Category: News

Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency joined Breast Cancer Now in Holyrood this month to support the charity’s flagship campaign, Wear it Pink, which officially takes place on Friday, the 24th October. Breast Cancer Now, Scottish Parliament The campaign, now in its 24th year, has raised over £43 million since it began in 2001 to help fund Breast Cancer Now’s lifesaving research and life-changing support for people affected by the disease. This year’s event at the Scottish Parliament also shone a spotlight on incurable secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and celebrated Fiona’s friend and colleague, the late MSP Christina McKelvie MSP who died from the disease earlier in the year. “I am pleased and proud to support Breast Cancer Now's Wear It Pink Campaign, and this year I am especially…

The Scottish Government have opened a consultation on a comprehensive package of proposals to modernise compulsory purchase in Scotland, to make it simpler, more streamlined and fairer to all parties. The consultation will be opens for views to be submitted until 19th December. Commenting Fiona said: “Gap sites have been an issue in towns across West Lothian, particularly in Linlithgow and Whitburn in my Constituency, for years and despite continually raising this matter with landowners and developers, many of the sites across the Constituency remain. “I am pleased to see the Scottish Government consulting on a package of proposals to make compulsory purchase simpler, more streamlined and fairer for all involved. This legislation would not only apply to empty homes but would also help bring vacant land back into use.…

Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has attended the official opening of the new Hawkhill Primary in Winchburgh, which is part of the Winchburgh Development and designed to support the growing community in the town. The primary school has 8 classrooms, outdoor sports pitches, landscaped grounds and a mix of enclosed, semi enclosed and open plan teaching spaces to support varied learning styles. Nursery provision is also due to open at a later date. Fiona commented, "I was very pleased to attend the official opening of the new Hawkhill Primary in Winchburgh and see round the impressive building. "The building and its location have a strong link to the surrounding landscape and it is clear from the staff and pupils I met, that they are already feeling at home…

Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency with Bathgate, Armadale, Blackridge and Linlithgow rail stations in her Constituency, has highlighted recent figures from the Office of Rail and Road which states that Scotland has the lowest rate of train cancellations in the whole of the UK.   Only 2% of stops were cancelled in Scotland in 2024-25, lower than 3.3% across the UK, and less than half the rate of 4.5% in North East England.   Download Fiona commented, “Since Scotrail was brought back into public ownership, rail services in Scotland have been going from strength to strength. This month, peak rail fares were scrapped for good, a recent survey found Scotrail was one of the best performing train operators in the UK and now we see that cancellations on Scotrail…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has raised over £417, 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 22nd 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 £417 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 Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, met with WASPI West Lothian Group at Whitburn Partnership Centre to hear more about their campaign for fair compensation. WASPI West Lothian Group currently have 270 members campaigning for compensation for women born in the 1950’s who have been impacted by changes to the state pension age without proper notice. Commenting Fiona said: “I was pleased to meet with several members of WASPI West Lothian Group to hear more about their ongoing campaign for compensation for women impacted by changes to state pension age. “Earlier this year, I was pleased to vote for a motion of support for compensation for WASPI Women in the Scottish Parliament and I will continue to call for the WAPSI Women to receive the compensation they deserve. “The…

Local MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights the Scottish Government’s new plan to drive investment in housing. The recently unveiled Scottish Government Housing Emergency Action Plan contains a range of measures designed to increase investment in housing in Scotland. These measures include: delivering up to £4.9 billion of investment over the next four years, the acceleration of Scottish National Investment Bank funding for building of homes, and a commitment to further expand the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme (OMSE) to support First Time Buyers.  Commenting Fiona said: “I am pleased to see the Scottish Government investing in ensuring people across West Lothian have access to suitable housing. “By unlocking almost £5 billion of investment and strengthening schemes that directly help first-time buyers, the Scottish Government are providing support for people to…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, highlights continued Scottish Government support for students across West Lothian. Commenting Fiona said:  “I was pleased to see figures showing that in West Lothian alone, 3,830 students benefitted from this policy in 2024. “As the Government Minister who originally abolished the Graduate Endowment Fee, which was a back-end 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 Scotland. “Tuition fees have risen to £9,535 a year in Labour-run England & Wales, while in Scotland, the Scottish Government have ensured that students pay no tuition fees. “I am pleased to see the Scottish Government use the powers they have to support…