fiona commented, “Bringing together business and the communities in which they serve is key to building on our social and economic strengths. “As a member of the Economy and Fair Work Committee and the Deputy Convener of the Net Zero,…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, spoke in the Scottish Government’s Debate: Marking One Year of War Against Ukraine, on Thursday 23rd February. During the debate Ms Hyslop reflected on the war and echoed calls for a Special International Tribunal to prosecute Russian leadership for crimes committed since the Russian invasion began on 24th February 2022. Speaking after the debate Fiona said: “As we mark the first anniversary of the illegal Russian invasion of the internationally recognised sovereign territory of Ukraine, we must all take this opportunity to recommit our support to the people of Ukraine. “Russia’s war against Ukraine is an assault not only on the people of Ukraine but of their culture and history. As the war continues, we see more attacks on Ukrainian cultural objects…

Following the First Minister’s announcement, on 15th February, Fiona said: “I have known and worked with Nicola for many years having first met her when she was a politically talented 16 year old and have been proud to watch her lead Scotland as First Minister through the toughest of times. She had led our nation further down the path to Independence and her legacy is huge and one we will continue to build on, not least by securing Independence for Scotland. “Nicola Sturgeon has served the people of Scotland with distinction. As the first female First Minister, she has also been the longest incumbent in this office, both of which we must recognise as achievements in themselves. Her empathy, warmth, humility and sheer appetite for hard work and resilience has…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, sponsored a panel discussion with Stop Climate Chaos Scotland in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 8th February. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland are an umbrella group who bring together many civic organisations in Scotland to mobilise action on climate change. The event focused on climate change policy and the opportunities for action in 2023. The issues covered included reflection on COP27 and its outcomes and the development of Scotland’s Climate Change Plan. The event, which was well attended by MSPs and industry stakeholders also featured speeches from Nafkote Dabi of Oxfam International and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Chair, Mike Robinson. Commenting after the event Fiona said: “I was pleased to sponsor this event which provided an opportunity for MSPs and climate change organisations…

Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop, has visited the site for the new West Lothian Cycle Circuit at Kettle’stoun Mains in Linlithgow. Fiona met former Chair of the Linlithgow Development Trust, Fraser Falconer, the Trust’s current Chair, Carole Racionzer and Trustee Matthew Ball for a walk round the now tarmacked 1km track that will become West Lothian’s Cycle Circuit. Fiona commented, “It was very exciting to visit the West Lothian Cycle Circuit site in Linlithgow to see how works are progressing on the 1km long circuit, ahead of their official opening. “The sheer size of the track with 4 loops is very impressive with and will be suitable for beginners and professionals alike. The Trust are planning to have slots allocated to local cycling groups, to families and first-time…

Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has welcomed new measures to ensure that teacher and pupil support staff numbers as well as school hours are protected, as announced in Parliament today (Tues 7th Feb) by Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville. Since 2017/18 local authorities have received funding to protect the pupil-teacher ratio, teacher numbers and to provide places for all probationers who need one. Additional annual funding of £145.5 million is also being provided to maintain increased teacher numbers and support staff in the year ahead (2023/24). If this is not delivered by a local authority, the Scottish Government will withhold or recoup funding allocated for these purposes. Fiona commented, “I welcome the statement to Parliament today from the Education Secretary which outline the Scottish Government’s commitment to closing the…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has written to West Lothian Council following the release of Scottish Government figures showing a decline in teacher numbers across Scotland in 2022. Although West Lothian’s numbers have increased, the Local Authority were expected to have recruited far more from their £5.526m share of Scottish Government Funding of £145m nationally for this purpose. Despite local Councils receiving an additional £145m in financial year 2022/23 from the Scottish Government to employ additional teachers as part of the recovery there has been a reduction of 92 Full Time Equivalent teachers employed across Scotland. Fiona commented, “Figures show that teacher numbers in West Lothian have only increased by 29 full time equivalents in 2022, which is concerning  as West Lothian Council received over £5m funding…

Fiona Hyslop, Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency and Deputy Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, has commented on the Committee’s Major Report released this week into the role of Local Government and its Partners in Delivering a Net Zero Scotland. The Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee launched this Inquiry in November 2021, just after the close of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change ("COP26") in Glasgow. At COP26, world leaders also agreed that there was a need for local solutions to a global crisis. The year long Inquiry highlighted the importance of an empowered Local Government Sector if it is to reach Net Zero by 2045.  Fiona commented, “It is clear that Councils will be crucial to Scotland delivering our Climate Change…