Category: News in Lothian

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, has welcomed figures showing that 3,830 West Lothian students have benefitted from free tuition fees, in 2024, as a result of Scottish Government policy. Commenting Fiona said: “It is clear that the Scottish Government are committed to continue to ensure free tuition for West Lothian students is protected. We have seen the UK Labour Government increase fees for students while in this year’s Scottish Budget, the Scottish Government have again chosen to protect free tuition. “As the Government Minister who originally abolished the Graduate Endowment Fee which was a back-end university tuition fee and an unfair education tax in order to make higher education free in Scotland, I am proud to see the SNP Government are committed to keeping university free for students in…

Fiona Hyslop, MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency and Cabinet Secretary for Transport has announced that she will retire at the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Elections. After campaigning for the reconvening of the Scottish Parliament, Fiona was first elected in 1999 as MSP for the Lothians region. Fiona has been returned as the MSP for Linlithgow since 2011 and secured the 3rd highest Constituency vote in Scotland in 2021. Fiona has been invited to serve at Scottish Government Cabinet level by each of the SNPs four First Ministers since 2007 and has served as a Government Minister for 16 out of the last 18 years. Commenting Fiona said: “It has been an honour to serve the people of West Lothian as an SNP MSP since the reconvening of the Scottish Parliament in…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has called for support for families in the Scottish Government’s 2025/26 Budget. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, Shona Robison MSP, set out the Scottish Government’s Budget in a statement to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, 25th February. The Scottish Government’s 2025/26 Budget passed with 73 votes. Commenting Fiona said: “I was pleased to see the Scottish Budget prioritising support for children in West Lothian, which is essential as families continue to deal with the increasing Cost of Living. “The First Minister has been clear that one of the key aims of his Government is to eradicate child poverty in Scotland, and this Budget makes clear steps towards this goal. “This Scottish Budget will support children and families across West…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed a record £2 billion increase in frontline NHS spending, taking overall health and social care investment to £21 billion. Commenting Fiona said: “Ensuring the NHS has the protection it needs is a clear priority in this Budget and I welcome this record funding increase. “This funding increase will ensure faster more accessible care for people across West Lothian. “The Scottish Government have delivered a record £2 billion increase in frontline NHS funding which will reduce waiting times, improve access to GPs and expand the innovative ‘Hospital at Home’ service. “I know that the NHS is a key issue for my Constituents and this Scottish Budget is taking decisive steps to ensure that the public services that people across West 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…