Category: News in Lothian

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has highlighted the wide range of support available to families with the cost of learning. The Best Start Grant - School Age Payment is a one-off payment of £314.45 to eligible families when their child starts primary school, helping with essentials such as school uniforms, shoes, and bags. This is in addition to the Best Start Foods payment card, which supports families with the cost of healthy food throughout the year. Commenting Fiona said: “While the start of the school year is an exciting time for children, it can be a financially challenging time. “The Scottish Government are committed to supporting families and I am pleased to see that 4,685 payments have been made, totalling over £1.29 million, to families in West…

Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has completed her 10-venue summer surgery programme, visiting a number of villages across West Lothian. The surgeries took place on Monday 4th and Friday 8th August. Fiona visited and conducted surgeries in Bridgend, Winchburgh, Uphall, Dechmont, Newton, Blackridge, East Whitburn, Boghall, Bridgehouse/Westfield and Torphichen in just two days. Fiona said, "My series of summer surgeries, which have taken place every year over a number of years, were a great opportunity to meet local people who live in the villages in my Constituency, as I normally hold surgeries in the bigger towns when Parliament is sitting. "I want to thank everyone who came along to a surgery, to pass on any concerns or news on local matters. "It was also a lovely reminder of the natural…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights Scottish Government action to protect residents of West Lothian from spiralling water bills thanks to the public ownership of Scottish Water. Figures show that the average water bill in England and Wales is £603 this year, almost 20% higher than the £490 a year average in Scotland. Commenting Fiona said: “Following a major review into England and Wales’ water industry which shows that bills will soar by over 30% in the next five years, it is clear that while England’s water companies are run for profit, Scotland’s are run for public benefit and ensures that Scot’s pay far less for their water. “By ensuring Scottish Water is in public ownership the Scottish Government have kept costs down for my Constituents across…

Following the success of previous years, Fiona Hyslop, Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, is again heading across the Constituency for a series of Summer Surgeries on Monday 4th and Friday 8th August. Over the course of two days Fiona will be visiting every ward in her Constituency including many of the smaller villages in West Lothian.  Commenting Fiona said: “Whilst I organise regular surgeries all over my Constituency, it is important to get out and meet the Constituents who cannot always make it to the bigger towns to meet with me. By organising my summer surgeries in smaller venues across the Constituency, I can meet as many of my Constituents as possible at a venue that is convenient and accessible for them. “Constituents will be seen on a first…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that all pensioners in Scotland with an income of less than £35,000 will receive the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment this winter. These payments will be either £203.40 or £305.10 per household, depending on age, meaning that Scottish pensioners will be better off compared to those in the rest of the UK. Commenting Fiona said: “I welcome this support for pensioners across West Lothian which will be crucial this winter. “These payments will ensure that those most in need get the support they need this winter and will be a lifeline for many people across West Lothian. “After changes were made to the Winter Fuel Payment by the Labour Government last year, the Scottish Government ensured…

“It was great to see the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Neil Gray MSP chose to visit Blackburn Partnership Centre on Tuesday 17th July to launch Scotland’s Population Health Framework and the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework. “These are major national policy frameworks are focused on prevention and joined-up community care to help people lead healthier lives and there is so much happening in Blackburn which already is delivering on this. “The launch of both of these frameworks shows clear progress towards delivering the Scottish Government’s vision for a healthier, fairer and more resilient Scotland. “I was pleased to see the Cabinet Secretary visit Blackburn Partnership Centre, in my Constituency, as part of this launch.” ENDS

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that it will scrap the two-child cap from 2nd March 2026. The two-child cap was introduced by the Tories as part of their programme of austerity and has subsequently become Labour policy, despite Keir Starmer’s previous promises to scrap it. By ending it the Scottish Government is ensuring 20,000 fewer children in Scotland will live in relative poverty next year. Commenting Fiona said: “I welcome the news that the Scottish Government is ending the two-child cap in Scotland.  “The UK Government’s decision to continue the two-child cap has harmed 950 households in West Lothian but from next year this will end due to action taken by the Scottish Government. “The Scottish Government has stepped in to…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed new funding for West Lothian from the Scottish Government to support local communities in tackling the climate emergency. West Lothian Climate Action Network is set to receive £170,985 to support grassroots climate projects across West Lothian. This funding is part of £6 million of funding being delivered by the Scottish Government in 2025-26. Commenting Fiona said: “I was pleased to hear that West Lothian Climate Action Network will receive £170,985 in funding from the Scottish Government which will allow them to build on their excellent climate action work in the coming year. “This funding makes the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensure that every part of the country has access to support for localised climate action clear. “Climate change is one…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of £22 million of targeted funding to reduce waiting times in NHS Lothian, as part of a £106 million investment in NHS Scotland. This funding, from the Scottish Government, will focus on the longest waits for essential procedures and appointments and includes; £25 million for orthopaedics, £21 million for imaging services, £14 million for cancer treatment and £12 million for ophthalmology. Commenting Fiona said: “The Scottish Government recognise that supporting our NHS is a key priority for people across West Lothian and this is clear from this £106 million funding boost to NHS services across Scotland. “Across NHS Lothian, there will be an investment of over £22 million which will be key in reducing waiting times…

“It is good to see progress being reported on Winchburgh Rail Station from the Stakeholder Group which I helped to set up at the local MSP. “A route to additional funding has been identified, as I suggested, through the City Region Deal and design and location plans are ready to be submitted for planning permission. “This has been possible due to constructive co-operation between Winchburgh Developers Ltd and Network Rail and this news is an important step forward. “There is still more to do to deliver the Winchburgh Rail Station, and I look forward to meeting Winchburgh Developers later in June.” ENDS Notes Joint Statement: Progress Continues on Winchburgh Rail Station A meeting of the Winchburgh Station Steering Group, involving West Lothian Council, Winchburgh Developments Ltd, Transport Scotland, ScotRail and…