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Fiona Hyslop Welcomes £30m Further Funding for Mental Health Services Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement for a further £30 million of funding for two funds aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing in adults, children, and young people. The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults has supported local community groups to deliver programmes focused on connecting people and providing peer support helping to tackle social isolation, loneliness, and mental health inequalities through activities such as sports, outdoor activities, and the arts. The Children and Young People’s Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund supports local authorities to deliver community-based mental health and wellbeing support for young people aged five to 24 and their families including mentoring, art-based therapies, digital services, whole-family support,…

Fiona Hyslop Welcomes Social Security Support Increase Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, is highlighting that from Monday 1st April everyone who receives support from Social Security Scotland will see an increase in the amount of assistance they receive. In the 2024/25 Scottish budget, despite cuts from Westminster the Scottish Government prioritised helping those who need it the most – which is why all devolved social security payments will be uprated in line with inflation. This means that vital supports such as the Scottish Child Payment, the Winter Heating Payment and the Young Carer grant will all go up 6.7% from April 1st 2024. Commenting, Fiona said, “Despite brutal Westminster cuts to spending on public services the Scottish Government is using their limited resources to support household budgets…

Fiona Hyslop Welcomes Adult Disability Support for 2,262 People across West Lothian Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, has welcomed latest figures which show that the new Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance will ensure that up to 2,262 people in West Lothian will benefit from “an approach rooted in dignity, fairness and respect” with Social Security Scotland providing a total of 15 support payments. Under the Scottish Government’s proposals, those in Scotland who currently receive the DWP’s Disability Living Allowance – around 66,000 adults – will, from next year, be automatically transferred to the new Scottish benefit. They will then be able to apply for Adult Disability Payment. Fiona said, “Since its inception, Social Security Scotland has set out to support those who need it most, with an approach…

Local MSP Highlights Purple Day  Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights Purple Day for Epilepsy. Purple Day is a day of action, awareness and fundraising for epilepsy. Every year, people around the world come together to tackle the stigma and raise awareness in support of those living with epilepsy. Purple Day was marked on Tuesday 26th March 2024. Commenting Fiona said: "I am pleased to highlight and raise awareness for this important condition that around 58,000 people across Scotland live with every day. "Purple Day is vital in highlighting the impact that epilepsy has on people's lives and assures those living with epilepsy that they are not alone." ENDS

Local MSP Highlights Action on Tobacco and Vaping as West Lothian sees Seizures of Illegal VapesLocal MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights new measures to protect children and young people and reduce preventable deaths. New proposed legislation will ban the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 and will allow for tougher measures on vaping. The Scottish Government have already published proposals to ban the sale of single use vapes in Scotland using existing environmental powers. Commenting Fiona said: “Scotland has been a world leader on a range of tobacco control measures, and I am pleased to see this new proposed legislation which prioritises protecting children and young people from the harms associated with tobacco use and vaping. “We are all aware that…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, who helped the Aspire Fundraising Group secure additional funding from Historic Environment Scotland to complete the repair of the Spire, commented, "I am very pleased to see Aspire Linlithgow's fundraising pay off as the new Golden Spire atop of St Michael's Church becomes visible. I was also pleased to attend their Reception at Hopetoun House to mark the success of the first phase of the restoration. "I want to pass on my congratulations to all involved for their tireless work and fundraising to make this possible." ENDS

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, visited Cycling UK’s exhibition stand in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 14th March. The exhibition was visited by 47 MSPs and provided information on the benefits of cycling. Commenting Fiona said: “I was pleased to visit the Cycling UK exhibition held in the Scottish Parliament to hear more about their work and how their projects are helping to improve health, fitness and encourage active travel which helps to fight climate change and reduce our carbon footprint. “We are very lucky to have the 1km floodlit Cycle Circuit in Linlithgow providing people across West Lothian with a safe, traffic free cycling environment.” ENDS

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed new figures for Scotland’s housing market which show that 1,485 houses were completed in West Lothian in 2022/23. Figures from the Scottish Government show that the total supply of new houses in Scotland in 2022/23 reached 24,368 up 10% (or 2,161 homes) on 2021/22. Of these figures 98% were completed new builds. Commenting Fiona said: “Housing supply is a key issue in West Lothian, and it is vital that we continue to increase the number of good affordable houses available in the market. “I welcome this new analysis which shows that 24,368 homes were completed in Scotland in 2022/23, with 1,485 of these being in West Lothian. “These figures indicate that last year saw the highest number of completions since…

Local MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights the passing of the Scottish Government’s Budget Bill on Tuesday 27th February. MSPs passed the 2024-25 Scottish Budget Bill with spending commitments including: £13.2 billion for frontline NHS boards, over £1.5 billion for policing and nearly £400 million to support the fire service Over £5 billion to help create jobs, support businesses, aid the transition to net zero and fund public transport to provide viable alternatives to car use £6.3 billion for social security benefits, £200 million to help tackle the poverty-related attainment gap and £1.5 million to cancel school meal debt Over £14 billion for local authorities – the highest settlement yet delivered for local government The First Minister also announced an extra £62.7m funding for Local Councils across Scotland. Commenting…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes new figures showing that 51,594 baby boxes have been delivered to support expectant parents across NHS Lothian. Over 292,000 baby boxes have been delivered to expectant parents across Scotland, since the launch of the scheme in 2017. This has provided around £420 worth of essential items for their new-born. Commenting Fiona said; “I welcome these new figures showing that 51,594 baby boxes have been delivered to expectant parents across NHS Lothian. “It is clear that as we continue to face the Cost of Living crisis, the SNP Scottish Government are choosing to prioritise supporting families and ensuring that young people have a secure and healthy start to life. “This policy is having a significant positive influence on the health outcomes of…