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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, visits the Blawhorn Moss National Nature Reserve near Blackridge. Blawhorn Moss is one of the best examples of a lowland raised bog in Scotland. The Reserve is in the hills behind Blackridge and is a rare example of raised and blanket bogs, containing over 8,000 years of history within the layers of the Bog. Commenting Fiona said: ‘I was pleased to accept an invitation to visit Blawhorn Moss National Nature Reserve from Nature Scot who manage what is the only National Nature Reserve in the Central Belt. As the Nature Champion for Scotland’s extraordinary blanket bogs I take a keen interest in our peatlands which cover 20% of Scotland. ‘This site near Blackridge in my Constituency is extremely important as active peatland…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlighted the continuing adverse impact of Brexit on Scotland’s key economic sectors, in the Scottish Parliament.   Fiona raised the growing issues faced by Scottish exporters in trading with countries in the EU with the Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Ivan McKee MSP, during Finance and Economy Portfolio Questions on 18th January. Fiona highlighted the severe and continuing impacts of Brexit.  According to research by Aston University, in the first 15 months that followed the Brexit deal, UK exports to the EU fell by an average of 22.9%, while figures from HMRC in November showed that exports had dropped 13% in the past two years from £16.7bn to £14.5bn. The £2.2bn loss is equivalent to £74.5 million in West Lothian alone.   Fiona commented:   “The adverse economic…

Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has hosted a reception in Parliament marking the story and journey of the Scottish Youth Film Foundation (SYFF). SYFF are a dynamic young charity bringing new project-based learning to traditional education in an effort to close attainment gaps and strengthen the growing Scottish film industry. Their mission is to improve the lives of young people through film and they do this in three ways: through an annual Festival, their 8th annual Scottish Youth Film Festival took place at The Bridge in Dumfries on the 22nd and 23rd October 2022; through film education in schools; and through outreach film projects that target young people who would not normally have an opportunity to make a film. Fiona attended their inaugural Film Festival Awards Ceremony in…

Fiona spoke in a Scottish Parliament Member’s Business Debate brought to the Chamber by Stephanie Callaghan MSP, titled Circular Fashion: Looping the Thread on Thursday 12th January. During the debate Fiona highlighted the opportunities for businesses and consumers across Scotland as the Circular Fashion industry in Scotland continues to grow. Commenting after the debate, Fiona said: “An alarming 32% of Scotland’s carbon impact comes from textile waste so it is clear that this is an issue which must be addressed if Scotland is to reach our goal to be Net Zero by 2045. “Fast Fashion which is the selling of cheaper products, often produced globally and then purchased over the internet with excessive returns using many carbon miles, not only contributes to Carbon waste but also leads to high water…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has spoken in Parliament, highlighting Scotland’s wealth of energy resources in wind, water and wave and has called for the Scottish Government to ensure that the people of Scotland can benefit from this. The Statement to Parliament delivered by The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson announced the publication of the Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan and it detailed a road map to secure Scotland’s fastest possible fair and just transition away from fossil fuels. Key policy proposals of the Strategy which is now subject to a consultation included substantially increasing the current level of 13.4 Gigawatts (GW) of renewable electricity generation capacity, a presumption against new oil and gas exploration and accelerated decarbonisation of domestic industry, transport and…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s New Winter Heating Payment which over 12,000 households across West Lothian are set to receive from February  2023. The New Winter Heating Payment replaces the Cold Weather Payment from the UK government which relied on the temperature dropping to a certain level before payments were triggered. The Scottish Government’s Winter Heating Payment will pay a flat-rate of £50 in February, no matter the temperature, to people on low-incomes who qualify. Fiona said, “This will be a welcome relief to many of my Constituents who are already suffering with soaring heating bills. “The yearly payment of £50 is paid automatically and will not affect the payment of any other benefits you’re currently getting, including Universal Credit or Winter…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has called for action from the Scottish and UK Governments to address child poverty, a key cause of health inequality, in the Scottish Parliament. Fiona spoke in the Scottish Parliament during the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee Debate: Tackling Health Inequalities in Scotland, which was brought to the Chamber of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 14th December, following the recent publication of the Committee’s report, Tackling Health Inequalities in Scotland. Following the debate, Fiona said; ‘Poverty is one of the driving factors behind health inequalities. In order to reduce health inequality in Scotland, it is clear we must tackle poverty and inequality as a whole. ‘Tackling poverty in the early years of the lives of our children in Scotland is essential…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has highlighted in Parliament that small changes to a school environment can make a massive difference to neurodiverse pupils.  At Education Portfolio Questions last week Fiona relayed feedback from young neurodiverse Constituents to the Education Secretary calling for a number of changes to improve their experience in schools, including one-way systems and fewer vibrant decorative classrooms with overwhelming stimuli.  Fiona commented,  “It is clear that more needs to be done to help neurodiverse pupils thrive at school, but there are also very basic changes that can be made to help children and young people now.  “I am pleased that the Education Secretary has confirmed that the Autism Toolbox Working Group is currently updating the toolbox to ensure that it meets the needs of…

Fiona Hyslop, MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, has welcomed the second anniversary of Scotland’s roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine in December 2020, highlighting that 2,451,177 doses were given to members of the public across the Lothian region in that time. Fiona said, “The past two years have been hugely difficult for us all, despite restrictions being lifted. I want to thank the teams of vaccinators, support staff and volunteers who have helped us to reach this important milestone. “Whilst we should be proud of our world leading Covid Vaccination Programme, it is important to remember that Covid still circulates amongst us, and if you are eligible for your booster, you can book an appointment or attend a drop in clinic now, to ensure you stay safe from Covid this…