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Hyslop Welcomes Scottish Government Commitment to Superfast Broadband for all of West Lothian Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has welcomed the commitment made at Holyrood last week from the Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, Paul Wheelhouse, to deliver access to superfast broadband to every home and business in the country. Despite telecommunications being an entirely reserved matter and all legal and regulatory powers sitting with United Kingdom ministers, the Scottish Government has made significant progress in terms of superfast broadband. In his statement to Parliament the Minister announced the use of full fibre—or fibre to the premises—technology. That will provide access to gigabit-capable speeds of 1,000Mpbs. Fiona commented, “This is welcome news for West Lothian, especially for those who live in the most rural parts of…

  As your Member of Scottish Parliament for the Linlithgow Constituency, I am delighted to take the opportunity over the festive period to reflect on the year gone by, and 2019 has been particularly busy. Of course, this year we saw two elections, but also a number of exciting announcements of changes that will help those across the Lothians. This year I hosted a 10 stop surgery tour in July visiting constituents in the smaller towns and villages across the constituency. I also had the pleasure of meeting with a number of local and national organisations, charities and businesses throughout the year to discuss local issues, and I arranged a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and a number of transport organisations in May in Winchburgh to discuss local…

Hyslop Welcomes Winchburgh Girls Group to Parliament Local MSP Fiona Hyslop welcomed members of the youth group Winchburgh Girls Allowed into Parliament on Wednesday (Nov 13th) and gave them a tour of the Holyrood building. Winchburgh Girls Allowed was developed in response to the needs and interests of young women who were attending other youth groups in the village approximately 5 years ago. Members range from age 11 – 15 years and they take part in organising different activities including outdoor and fitness challenges, STEM activities and baking. The girls are also keen to take an active part in influencing decision makers and are actively working towards the formation of a Youth Forum to ensure young people play an active part in influencing future developments in their fast growing village.…

       Hyslop Highlights Impact Arts at Holyrood Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, met with the Director of Impact Arts, Fiona Doring at Holyrood last week (thus 5th Dec) to highlight the forward thinking community arts organisation Impact Arts. Impact Arts uses the arts and creativity to enable and power social change, helping individuals and communities transform their lives through the arts. Fiona Hyslop commented, “It was a pleasure to meet Fiona Doring at Parliament on Thursday to learn more about her organisation and the people they work with. “I am acutely aware of the health, educational and social benefits to arts and creativity and to bring this to people of all ages across our communities can really build confidence, improve life quality all while learning new skills. “I…

Hyslop Condemns Labour and Tory Attempt to End Business Rates Relief Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop, has condemned opposition MSPs who voted to axe support for 2,770 businesses in West Lothian. Tory and Labour MSPs voted for an Andy Wightman amendment to the Non-Domestic Rates Bill that would remove the ability of Scottish Ministers to set the business rates poundage meaning business rates reliefs, like the Small Business Bonus and the Business Growth Accelerator, would automatically end. This would impact rates relief totalling up to £7,639,000 in West Lothian alone. Fiona Hyslop Commented; “It is hugely disappointing that some Labour and Conservative MSPs want to take away the rates of relief for our small businesses, this is the wrong message to send to the companies, cafes and shops…

  Hyslop Highlights Small Business Saturday Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop is highlighting the annual Small Business Saturday Campaign and encouraging constituents to shop local this Christmas. Small Business Saturday 2019 takes place on December 7th and is designed to support, inspire and promote small businesses during the busiest shopping period of the year. Fiona met with the Small Business Saturday Coach Tour Team in November to highlight the importance of shopping local and using our small businesses. Commenting, Fiona said, “I am always pleased to support Small Business Saturday, not only does it benefit our local businesses it also serves the community and local economy. “Throughout the year I enjoy visiting the local shops and cafes across West Lothian and it is never more important to use them over…

  Hyslop Stands up for over 75s in TV License Debate Local Linlithgow MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop spoke in a debate at Holyrood this week (Thursday, 21st Nov) urging the UK Government to take back responsibility for funding and providing free TV licences for the over 75s. Commenting, Fiona said; “I led the debate in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday encouraging the UK Government to take back responsibility for funding and providing free TV licences for the over 75s and was pleased to secure support from the Scottish Parliament. “This fee affects around 7,186 older people in West Lothian alone and it is estimated that 60% of our local older people will be expected to pay an extra £154.50 in household bills…

Hyslop Warns Tory Welfare Cuts are Driving West Lothian Foodbank Demand New figures from the Trussell Trust show that 3,109 of three day emergency food parcels were handed out in West Lothian this year, including 1,058 provided for children. The statistics released this week show April to September 2019 to be the busiest half-year period for food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network since the charity opened. The main reasons cited for people needing emergency food in Scotland are low benefit income (38%), and delays (19%) or changes (17%) to benefits being paid. Fiona commented; “These shocking figures follow a trend of increased food bank demand since the roll out of the UK Government’s Universal Credit policy. “This increased reliance on food banks across West Lothian is the most damning…

  Hyslop Criticises Boots Prescription Delivery Policies ‘Prescription Delivery only free for online sign ups’   Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has written again to Boots to criticise their decision to charge for prescription deliveries. Following the decision of Boots to begin charging for delivery of prescriptions, Fiona received a number of complaints from constituents, many of whom were from older people in West Lothian.  A response to Fiona’s initial letter to Boots explained that customers can still receive free delivery charges, providing that they sign up online. Fiona commented, “I whole heartedly disagree with this policy that Boots are imposing on the most vulnerable in our society, particularly when Boots will make significant profits from prescriptions already. “Whilst it is welcome that they are not charging…