admin – Page 26 – Fiona Hyslop

17Feb 2022 by admin

Local MSP Fiona Hyslop calls on UK Government to do more for consumers to stop Brexit bringing in more dodgy goods

Trading Standards organisations in Scotland enforce consumer protection legislation, but the service has struggled in recent years due to a decrease in staff coupled with an increase in demand for their services due to the impacts of Brexit and Covid. Local Authority funding for Trading Standards services from the UK Government fell from £34.7 million in 2010/11 to £32.8 million in 2020/21 and the service has seen a 32% drop in staffing levels over the last nine years. Trading Standards Scotland is funded directly by the UK Government while COSLA has responsibility for Local Authority Trading Standards services. Ms Hyslop, who has been campaigning on this issue, has raised the need for increased funding and support from the UK Government for Trading Standards Scotland in a recent letter to the…

15Feb 2022 by admin

Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop, Welcomes Childcare Sector Omicron Impacts Fund

News, News in Lothian, Uncategorized

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes the news of a confirmed package of support from the Scottish Government which includes a new £6.5 million Childcare Sector Omicron Impacts Fund to provide one-off grants to the childcare sector this financial year. This fund will make one-off grants available to all private and third sector day care of children providers and all childminding services who were registered with the Care Inspectorate on 31st December 2021. The one-off grants are in recognition of the challenging circumstances in which these services have been operating. Fiona commented: ‘Childcare providers across Scotland have experienced acute challenges throughout the pandemic, and I am pleased that funding has been announced to help private and third sector childcare providers. ‘I know many childcare providers in West…

04Feb 2022 by admin

Fiona Hyslop Raises Proposed Coronavirus Recovery and Reform Bill in Parliament

News, News in Lothian

During Portfolio Questions on Covid Recovery to the Scottish Government, Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has raised the importance of maintaining certain measures put in place as a result of the Pandemic, such as digital transactions like registration of births and deaths, in order to allow improvements as part of the Covid recovery strategy. Fiona also asked how the proposed Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill will provide resilience and readiness for future variants or future pandemics. Fiona said, “Will the cabinet secretary confirm that, as every part of society and the economy has had to transform rapidly in the light of Covid, some measures—such as those on new digital legal transactions—may need a permanent statutory footing that will enable such widely welcomed improvements to be maintained…

28Jan 2022 by admin

Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop, calls for Scotland’s Budget to Change to Deal with Covid, Brexit and Other Pressures

News, News in Lothian

Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, welcomes the passing of the Stage 1 of the Budget the additional £120m announced during the debate for Local Government by Cabinet Secretary Kate Forces. On the 27th of January, during a Stage 1 debate on the Budget (Scotland) Bill, Fiona delivered a speech in Parliament highlighting the restraints on the Budget due to the context in which it is being set, and the need for Scotland to have independence to allow Scotland to have the borrowing powers and stability required to invest further in policies that reflect the values of the Scottish people. The Scottish Budget 2022-23 is a bold and ambitious package of public investment that will provide taxpayers with stability and support, tackle inequalities, invest in the economy and public services,…

20Jan 2022 by admin

Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop, Welcomes News of Increase in Mental Health Support in GP Surgeries

News, News in Lothian

Fiona Hyslop, MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, welcomes the news that more mental health and wellbeing services will be provided within GP Surgeries and community settings, backed by significant investment of up to £40 million per year. Patients who need mental health support will find a range of professionals available through their doctor’s surgery, rather than having to rely solely on their GP or a referral elsewhere. These could include mental health nurses, psychologists, peer support workers, occupational therapists, and link workers. Fiona commented: “Access to mental health services is so important, and I am pleased that the SNP Government are increasing investment to make services more readily available to those who need these services. “By having more services in GP Surgeries and community settings, this should ease pressure on mental…

20Jan 2022 by admin

NOTE ON THE NEW FIRE ALARM STANDARD FROM FEBRUARY 2022

News, News in Lothian

Improving fire safety remains a key priority for the Scottish Government and our intention is that everyone should benefit from the same level of protection, whether you own your home or rent from a social or private landlord. Ahead of the new standard for fire alarms in all Scottish homes, which will come into force on 1 February 2022, I attach for your information and use answers to frequently asked questions. Because this is a safety measure, we hope most people will see the benefits of it. However I appreciate that there are some who may have remaining concerns so this is intended to support communications with constituents and other stakeholders. The standard is the same as that which has been required in new build homes since 2010, and in…

18Jan 2022 by admin

Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop, Raises Concerns Over Planning Application for Wester Inch Village

News, News in Lothian

Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has written to the Chief Executive of West Lothian Council to raise concerns over the recent planning application (1097/FUL/21) regarding Wester Inch Village. The planning application is for the erection of 5 commercial units, 46 residential properties, 15 flats and land for a future community facility in Wester Inch Village. Fiona commented: “Residents of Wester Inch Village have been waiting a long time for commercial units, and whilst it’s good news that commercial units are part of the planning application, the erection of more housing is an issue. “Additional housing within Wester Inch will lead to more pressure on already limited resources, will reduce green space within the Village, and lead to increased traffic congestion” “I have written to the Chief Executive of…

13Jan 2022 by admin

Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop, Calls on West Lothian Premises to Sign up for Period App

News, News in Lothian

Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency is calling for community spaces in West Lothian who currently offer free period products to join the new PickUpMyPeriod App that allows users to identify locations where period products can be accessed for free in Scotland. The PickUpMyPeriod app currently links to over 700 venues in many communities where free products are available, but not all premises who offer this, have downloaded the app to highlight that they’re part of the initiative. Fiona commented, “This is another ground-breaking project on the road to fight period poverty. Scotland was the first country in the world to make period products widely available for free – firstly in schools, colleges and universities, then followed by wider access in communities - and we should be very proud…

05Jan 2022 by admin

Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop, Highlights ‘Spaces for People’ Consultation

News, News in Lothian

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, encourages West Lothian residents to have their say in the on-going West Lothian Council ‘Spaces for People’ consultation. ‘Spaces for People’ is a Scottish Government scheme that provided funding for local authorities to promote safe travel. West Lothian residents are being asked to share their views on the temporary Spaces for People measures that were introduced last year. Measures included temporarily reducing speed limits to either 20mph or 40mph, widening footways, suspending parking and introducing new cycle lanes. The consultation was launched on the 1st of December and will be open until the end of January 2022. Fiona commented: "It is important for local people to have their say on matters which affect the local population, and West Lothian residents can do…

04Jan 2022 by admin

Local MSP Fiona Hyslop Highlights Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022

News, News in Lothian

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights the designation of 2022 as Scotland’s Year of Stories. Scotland’s Themed Years have been in effect since 2009 as a way to recognise and celebrate a particular aspect of the country and have been taking place biennially since 2016. Previous examples of themed years are the Year of Food and Drink 2015, the Year of Young People 2018, and the Year of Coasts and Waters 2021. This year, Scotland’s Year of Stories, will celebrate stories written in or inspired by Scotland. To showcase this part of Scotland’s culture, a programme of activities centred around the theme of storytelling will be designed and delivered, which will also support the nation’s tourism and events sectors. Events will be run by community groups, museums,…