Local MSP Welcomes Scottish Government Support for 2,760 Businesses in West Lothian

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s support for businesses across West Lothian following the news that 2,760 businesses in West Lothian do not need to pay any business rates as a result of SNP policies. Commenting Fiona said:       “Local businesses across West Lothian are crucial for providing goods, services and jobs to their community and the Scottish Government has recognised this by supporting small businesses, with 2,760 businesses in West Lothian with the Small Business Bonus which means they can save funding to invest in growing their businesses by not having to pay any business rates. “At a time when many businesses in my Constituency are struggling, I am pleased to see the Scottish Government provide this essential support. “Ensuring eligible businesses…
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Press comment from Fiona Hyslop MSP following West Lothian Council Nursery Closure Announcement:

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“I am deeply disappointed in West Lothian Council’s decision to close four early learning centres in my Constituency. Linlithgow Bridge Nursery Class, St Anthony’s Nursery Class, St Joseph’s Nursery Class and Bathgate West Nursery Class will all face closure this summer. “Parents across my Constituency have contacted me to share their concerns about these closures, which are taking place at a time when parents should be benefiting from flexibility and choice as the Scottish Government are funding 1140 hours of early learning and childcare, saving the average family £5000 per eligible child. “West Lothian Council have not listened to what parents told them in the original surveys about the provision of early learning facilities in the county, in previous consultations, and ignored parents in this latest closure consultation. “When these…
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Local MSP welcomes ScotRail plans to expand Flexipass routes with enhanced savings

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes the ScotRail announcement that there will be an expansion of its Flexipass product to include more routes across Scotland’s Railway. This expansion will benefit Bathgate residents, meaning that with a Flexipass ticket passengers will be able to make twelve journeys for the price of ten and are valid over a 60-day period. The Flexipass price per return from Bathgate to Edinburgh will be £8.32, and for Bathgate to Glasgow it will be £13.32. Commenting Fiona said: "I am glad to see that ScotRail have put the feedback they have received from their customers into action. The Flexipass tickets help people who travel the same route regularly via the train to save money, which has been a particular concern to my Constituents…
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Local MSP Visits Let’s Rock the Spectrum

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Local MSP visited Let’s Rock the Spectrum in Armadale on Friday 7th February to find out more about this wonderful resource for local families. Let’s Rock the Spectrum is a play space for 0–7-year-olds and also offers a variety of classes and venue hire. Commenting Fiona said: “Ensuring children are supported in the early stages of their life is so important, and Rachel and the team at Let’s Rock the Spectrum are providing an invaluable space in Armadale for children and their families to play and learn. “Let’s Rock the Spectrum have a large play space, dedicated area for babies, and an excellent sensory play area. “The Scottish Government are committed to supporting children and families and I am pleased to see the 2025/26 Scottish budget will include £471 million…
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Fiona Hyslop MSP Welcomes Scottish Government Support to Eradicate Child Poverty in West Lothian

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Local MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which shows that Scotland is set to see a decline in child poverty, but disappointed to see rates are set to rise across the rest of the UK. The report forecasts that child poverty in Scotland will fall from 23.7% to 21.8% by January 2029 as a result of Scottish Government policies such as the Scottish Child Payment and scrapping the two-child benefit cap. Commenting Fiona said: "I was pleased to see that child poverty rates in Scotland are set to drop as a result of progressive SNP policies, highlighted in the report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. "I welcome the recent figures from the report, confirming that Scottish Government policies such as the…
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Local MSP Welcomes Unprecedented Investment in Culture

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the announcement from Creative Scotland, which will see a record number of cultural organisations, including in West Lothian, receive stable, multi-year funding. This funding will be available thanks to a significant commitment from the Scottish Government in the upcoming 2025/26 Scottish Budget. Commenting Fiona said: “This Scottish Budget will see the largest ever funding commitment for Scotland’s cultural sector with over £200 million being provided to 251 organisations over the next three years. “The investment makes the Scottish Government’s commitment to the arts clear, reinforcing Scotland’s status as a global cultural leader, and also delivering economic benefits by supporting jobs, freelancers and creative workers across West Lothian. “In West Lothian we value our culture sector and I am pleased to…
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Press comment from Fiona Hyslop MSP on Scottish Budget Agreement:

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“This Scottish Government Budget prioritises supporting families and children across West Lothian. The commitments made in this Budget make clear that the Scottish Government are committed to eradicating poverty in Scotland and are taking steps to achieve this. “This Scottish Budget will provide record levels of NHS funding, the universal Winter Fuel Payment for our pensioners, and take steps to replace benefits for 15,000 children keeping them out of poverty after the UK Government’s Two Child Cap limit. “This is a Budget that makes sense for people in my Constituency and across Scotland, investing an additional £2bn for the NHS and supporting families with the cost of living, and I am pleased to see that an agreement has been reached with the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Scottish Green Party to…
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Local MSP welcomes Scottish Government funding for and work of grassroots organisation tackling climate change in West Lothian

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, had an informative meeting with the West Lothian Climate Action Network (WLCAN) to hear about their work in the area. WLCAN works to create a sustainable future for West Lothian by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy, and educating the public about climate change. The Scottish Government have allocated a total of £5.5 million 2024-25 for Climate Action Hubs alongside a support package for delivery, with West Lothian Climate Action Network receiving £160,000.00. Commenting Fiona said: "It is inspiring to see local, grassroots organisations such as the West Lothian Climate Action Network tackling vital issues such as the climate crisis, and tackling them in a comprehensive manner through education and action. "The West Lothian Climate Action Network help to address climate…
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Local MSP Welcomes News that No New Cases of Cervical Cancer Detected in Fully Vaccinated Women in West Lothian

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Local MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the news that no new cases of cervical cancer have been detected in women across West Lothian who have received the HPV vaccine. Commenting Fiona said: “In West Lothian, 2,471 pupils received the vaccine last year and there have been no new cases of cervical cancer detected in those who are fully vaccinated. “Figures from Public Health Scotland show that there have been no cervical cancer cases detected in fully vaccinated women since the immunisation programme began in 2008, highlighting the importance of receiving the vaccine. “This shows the efficacy of preventative healthcare, and I would encourage all those who are offered the HPV vaccine to take it.” ENDS
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Local MSP Calls Out Labour’s Betrayal of 10,070 WASPI Women in West Lothian

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has hit out at the UK Labour Government’s betrayal of WASPI women in West Lothian. Figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) reveal that 10,070 women in West Lothian may have lost out on pension payments. The UK Government, Department of Work and Pension’s failed to inform these women of the changes to the state pension age, resulting in an estimated 355,910 women across Scotland not receiving money they were entitled to. The Scottish Government and Westminster SNP Group have been clear that the UK Government must do the right thing and support the WASPI women. Commenting Fiona said: “It is disappointing to see the UK Government renege on their promise to compensate the WASPI women. “The SNP continues to call…
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