Category: News in Lothian

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency Fiona Hyslop, met with Declan Harrigan, CEO of S.M.I.L.E Counselling & Training at her Whitburn Office on 28th July. S.M.I.L.E Counselling provides training for both professionals and members of the community, and supports 11-24-year olds across West Lothian by providing a range of services including: face-to-face counselling services, one-to-one phone calls, email and online chat services. Over the last seven years S.M.I.L.E have supported 1,000 young people in West Lothian with 7,000 one-to-one counselling sessions offered. Commenting after the meeting Fiona said: “I was pleased to meet Declan and personally extend my congratulations to him, and the team at S.M.I.L.E, on their recent Charity of the Year Award which they won at the Scottish Charity of the Year Awards. “I was also proud to…

Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, visited the Brock Garden, Wood and Craft Centre at the Strathbrock Partnership Centre in Broxburn in Fiona’s Linlithgow Constituency this week.The Brock, located at the back of the Strathbrock Partnership Centre, is an independent charity and social enterprise that supports people in West Lothian with chronic mental illnesses. Fiona met with Chair of the Brock’s Board, John McLean, and service users at the Centre, and learned more about the invaluable work they do. Service users can participate in therapeutic horticulture, woodwork, and craft activities such as textile, clay and paper crafts, and spend time with others who have similar interests, encouraging social inclusion. The Brock also organise outings and develop community projects – a recent project involved upgrading the borders at the front of…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has voted in favour of the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill at Stage 3 when it was debated in the Scottish Parliament on June 29th. The new legislation will introduce mandatory safety training for people who wish to purchase and use fireworks. It also introduces powers for local authorities to introduce designated firework control zones, restrictions of the supply and use of fireworks and a new offence to criminalise the supply of fireworks to under-18s. Fiona has previously met with local Constituency group, Blackburn Bonfire Night Action Group (BBNAG) who provided evidence to the Criminal Justice Committee in relation to their innovative approach to tackling the misuse of fireworks when the committee visited Blackburn earlier in the year. Commenting Fiona said;…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has voted in favour of the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill at Stage 3 when it was debated in the Scottish Parliament on June 29th. The new legislation will introduce mandatory safety training for people who wish to purchase and use fireworks. It also introduces powers for local authorities to introduce designated firework control zones, restrictions of the supply and use of fireworks and a new offence to criminalise the supply of fireworks to under-18s. Fiona has previously met with local Constituency group, Blackburn Bonfire Night Action Group (BBNAG) who provided evidence to the Criminal Justice Committee in relation to their innovative approach to tackling the misuse of fireworks when the committee visited Blackburn earlier in the year. Commenting Fiona said;…

During the Scottish Government Debate titled Northern Ireland Protocol Bill which was held in the Chamber of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 29th June, Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, warned of the dangers of the UK Government's Northern Ireland Protocol Bill. Commenting after the debate Fiona said; “The implications of this Bill are very real and show that the UK Government are willing to risk a trade war with the EU. I was very pleased that there was an all-Party agreement in the Scottish Parliament to the Government motion being debated calling on the UK and EU to negotiate together to resolve issues. This is also the preference of 74% of people in Northern Ireland where businesses also want to keep it as it is supporting Northern…

Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has praised the invaluable role of volunteers across West Lothian following Volunteer’s Week earlier this month.  The British Heart Foundation who have a Book Bank in Linlithgow which contributes to the charity’s efforts help raise vital funds for the charity’s lifesaving research into heart and circulatory diseases.  Fiona commented,   “I am delighted to celebrate the dedicated staff and volunteers at British Heart Foundation who operate in shops across my constituency, including the Book Bank here in Linlithgow.  “I know many of my constituents, some of whom I have met personally, have seen and felt first-hand the terrible effects of heart disease. Shops like the Linlithgow book bank support the British Heart Foundation in funding around £60 million worth of research projects in Scottish universities.” …

“I was pleased to see that Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for the Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, visited the West Lothian 50+ Network in my Constituency. “The West Lothian 50+ Network is an important organisation which facilitates a range of activities and groups to over 50’s across West Lothian to encourage staying active both physically and mentally while also providing opportunities to meet new people and combat loneliness and social isolation. “The Minister visited the 50+ Network to hear about how the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund is benefitting communities across my Constituency. “Mr Stewart also attended a Men’s Group which has been supported by the Fund and promotes good mental wellbeing amongst the men of West Lothian. “The Fund has benefitted the West Lothian 50+ Network and the…

Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, and Local MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk, Martyn Day, have praised the invaluable role of volunteers during a visit to British Heart Foundation Scotland’s shop in Bathgate – seeing first-hand how their efforts help raise vital funds for the charity’s lifesaving research into heart and circulatory diseases.  The visit took place after Volunteers’ Week, marking the annual contribution of volunteers up and down the country. In Scotland, around 14,000 volunteers regularly give up their time to help the British Heart Foundation in its 75 Scottish shops.   During the visit, Fiona and Martyn heard more about the role of volunteers taking in donations from the local community and the incredible benefits of shopping preloved, preventing good quality items from going to landfill, creating a sustainable, circular economy and saving money, while also funding…

Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, hosted an event on Wednesday 22nd June in Parliament to highlight the work of Warmworks, the managing agent of the Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme. Warmworks helps with funding and support to households across Scotland, including in West Lothian, who are struggling to stay warm and keep on top of energy bills. Warmer Homes Scotland is the Scottish Government’s national fuel poverty scheme which has supported hundreds of people in West Lothian since its launch in 2015, with each of the homes saving an average of £265 on their energy bills. Speaking after the event in Parliament, Fiona said, “I was very pleased to host an event in Parliament to highlight Warmworks Scotland who are the managing agent of the Scottish Government’s Warmer Homes Scotland…