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Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament congratulating the organisers and staff behind Beecraigs Festive Forest in Linlithgow on another successful event. Fiona's motion also commended the hard work put in by staff and volunteers alike to make the event come together for visitors from Linlithgow, wider West Lothian and beyond. Fiona commented, "I was delighted to visit the Beecraigs Festive Forest again this year, it was a magical light show filled with Christmas nostalgia and joy. "I was also pleased to see stalls inside the forest selling LinGin and Aran Café goods, encouraging visitors who came to the Festive Forest to invest in our small and local businesses. "The work put in by the organisers over the last couple of years to…

As we look ahead to 2002, we will all be reflecting on a 2021 which brought many difficulties, but also periods of respite where restrictions lifted and we were able to do more and meet people again and society and the economy started to recover. Now with a new Covid variant Omicron spreading fast especially in West Lothian we must all try and stay safe and get fully vaccinated and boosted to protect ourselves, protect others and protect the NHS which is facing severe pressures this winter. For many, it was still a year of personal loss and I want to express my deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones this year. It has been a very hard year for so many, and my thoughts are with all…

Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, highlights local services which may be of use to local residents of West Lothian over the festive period and winter. There are services available to help local residents with energy costs, benefits, housing, debt, immigration and Covid. Fiona commented: ‘This has been an exceptionally difficult year for many – the dual impact of Covid and Brexit has left many people in West Lothian worse off. ‘With rising living costs and an on-going pandemic, I wanted to highlight to residents of West Lothian where they can seek advice and guidance. We have some great services in West Lothian including the Advice Shop, West Lothian Citizens Advice Bureau, as well as services such as the Food Bank, Food Train, and the School Bank. ‘There are also national…

Local Constituency MSP Welcomes Over £3.4 Billion Investment for Sustainable Travel  in West Lothian Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop, has warmly welcomed over £3.4bn investment for transport announced in the Scottish Government’s draft budget last week, to increase sustainable travel in West Lothian The investment in the 2022/23 draft budget dedicates £314 million to support concessionary bus travel scheme which older people and disabled people are already benefitting from, with £110 million earmarked specifically for expanding the scheme to under 22s in West Lothian and across Scotland. It also invests a record £150 million to support high quality active travel for people walking, wheeling and cycling in across the county as well as £35 million in the next year to support Scotland’s Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund and…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the establishment of a statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 to examine the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland. The period covered by the inquiry will be from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2022, but it will also consider pandemic planning undertaken prior to this. In a statement to Parliament on Tuesday 14th December 2021, Deputy First Minister John Swinney confirmed that the Honourable Lady Poole QC, Senator of the College of Justice of Scotland, will chair the inquiry. The chair will begin the process of appointing staff now so the inquiry can begin considering evidence without delay. The Deputy First Minister also published the terms of reference for the inquiry covering 12 areas of investigation, each covering a strategic element…

On Tuesday 14th of December, during a Ministerial Statement on the implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland, Fiona Hyslop MSP, highlighted the impressive work of Aldi Bathgate in trailing a deposit scheme trial. Aldi in Bathgate has proactively begun a trial, in which the store accepts bottles and cans in exchange for vouchers for the business. Aldi plan to use feedback from customers using the scheme to inform their plans as it prepares to for the nationwide roll out. As well as highlighting the work of Aldi Bathgate, Fiona asked the Minister what support is available from the Scottish Government for businesses who wish to trial the scheme prior to the Government’s official launch date. Fiona has also written to Aldi Bathgate to congratulate them on their proactive…

Local Constituency MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has commented on the fact that as many as six children missed life changing surgery due to being missed out for assessment by NHS Lothian. The findings came to light following the British Academy of Audiology report on NHS Lothian's Paediatric Audiology Services which showed that at least half a dozen children had missed being referred for Cochlear Implantation Surgery.  It also reported on a systemic issue with a much larger number of cases affected and made a series of significant recommendations. Fiona attended a briefing on Friday (10th Dec) organised by NHS Lothian which set out how they were taking forward the recommendations of this Report. Fiona commented, “This is an extremely serious matter which will have caused a great…

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop, spoke in a Scottish Government debate on Wednesday (8th Dec) supporting the Scotland Loves Local Initiative, where she highlighted the unique collaborative approach of the One Linlithgow Group that connects community working with local business to support town centres and promote regeneration and resilience. Fiona said, “Local businesses are the beating heart of our communities and of course their contribution to the local economy offers opportunity for regeneration, resilience and development. “In my hometown of Linlithgow, the Linlithgow Community Development Trust along with the Business Improvement District together created One Linlithgow, which brings together local businesses of all sizes and the community groups that help them to thrive and survive. “With the Scottish Government’s Business Resilience Funding, One…

Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop, spoke in a Scottish Government debate on Wednesday (8th Dec) supporting the Scotland Loves Local Initiative, where she highlighted the community input of businesses and individuals across West Lothian. Fiona said, “Local businesses are the beating heart of our communities and of course their contribution to the local economy offers opportunity for regeneration, resilience and development. “In Bathgate, where I started my own Christmas shopping at the weekend on Small Business Saturday, the Choose Bathgate Group had actively been promoting shopping locally. And I was particularly impressed to see the Phoenix Health and Wellbeing Centre championing other businesses, encouraging shoppers to explore their high streets and support each other. “I also visited Whitburn South Church Hall craft fair, which brought local businesses and…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, praises the hard work and dedication of the Boghall Drop-in Centre team, particularly throughout the course of the pandemic. Fiona visited the Boghall Drop-in Centre to hear of their plans for Christmas and how the organisation adapted to the pandemic and the needs of the local population. The Boghall Drop-in Centre is a community led organisation which helps everyone from young children to the elderly in Boghall and beyond. The small team at the Centre worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to provide meals and services to all, with no barriers to access. Coming up to Christmas, the team are doing daily raffles and daily Christmas story time, Elf Academy activities, pensioner meals and providing Christmas toys and hampers.  Fiona commented: “Boghall Drop-in…