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Keith Brown MSP Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment & Cities St. Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG Wednesday, 2nd March 2016 Dear Keith, I write to you on behalf of my many constituents affected by the devastating floods in the Wester Inch community of Bathgate over the past week to seek your assurances that the Scottish Government will lend their full support in ensuring the immediate safety of residents and assist in the longer term recovery. You will be aware that during the morning of 24 February a major water pipe ruptured severely flooding Meikle Inch Lane. Following an emergency repair only 4 days later at night on Saturday 27 February the same pipeline ruptured at another point causing the same area to be again flooded. This is the…

Hyslop Welcomes £160m to Help First Time Buyers in West Lothian Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow has welcomed the announcement that the Scottish Government will invest more than £160 million in 2016-17 on schemes that will help people across West Lothian buy their first home. Commenting, Fiona said; “I am delighted that the Scottish government will continue to help people in West Lothian purchase their first home with £160 million of funding across Scotland this year.This funding will be targeted at people on low incomes and will be vital for young people and their families looking to get on and up the housing ladder. “These schemes don’t just boost homeownership but boost house building – creating jobs and supporting economic growth. “Applications for the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme open…

Fiona Welcomes Trial of People Power for Budget Setting in West Lothian Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop today welcomed a Scottish Government initiative giving residents in West Lothian direct control over aspects of council budgets. West Lothian Council is one of thirteen local authorities to benefit from a £500,000 funding boost designed to trial participatory budgeting – receiving an investment of £1,125. Commenting, Fiona said; “In these times of unprecedented political engagement in Scotland, participatory budgeting offers communities the chance to have a direct say in how councils spend their money. “This funding will support initiatives to give local people the opportunity to address the issues that are important to their communities. “Participatory budgeting has been used in other countries and the impact can be transformational. I hope that this…