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SNP Politicians Demand Urgent 'Re-think' of Santander Branch Closures The SNP have called on Santander to undertake an urgent “re-think” of the 15 branches in Scotland which face closure this year. It was announced today that Santander plan to close local branches in Aberdeen, Alloa, Bathgate, Brechin, Edinburgh, Forfar, Glasgow, Helensburgh, Kirkcaldy, Lanark, Renfrew, St Andrews, and Troon. This is just the latest round of bank closures to hit communities across Scotland. Since 2015 more than 230 bank branches in Scotland have been shut or marked for closure and research suggests that local branches are closing faster in Scotland than any other part of the UK. Santander intend to close 140 branches, putting almost 1,300 jobs at risk. The branches are due to close throughout the year, with the first…

Hyslop Welcomes U-Turn on Settled Status Fee for EU Citizens Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that the Prime Minister has decided to scrap the hugely controversial Settled Status fee for EU citizens, following a successful campaign by the SNP and the 3 Million Campaign. In December in the Scottish Parliament, on a motion from the Scottish Government, all parties except the Tories backed calls for the UK government to drop the fee. The Scottish Government had previously committed to paying the fees for all public sector workers in Scotland. Commenting, Fiona said; “EU Nationals in West Lothian should never have been asked to pay this fee in order to remain in their own homes and maintain the rights they already have. “I am pleased the…

Scottish Parliament Celebrates 20th Birthday Hyslop Calls out for Young People Turning 20 on July 1st  As the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh celebrates its 20th year, Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop, who is one of only 19 MSPs first elected in 1999, is calling on all young people in her constituency who turn 20 on July 1st 2019 to join the celebration. Fiona said; “Winnie Ewing’s famous words, ‘The Scottish Parliament, adjourned on 25th March 1707, is hereby reconvened’ officially opened the Scottish Parliament in 1999. “On July 1st 2019 the Scottish Parliament is celebrating its 20th birthday and we are looking for young people who turn 20 on the same day to come and join the festivities. “There are a number of events planned throughout 2019 at…

Hyslop Visits Emergency Department at St John’s Ahead of Expansion Fiona Hyslop, Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP has visited St John’s Hospital Emergency Department to hear more about their planned expansion and see round the premises. Fiona said, “I was delighted to visit St John’s Hospital, to meet staff and hear about NHS Lothian’s investment plans to expand the footprint of the Department to help treat the growing population of West Lothian. ‘’West Lothian’s population consists of a large proportion of elderly and young people, which brings an increased demand for services, not just in the numbers of patients requiring treatment but also in the dependency and complexity of care required. “The medical team stressed the importance of early intervention in avoiding the need for emergency treatment and their work in…

Hyslop Welcomes Finance Secretary’s £26m Funding for Winchburgh Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency welcomed the Economy Secretary Derek MacKay to the Winchburgh Development on Thursday (17th January) where he announced further funding for the new Development. Commenting after the visit Fiona said; “It was great to welcome Economy Secretary Derek Mackay and Sir Tom Hunter from West Coast Capital to Winchburgh to announce £26.8m loan from the Building Scotland Fund for the new Winchburgh Development. “This extra funding along with the £50m from the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal will see over 3000 houses, new schools, a canal marina, new rail station, a public park, a new town centre and will offer a number of economic development opportunities. “The vision, co-operation and patience from Winchburgh…

            Hyslop Hails Powerful Performances in new Mary Queen of Scots Film Last night (Monday 15th January) Fiona Hyslop MSP attended the premiere of the new Mary Queen of Scots Film, featuring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie, at the Cameo Cinema in Edinburgh and met the cast and crew at a reception at Edinburgh Castle. Commenting Fiona said; “I was delighted to attend the premiere of the new Mary Queen of Scots film in my capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs. “This is a great opportunity for both our national screen and tourism industries and it is also a fantastic opportunity for West Lothian as Mary Queen of Scots was born in Linlithgow. “Saoirse Ronan’s stunning performance as Mary Queen of…

Hyslop Calls on all MSPs to Support the Budget with increase in Funding for Colleges Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has challenged political opponents to back the Scottish Government’s draft budget that plans to increase spending on colleges by £18.3 million over the coming year. The proposal, set out in the Scottish Government’s draft budget plans for 2019/20, will take investment in Scotland’s colleges to over £606 million. MSPs will vote on the plans next month. Commenting, Fiona said; “This would be a substantial increase in funding for all our local colleges. “With spending on Scotland’s colleges set to rise by over £600 million, the Finance Secretary’s budget proposals for the year will come as great news for West Lothian College, Oatridge College and other institutions across the country. “I am…

Statement on Implications of UK Immigration White Paper by Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Thursday, 10th January 2019     The Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs (Fiona Hyslop): In the last week before Christmas, the United Kingdom Government published its long-delayed plans for the immigration system after the UK leaves the European Union. I will provide Parliament with an assessment of the impact that those retrograde proposals will have on Scotland, to build on the reaction that the First Minister outlined in Downing Street. It is sometimes difficult for politicians to make the positive case in support of immigration. It is undoubtedly true that concerns about immigration were an important driver of the vote to leave the EU in some parts of…

  Hyslop Welcomes Improved 38 Service for Constituents as 1000 Signature Petition Pays Off Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has welcomed the news that First Bus have revised their number 38 service following comments and concerns they received prior to their consultation with local authorities. The changes will be effective from January 28th 2019. Fiona said, “Over the summer I met with a number of Bridgend Residents who raised their concerns about the withdrawal of the number 38 bus through Bridgend. I have been in regular contact with First Bus since July pursing this issue and met them in September to raise local concerns and highlight the impact of losing the service. “I made a strong protest on behalf of the people of Bridgend to First Bus and…