Category: News in Lothian

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop MSP, welcomes the passing of the Scottish Government’s 2025/26 Budget, which passed at stage 3 on Tuesday, 25th February. Commenting Fiona said: “This Budget was passed with 73 votes in the Scottish Parliament on 25th February. “The First Minister has been clear that his focus is on delivering on the people of Scotland’s priorities – eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, improving public services like our NHS and tackling the climate emergency. “This is a Budget that makes sense for people across West Lothian and some of the key commitments include: £2 billion increase in frontline NHS spending, taking overall health and social care investment to £21 billion, a record £15 billion for local government to support the services communities rely on,…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed First Minister John Swinney’s announcement of an additional £25 million to establish a fund to help secure the future of Grangemouth. The First Minister confirmed to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 18th February, that an amendment will be lodged to the Scottish Government’s 2025-26 Budget Bill to allocate an additional £25 million to establish a Grangemouth Just Transition Fund. The First Minister has also called on the UK Government to address the immediacy and urgency of the situation facing Grangemouth by at least matching the Scottish Government’s investment. Commenting Fiona said: “Many of my Constituents work at the Grangemouth Refinery and I am pleased to see the Scottish Government are committing £25 million to support these workers going forward. “I…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has highlighted new figures showing that over £1 million has been invested in playparks in West Lothian. The Scottish Government have provided £35 million to renew our playparks since May 2021, with West Lothian receiving £553,000 in 2024/25 alone. Commenting Fiona said: “I am pleased to see playparks across West Lothian, with several in my Constituency including: Dechmont Play Park, Blackburn Play Area, Polkemmet Road Play Area and Wester Inch Circle Play Area share in over £1m investment from the Scottish Government. “It is so important for children to have a safe space to play for their development and of course to have a place to have fun in their community. “This funding makes clear that the Scottish Government are committed to making…

New figures have revealed that funding from the Scottish Government has reduced waiting lists in NHS Lothian which covers West Lothian. This improvement has been made possible due to increased Scottish Government investment in the health service, with an additional £30 million commitment to deliver 64,000 appointments and procedures by the end of March this year. Commenting Fiona said: “I am pleased to see this increase in funding from the Scottish Government which has led to a  9.8% decrease in general surgery waiting times across NHS Lothian between April and September 2024. “This was made possible because of a £30 million funding increase from the Scottish Government which has enabled NHS Lothian to exceed their appointment targets and reduce waiting times. “While I welcome these new figures, it is clear…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency Fiona Hyslop who was the Scottish Government Minister, who abolished tuition fees for students in Scotland, has called out Labour’s hypocrisy and makes clear that only the SNP will protect free tuition fees for students in West Lothian. Fiona said “Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar ,knowing that this is an incredibly popular SNP Government policy, is seeking to provide assurances that they wouldn’t reverse this policy if elected but this comes hard on the heels of Labour’s reversal of a number of policies when in power of Winter Fuel payment for pensioners and failure to support the WASPI women’s compensation.” She commented “It was the Labour Party which first introduced fees back in 1998, imposed back-door university tuition fees in Scotland which meant you…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government announcement that more than 100 organisations across Scotland who are working to tackle violence against women and girls will share in a funding uplift of £2.4 million. This funding boost will bring the total Scottish Government investment in Delivering Equally Safe, which funds projects to prevent violence and support survivors, up to £21.6 million for the year ahead subject to the 2025-26 Scottish Budget being approved. Commenting Fiona said: “Grassroots organisations across West Lothian are key in tackling violence against women and girls. Their work is essential and will help to create a country that is free from gender-based abuse. “Several organisations available to women across Scotland have received funding including Children First, Rape Crisis Scotland and…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s support for businesses across West Lothian following the news that 2,760 businesses in West Lothian do not need to pay any business rates as a result of SNP policies. Commenting Fiona said:       “Local businesses across West Lothian are crucial for providing goods, services and jobs to their community and the Scottish Government has recognised this by supporting small businesses, with 2,760 businesses in West Lothian with the Small Business Bonus which means they can save funding to invest in growing their businesses by not having to pay any business rates. “At a time when many businesses in my Constituency are struggling, I am pleased to see the Scottish Government provide this essential support. “Ensuring eligible businesses…

“I am deeply disappointed in West Lothian Council’s decision to close four early learning centres in my Constituency. Linlithgow Bridge Nursery Class, St Anthony’s Nursery Class, St Joseph’s Nursery Class and Bathgate West Nursery Class will all face closure this summer. “Parents across my Constituency have contacted me to share their concerns about these closures, which are taking place at a time when parents should be benefiting from flexibility and choice as the Scottish Government are funding 1140 hours of early learning and childcare, saving the average family £5000 per eligible child. “West Lothian Council have not listened to what parents told them in the original surveys about the provision of early learning facilities in the county, in previous consultations, and ignored parents in this latest closure consultation. “When these…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes the ScotRail announcement that there will be an expansion of its Flexipass product to include more routes across Scotland’s Railway. This expansion will benefit Bathgate residents, meaning that with a Flexipass ticket passengers will be able to make twelve journeys for the price of ten and are valid over a 60-day period. The Flexipass price per return from Bathgate to Edinburgh will be £8.32, and for Bathgate to Glasgow it will be £13.32. Commenting Fiona said: "I am glad to see that ScotRail have put the feedback they have received from their customers into action. The Flexipass tickets help people who travel the same route regularly via the train to save money, which has been a particular concern to my Constituents…

Local MSP visited Let’s Rock the Spectrum in Armadale on Friday 7th February to find out more about this wonderful resource for local families. Let’s Rock the Spectrum is a play space for 0–7-year-olds and also offers a variety of classes and venue hire. Commenting Fiona said: “Ensuring children are supported in the early stages of their life is so important, and Rachel and the team at Let’s Rock the Spectrum are providing an invaluable space in Armadale for children and their families to play and learn. “Let’s Rock the Spectrum have a large play space, dedicated area for babies, and an excellent sensory play area. “The Scottish Government are committed to supporting children and families and I am pleased to see the 2025/26 Scottish budget will include £471 million…