Category: News in Lothian

Local MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, attended the Scottish Parliament's 25th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday 28th September. The Scottish Parliament was reconvened in May 1999, with the Scottish Parliament building officially opening in 2004. To mark the important occasion, Fiona attended the celebration with Keith Macleod, who was nominated as a Local Hero. Keith Macleod is the Chair of Broxburn and Uphall Development Group and Broxburn and Uphall Growers Society, as well as treasurer of Broxburn Community Council. Commenting Fiona said: "I was pleased to attend the 25th Anniversary of the Scottish Parliament on Saturday 28th September. The Scottish Parliament has, and continues to be, transformative for the lives of the people that live here, and it is only right that the people of Scotland are placed at the…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the news that the Scottish Government will enshrine in law the requirement to increase social security payments each year in line with inflation. In the last year the Scottish Government have provided £370 million to uprate payments - £5 million above the amount required by law and by making it a legal duty it guarantees that support like the winter heating payments receive a financial boost – especially while the UK Labour government cuts winter fuel payments. Commenting Fiona said: “I am pleased to see the Scottish Government will enshrine in law the requirement to increase social security payments each year in line with inflation. “Scotland has a social security system which is rightly rooted in dignity, fairness and respect…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has raised over £660, with donations still coming in, for Macmillan Cancer Support at her coffee morning in aid of the charity held at Armadale Methodist Church Hall on Monday 23rd September.  Fiona said: “I was pleased to see so many local people come along to have a coffee with me in support of the great work of Macmillan Cancer Support. “Macmillan is an important charity that supports those with cancer and their families and I am delighted to have raised over £660 for them from our coffee morning in Armadale, with donations still coming in. “I would like to thank all of those who came along and so generously gave their time and money to charity. Also, a huge thanks to…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has given a cautious welcome of the decision from RBS to delay the closure of their Bathgate branch.   RBS announced their intention to close the Bathgate branch effective from 25th September 2024, however, this closure has now been temporarily delayed. Commenting Fiona said: “I understand that RBS have notified their Bathgate based customers of their need to remain open beyond their initial proposed closure date of the 25th September 2024. While I welcome this short-term reprieve, I would urge RBS to rethink their decision to eventually close the RBS Bathgate Branch, which I believe will disproportionately impact elderly and more vulnerable customers. “I have previously written to RBS to urge them to rethink their decision to close the Bathgate branch and…

In her role as Cabinet Secretary for Transport, local MSP Fiona Hyslop, has announced new investment in vital rail links. This follows the announcement that procurement will begin to replace Scotland’s High Speed Intercity Trains which serve passengers between Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, beginning the process of upgrading the fleet of trains serving these routes. Commenting Fiona said: “Resilient, reliable ScotRail services are key to encouraging more people to choose to travel by train rather than car, to cutting our transport emissions and to helping to move people around Scotland for work, leisure and learning. That is why we must build on our investment in Scotland’s railway infrastructure by investing in the services and trains which connect our key cities. “Over 4 million passenger journeys were made on InterCity…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop MSP, visited the Bathgate factory of Genius Bakery. Genius employs over 200 staff at their manufacturing facility in Bathgate where they make a wide range of gluten free products. Commenting Fiona said: “Genius is committed to ensuring there is a good range of high-quality gluten free goods available in Scotland and I was pleased to see around their manufacturing facility in my Constituency. More people than ever are recognised as needing a gluten-free diet and being able to buy bread, pancakes, muffins and cakes in their local supermarket is a growing need. “The team at Genius are committed to ensuring that those who have to eat a gluten-free diet are able to access the same products as the rest of the market…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has highlighted the latest report from the Trussell Trust which shows how vital the SNP introduced policy of free prescriptions is to the people of Scotland. The Trussell Trust report on people receiving Universal Credit is a damning assessment of the damage cruel DWP policies are having on people in West Lothian, including those in work. The report found that 68% of working households receiving universal credit have gone without essentials such as prescription in medication. Commenting Fiona said: “Free prescriptions are a vital part of the social contract the Scottish Government has with the people of West Lothian – no matter what your income status is you should have access to the medication you need. “In West Lothian the average person…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, will hold a coffee morning to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support on Monday 23rd September, in Armadale Methodist Church Hall. At MacMillan their purpose is to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. This includes raising money to provide vital cancer services, research, campaign for better cancer care and support the cancer workforce. Commenting Fiona said: “Last year I was pleased to hold a successful coffee morning in aid of Marie Curie in Armadale. This year I am delighted to hold another coffee morning and this time in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. “We have all been touched by cancer in some way and it is so important to support this fantastic charity that supports those that are…

“I was pleased to see a Members Debate on Winchburgh Train Station brought to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 3rd September.“As the local Constituency MSP, I continue to pursue this issue and was pleased to hear from the SNP Minister for Connectivity, Jim Fairlie MSP, that he has convened at my request the Steering Group of key stakeholders who are meeting monthly. The group are collectively looking at closing the funding gap now faced in this developer led proposal and the Council and Developers are currently discussing who will be the sponsor body. “The Minister also clearly stated that the Scottish Government are supportive of the station proposal.“As I am also a Government Minister, I am precluded from speaking in these debates but I was pleased to hear other MSPs, including…

Parents and children of the nurseries planned for closure paying price of previous poor planning and policy delivery by Council. Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, calls on West Lothian Council to revisit plans to close 9 early learning facilities across West Lothian and establish an independent review into the planning and provision of the extension of early years education and childcare. West Lothian Council are proposing the closure of 9 early learning facilities including Linlithgow Bridge Nursery Class, St Anthony’s Nursery Class, St Jospeh’s Nursery Class and Bathgate West Nursery Class, all in Ms Hyslop’s Constituency. Commenting Fiona: “I have been contacted by many parents who are concerned following the announcement of the Council’s proposals to close 4 nurseries in my Constituency, as part of plans to…