News in Lothian – Page 33

09Feb 2021 by admin

Hyslop Calls on Tesco to Rethink Contract Decision which will Impact Hundreds of Workers at Local Distribution Centre

Tesco are attempting to force approximately 280 staff at the West Lothian distribution centre to agree to new contracts which will deduct their retained pay which was part of their legally agreed contracts when they joined Tesco. This change in contract will translate into an individual monetary loss of thousands of pounds for affected employees. Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, convened a meeting with the UK Director of Distribution and Fulfilment for Tesco along with local MSP Angela Constance and MP Hannah Bardell. Hyslop raised concerns on behalf of those affected, and she has called on Tesco to rethink this decision which will have a negative impact on several long-serving members of staff within the constituency. Fiona commented, “I am extremely disappointed that Tesco have broken legal pay arrangements for…

25Jan 2021 by admin

Hyslop Concerned by Westminster Tory Government Plans to Cut Universal Credit by £20 Per Week

News, News in Lothian

The SNP have been urging the UK Conservative Government to maintain the £20 boost to Universal Credit and extend it to legacy benefits. All six Scottish Conservative MPs abstained on a vote which would have ensured that. Figures revealed that the UK Prime Minister’s plans to remove the £20 uplift in April would push 15,675 people in West Lothian further into poverty. The SNP Government has led the way in tackling poverty, with new benefits such as the Scottish Child Payment and a social security system based on dignity and respect. It has been estimated, by the anti-poverty think-tank the Resolution Foundation, that the weekly £20 cut to Universal Credit could see the incomes of low-income families fall by more than 4% and push a further 820,000 children into poverty…

05Jan 2021 by admin

Local MSP for Linlithgow Constituency Welcomes the Installation of Brown Tourist Signs for Korean War Memorial

News, News in Lothian

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the news that new brown tourist signs on the M8 and M9 have been erected to direct tourists to the Korean War Memorial in the Bathgate Hills. The signs were produced by Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, a social enterprise that provides employment and development opportunities for Armed Forces Veterans in Scotland. Fiona initially raised the installation of the brown tourist signs directly with then Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans, Graeme Dey MSP. Following this, the Scottish Government entered into discussions with Transport Scotland regarding a review of its signage policy as it pertains to war memorials that are of national significance. Fiona then wrote to the Minister inviting him to visit the Korean War Memorial, and asking that he…

04Jan 2021 by admin

LOCAL MSP, FIONA HYSLOP, HIGHLIGHTS SCOTLAND’S YEAR OF STORIES 2022

News, News in Lothian

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights the designation of 2022 as Scotland’s Year of Stories. Scotland’s Themed Years have been in effect since 2009 as a way to recognise and celebrate a particular aspect of the country and have been taking place biennially since 2016. Previous examples of themed years are the Year of Food and Drink 2015, the Year of Young People 2018, and the Year of Coasts and Waters 2021. This year, Scotland’s Year of Stories, will celebrate stories written in or inspired by Scotland. To showcase this part of Scotland’s culture, a programme of activities centred around the theme of storytelling will be designed and delivered, which will also support the nation’s tourism and events sectors. Events will be run by community groups, museums,…

03Jan 2021 by admin

Local MSP Fiona Hyslop Welcomes Work of Warm Homes Scheme

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the impact of a scheme aimed at helping homes become warmer, more comfortable and more affordable to heat in her constituency. Warmer Homes Scotland is the Scottish Government’s national fuel poverty scheme which has supported 313 people in Linlithgow since its launch in 2015, with each of the homes saving an average of £265 on their energy bills. The Warmer Homes Scotland scheme provides a step-by-step service to identify where energy improvements can be made and arranges for these to be carried out. The scheme offers new central heating systems, including renewable heating technologies, in all property types and in all regions across Scotland. All work carried out as part of the scheme is undertaken by registered and accredited local…

03Jan 2021 by admin

Local MSP Fiona Hyslop Welcomes Work of Warm Homes Scheme

News, News in Lothian, Uncategorized

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the impact of a scheme aimed at helping homes become warmer, more comfortable and more affordable to heat in her constituency. Warmer Homes Scotland is the Scottish Government’s national fuel poverty scheme which has supported 313 people in Linlithgow since its launch in 2015, with each of the homes saving an average of £265 on their energy bills. The Warmer Homes Scotland scheme provides a step-by-step service to identify where energy improvements can be made and arranges for these to be carried out. The scheme offers new central heating systems, including renewable heating technologies, in all property types and in all regions across Scotland. All work carried out as part of the scheme is undertaken by registered and accredited local…

18Dec 2020 by admin

Hyslop Backs ‘Ambitious’ Steps To Tackle Climate Emergency

News, News in Lothian

Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the announcement of more than 100 ambitious new policies and proposals to support Scotland’s green recovery and help deliver a just transition to net zero. They form part of the Climate Change Plan 2018 – 2032, which has been updated to reflect the world’s most ambitious climate targets as enshrined in Scotland’s Climate Change Act 2019. The Plan includes: - additional funding of £120 million for zero emission buses to accelerate the decarbonisation of Scotland’s bus fleet and support the Scottish supply chain. - £50 million to support the creation of Active Freeways to provide sustainable transport links between our towns and cities - £50 million to transform vacant and derelict land, ensuring that this land is utilised for maximum environmental and community benefit…

16Dec 2020 by admin

Hyslop Welcomes Announcement of Support for Spectator Sport in West Lothian

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Spectator sports in West Lothian will receive a share of a £55million package announced by the SNP Scottish Government. The support will help local teams cope with a difficult period where they have been unable to welcome fans to matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Amongst the funding, £30m will go to football, £20m to rugby and £2.2m to ice hockey and rinks. The money goes over and above what has been provided by the UK government in Barnett consequentials and means the SNP Scottish Government can provide the funds each sport needs. Fiona Commented: “I am delighted that the SNP Government has engaged with sporting bodies and have tailored a funding package to each sport. This has been a difficult time for many sports in West Lothian and this…

16Dec 2020 by admin

Hyslop Welcomes News That Businesses in West Lothian to Receive Share of £185 Million Scottish Government Funding

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Businesses in West Lothian will receive their share of targeted Scottish Government coronavirus funding worth £185million. The funding was recently announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and will benefit a wide range of sectors, such as taxi drivers, arts venues and the hospitality sector. The Scottish Government is developing grant schemes for hospitality, the events sector, live music, arts, indoor football centres and the food and drink sector. A further £60 million will also be provided to the tourism sector. In addition, there will be one-off payments of either £2,000 or £3,000 available for hospitality businesses in January to help them deal with the traditional post-Christmas dip in demand. Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, commented, "I welcome this Scottish Government funding as it will help support firms and ensure that our economy is on the…

03Dec 2020 by admin

Hyslop Welcomes News That Over 200 People in West Lothian Receive Help Through Warm Homes Scheme

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Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop welcomes the impact of Warmer Homes Scotland on fuel poor households in West Lothian. Over 200 households in West Lothian have benefitted from the scheme’s help since it was launched in 2015, each of them saving around £300 on their energy bills per year. The £224 million Warmer Homes Scotland scheme provides a step-by-step service to help make homes warmer and more comfortable. Assistance can include installing new and efficient boilers, fitting new radiators, insulating lofts or even working with partners to install gas mains to make heating homes in hard to reach areas more affordable. All work is carried out by registered and accredited local sub-contractors, who work to rigorous quality standards across the country. With the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland)…