10Nov 2022 by admin

Fiona Hyslop MSP Encourages Uptake of Scottish Child Payment

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Social Security Scotland Payment Expands to under 16s from November 14th Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, is encouraging eligible families to apply for the double December Bridging payment from Social Security Scotland to ensure children on low incomes get their free school meals.  Families must apply for the double December Bridging Payment benefit of £260 before the school holidays next month. In addition, from Monday 14th November, Social Security Scotland will also open applications for the increased Scottish Child Payment of £25 per week to all eligible under-16s. Fiona commented, “We know the Cost Of Living Crisis is having a severe impact on many families, particularly those on the lowest incomes. With pressures on family budgets increasing, it’s more important than ever to receive all the help…
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10Nov 2022 by admin

Fiona Hyslop MSP Comments on Damaging Brexit Export Figures

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Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has commented on the recent HMRC figures which show the damaging impacts that Brexit has cost industries in West Lothian as exports have plummeted since the UK left the EU. Figures from HMRC show that exports have 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, “These figures show the blatant damage that the UK Government’s hard Brexit has caused our local areas and industries across Scotland are suffering as a result. “With Brexit causing a direct loss in exports, this has cost  industries in West Lothian £74.5m. This is unacceptable during already difficult financial times. “With Labour and the Tories offering no way back to the…
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10Nov 2022 by admin

Fiona Hyslop MSP Welcomes Linlithgow – Bo’ness Road A803 Safety Measures

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the recent changes and assessments which has taken place on a dangerous stretch of road that links Linlithgow to Bo’ness on A803 at the M9 Junction 3 slip roads. The A803, where it meets the M9 at junction 3, has been the subject of many complaints, concerns and issues raised over the years including drivers trying to access the M9 at the ‘No entry’ sign. Fiona had previously convened a meeting with representatives from West Lothian Council, Falkirk Council and Police Scotland in the past to find a way forward following a number of dangerous and tragic accidents on the road. In a recent response to Fiona’s latest letter raising concerns, West Lothian Council have confirmed that a site visit was…
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07Nov 2022 by admin

Linlithgow Campaigner Receives HEART UK Volunteer of the Year Award at Holyrood Event Hosted by Local MSP on Lipid Management

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, sponsored a Lipid Management in Scotland Roundtable in the Scottish Parliament with HEART UK on Thursday 3rd November. With so many avoidable deaths from coronary heart disease early identification of familial inherited high cholesterol is key in improving deaths from heart disease. Patsy Petrie from Linlithgow is Heart UK’s only Scottish Ambassador but such has been her effort and impact in raising the issue of Familial Hypercholesterolemia – inherited levels of high cholesterol she was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for her work by HEART UK at the event attended by Public Health Minister Maree Todd. The Roundtable which Fiona held with HEART UK featured other experts with first hand experience of the impact of the condition and how it…
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18Oct 2022 by admin

Fiona Hyslop MSP Welcomes Doubling of December Bridging Payment for families in need to £260

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes the First Minister's announcement that families of an estimated 145,000 children across Scotland will benefit from extra support from the Scottish Government this winter to help with cost of living pressures. Bridging Payments were introduced in 2021, ahead of the extension of the Scottish Child Payment to 6-15 year olds. The final quarterly Bridging Payment, which is due in December, has been doubled to £260, meaning families will receive up to £650 per eligible child this year. Commenting Fiona said; “3,880 families in West Lothian have already benefitted from the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment, with £632,010 already paid out to families in the area. I welcome this announcement from the Scottish Government that the final Bridging Payment will be…
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11Oct 2022 by admin

Local MSP Highlights New Powers to Promote the Safe Use of Fireworks

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights legislation making it a criminal offence for anyone to supply fireworks or other pyrotechnic articles to a child or person under 18, which will come into effect on 10 October. From this date, attacks on emergency workers using fireworks or pyrotechnics will also become aggravating factors that can be taken into account when courts sentence offenders. These measures are set out in the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic (Scotland) Act 2022 passed by the Scottish Parliament on 29 June. Fiona said; “I am very pleased to see these new powers, which have come into place at pace to make it a criminal offence to supply fireworks or other pyrotechnic articles to a child or anyone under 18. “Fireworks in the wrong hands can…
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11Oct 2022 by admin

Local MSP visits West Lothian Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Debt Centre

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, visited West Lothian Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Debt Centre during Challenge Poverty Week which ran from 3-9 October 2022. Fiona visited the Debt Centre to hear more about the support and services they provide to people in need of help with debt, which is an essential service particularly as we continue to deal with the impacts of the Cost of Living Crisis. CAP Debt Centre has been operating in West Lothian for two years and is an FCA accredited debt help charity. The charity has been working across Scotland to provide community-based, holistic approach which is available to anyone for over 20 years. Commenting Fiona said; “The work of West Lothian Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre is incredibly important in helping people…
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11Oct 2022 by admin

Local MSP Chairs Scotland Policy Conferences Session on Climate Change

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, Chaired the Next Steps for Climate Change Policy in Scotland morning session of the Scotland Policy Conferences on Friday October 7th.  The session focussed on exploring the next steps needed for Scotland in tackling climate change. The first session of the Conference, of which Ms Hyslop was Chair, featured a keynote address from Dr Ameena Camps who is a Commissioner for the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Commission and a Director of Community Energy Scotland. This was followed by two panel discussions and Q&A sessions. The first panel focused on achieving a sustainable and Just Transition, this was followed by a session on climate adaption and resilience. Commenting after the Conference Fiona said: “I was pleased to Chair Scotland’s Policy Conference on Next…
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11Oct 2022 by admin
Local MSP Visits Sibbald Training

Local MSP Visits Sibbald Training

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, visited Sibbald Training in Blackridge. Sibbald Training offers over 200 training courses, assessments and vocational qualifications by a team of experienced instructors. These courses support a wide range of sectors including; construction, utilities & civils, engineering, logistics, distribution and manufacturing. Commenting after the visit, Fiona said; “I was pleased to meet with David and John Sibbald and their training facility in Blackridge, in my Constituency, to receive an update on the business and a tour of the excellent new training facilities. “Sibbald Training have been providing important training courses for a range of sectors on their Blackridge site for many years. I was happy to see the expansion of facilities on the site which will allow for an increased number of trainees…
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07Oct 2022 by admin

Local MSP highlights benefits of Four Day Week Trials in Parliament

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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop MSP, highlighted the benefits coming from Four Day Week Trials in the Scottish Parliament on 28th September. Fiona asked the Scottish Government to reiterate the Government’s commitment from its Programme for Government to four-day week pilots and to engage with other countries on this agenda. Commenting Fiona said; “In May I attended the Four Day Week International Summit in Valencia where I was keen to hear of the benefits of Four Day Week Pilots from those companies who have already trialled this from across the world. These include; productivity gains and increased recruitment and retention of staff.  “As the UK continues to have one of the lowest levels of productivity any new innovations to improve productivity should be looked at. As many…
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