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[caption id="attachment_330" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Fiona Hyslop MSP signing her support for Scottish Tourism "][/caption] HYSLOP ENCOURAGES SCOTTISH TOURISM AS EDINBURGH CASTLE NAMED TOP TOURIST ATTRACTION Fiona Hyslop MSP for Lothians has praised Edinburgh Castle for being named Scotland’s Top Tourist Attraction by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions and has encouraged her constituents to back our local tourism industry. Fiona Hyslop commented, “I am delighted that Edinburgh Castle has achieved this status and I am not surprised that it has gathered so many visitors and so much support throughout the year. “Tourism is essential to our economy and our local community and we are very lucky to have such experiences and attractions on our doorstep. “We also have a fantastic heritage in West Lothian with our magnificent Linlithgow Palace and…

Monday, 14 February 2011 HYSLOP HIGHLIGHTS BATHGATE BUSINESS BONUS On Friday (11 February 2011) SNP MSP Fiona Hyslop has visited Genius - Children’s Schoolwear and Dancewear Shop in Bathgate, to highlight the 1,541 small businesses in West Lothian that are already benefiting from the Scottish Business Bonus. Commenting, Ms Hyslop said; “Here in Bathgate, small businesses form the heart of our community. The Scottish Government has been working hard to help these businesses through the recession, making savings and saving jobs. “Our small business bonus has cut or abolished rates for 80,000 small businesses across Scotland and no less than 1,541 in West Lothian, saving on average £2,957 locally. “The SNP has also delivered 20,000 modern apprenticeship places in the past year - the highest number on record and a…

HYSLOP WELCOMES WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL BUDGET SNP MSP for Lothians, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that West Lothian Council is the first local authority to set next year’s budget. Ms Hyslop said; “West Lothian Council have agreed to freeze the Council Tax for a fourth year – this is great news and I am delighted that this was made possible from the Scottish Government fully funding the freeze. “I am very pleased at the £3 million proposal to provide housing for the elderly in Broxburn, to help drive forward class size reduction, and to ensure that a safer neighbourhood unit will be fuelled by 21 additional police officers. “The SNP led West Lothian Council has worked hard to consult with the public in having to deal with cuts caused…

New Year Message from Fiona Hyslop MSP December 2010 “I would like to wish my constituents all the very best for the festive period and for the year ahead. “The past few weeks have seen some very good news for West Lothian with the new Bathgate – Airdrie railway line opening, in particular the new stations at Armadale and Blackridge, offering commuters much easier means of travel. These improvements to the transport network through West Lothian will make a huge difference to the economic and employment opportunities across the region. “As well as the employment prospects with the new railway line, the new M8 upgrade is also forecast to create 8000 jobs and bring in £1.1billion for the economy. With the upgraded transport network the area will become even more…

Monday, December 20th 2010 SNP MSP for Lothians Fiona Hyslop has appealed to ScotRail in order to raise her concerns about communication issues for constituents when commuting in and out of West Lothian. Recent bad weather conditions have left constituents in West Lothian unable to access accurate information from the ScotRail website. Ms Hyslop, who has personally been stuck at Linlithgow station with her constituents, is calling on ScotRail to improve communications for commuters. Ms Hyslop said, “I understand that the severity of the recent weather has caused serious difficulties to those in West Lothian, but ScotRail must improve their communications for commuters. “I have personally fallen victim to the lack of transport in West Lothian along with my constituents, having been stranded at Linlithgow station for three and a…

Friday, 17th December 2010 This morning (Friday, Dec 17th) SNP MSP for Lothians, Fiona Hyslop visited the staff and pupils of Broxburn Primary School, who she nominated for a Christmas tree, donated by the Scottish Forestry Commission. Fiona was warmly welcomed by headteacher Mrs Catriona Grant who, along with her staff and pupils had gathered to meet Fiona and thank her for their tree. The six foot Christmas tree was donated by The Forestry Commission and each year Fiona Hyslop nominates who should receive the tree. Commenting, Fiona said; "I am extremely pleased to nominate Broxburn Primary for a Christmas tree this year. "Broxburn Primary is a great school whose pupils and staff alike are avidly involved in fundraising and school events and I am delighted to hear it was…

Friday, 3rd December Fiona Hyslop MSP for Lothians has praised West Lothian Council for using GLOW websites to ensure pupils don't miss out during the current winter weather. Fiona said: “In schools in West Lothian, head teachers have been arranging for updated GLOW pages and posting work for pupils. The education Secretary has even singled out two Livingston based Schools as particularly good examples. (Carrondean Primary and St Margaret’s Academy.) "While I understand that some schools are trying to reopen this week, the experts are predicting that this weather is set to continue. "I am pleased that schools in West Lothian have been using GLOW to study from home and would encourage other schools in the area to embrace GLOW and other remote learning opportunities and what they can offer…

 Nov 23rd 2010 Lothians MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the continuation of the Government’s £10m Youth Music Initiative, despite a £6.7m cut in the Scottish Government Culture Budget. This means that the highly successful music delivered in West Lothian to school children can continue. Fiona said: “I was delighted to attend the Scottish Youth Brass Bands Championships on Sunday Nov 21st, to listen to such bands as the West Lothian Schools Brass Band. “A few years ago there were only 8 such bands competing, now there are 26 and organisers were clear that the Youth Music Initiative has helped the growth of young brass bands in Scotland. “The Youth Music Initiative has funded the Scottish Brass Band’s Youth Development Programme and the championships are testament to the fantastic work that…

     Friday, 19 November 2010   Lothians MSP, Fiona Hyslop today welcomed the Scottish Government’s budget proposal to continue the council tax freeze West Lothian and called on the council to accept the offer and join the SNP in protecting family incomes.   Between 1999 and 2007 Council tax bills rose by 61%. Since 2007, under the SNP Government, the council tax has remained frozen each year and is fully funded by the Scottish Government to the tune of £70m a year. Welcoming the support for a Council Tax freeze, Fiona said:   “We are protecting family incomes in West Lothian as part of our social contract with the Scottish people.   “Just as we are abolishing prescription charges the SNP is determined to do all we can to…