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Cabinet Secretary Welcomes Cultural Cooperation During Poland Visit Scotland and Poland have a strong history of cultural cooperation which we must build on, Culture and External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop has said. Speaking during her visit to Poland Ms Hyslop said that as well as valuing the economic contribution Poles make to Scottish society, it was important to recognise the strong cultural links between the two countries going back centuries. During her visit on Monday and Tuesday of this week, Ms Hyslop visited Krakow – the seventh Unesco City of Literature. Edinburgh was the first City of Literature and the two cities are working together and sharing experiences. She hosted lunch for key Polish cultural figures, including representatives of the Krakow Festival, the Director of the International Cultural Centre in…

Dial 111 for New Free Health Helpline Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has highlighted the new free NHS 24 helpline number launched by the Health Secretary Yesterday. As of Wednesday, 30 April, people looking for medical help and advice can contact NHS 24 for free by calling 111. “As a parent myself, I know people want to be able to speak to someone on the phone at the weekend or in the evening when GP surgeries are not open. “By introducing the free 111 number, the Government have removed any barrier for the public to access the health service out of hours. The number is easy to remember and can be used from both landlines and mobiles. “In Scotland, the 111 number will be run by NHS 24 as a public…

Hyslop Marks West Lothian International Workers Memorial Day April 28th 2014 Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop attended West Lothian’s International Workers Memorial Day in Bathgate on Monday (28th April). Commenting on the day, Fiona said; “I am always pleased to attend such an important event, to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day - a tribute in remembering workers who have died, been injured or made seriously ill through work. “West Lothian was an early pioneer of commemorating this day and would like to thank West Lothian Trades Council for organising the service. “This day is about marking international solidarity, the need for political and legal change but it is also about people – the people we have lost and those that are still living. The 28th of April memorial day helps…

Hyslop Welcomes £24.378m Funding for St John’s Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the recent announcement from last week’s NHS Lothian Board Meeting where it was agreed that £24.378 million of investment would go to St Johns Hospital over the 2014/15 to 2017/18 period. £17 Million of which will be earmarked for ‘capacity developments’. Fiona commented; “This is fantastic news for patients across West Lothian. I am pleased that NHS Lothian understands the importance of St John’s in our community. “West Lothian has the fifth largest increase in population in Scotland since 2001, with a 10% rise in the number of under 5s so I am particularly pleased that special attention will be paid to Maternity and Special Care baby Units at St Johns. “NHS Lothian is clearly working hard…

Local MSP Welcomes West Lothian Polish Contribution Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the contribution Polish people make to West Lothian following census reports showing that Polish communities, make up 1.9% of the population in West Lothian, almost doubling figures from the 2001. Fiona said; “We have a strong Polish Community in West Lothian, particularly in Broxburn and Uphall. The Poles who have come to live and work in West Lothian have brought much more than their professional skills. They have made a huge contribution to our culture and our economy. “Our countries have been linked for centuries - from Scottish traders moving to Poland in the 16th century, to Polish servicemen and women in World War Two, and right up to the present day. “I am proud of…

Hyslop Praises Linlithgow Academy Musicians in Scottish Parliament Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has praised music performance at Linlithgow Academy when speaking about the importance of piping during Portfolio Questions in the Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber. Speaking as Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Fiona said; “The Scottish Government supports the traditional music sector through Creative Scotland, which disburses nearly £2 million each year to organisations that directly form part of the sector. “I am certainly in favour of more piping in schools and more generally. I have heard magnificent piping in our schools and will always remember hearing in Linlithgow Academy a combination of the orchestra and the pipes in ‘Highland Cathedral’ at a recent school concert. “We have many talented young pipers, but we need to ensure that the pipeline…

Hyslop Praises Bathgate and Boghall Caledonia Pipers in Scottish Parliament Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has praised Bathgate and Boghall Caledonia Pipe Band for their community approach to piping during Portfolio Questions in the Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber. She also took the opportunity to promote the British Pipe Band Championships taking place in Bathgate on May 31st. Speaking as Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Fiona said; “The Scottish Government supports the traditional music sector through Creative Scotland, which disburses nearly £2 million each year to organisations that directly form part of the sector. “We need to ensure that piping and piping tuition are more widely accessible. Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band, one of Scotland’s premier pipe bands, is in my constituency. It has an excellent relationship with young people from…

Hyslop Welcomes 160 Parking Spaces for Bathgate Station Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news from Scotrail that as of Monday 31st of March, 160 additional parking spaces will be available at Bathgate Train Station. Fiona commented; “With £850,000 funding provided by the Scottish Government, First Scotrail are making it easier to travel by train in West Lothian which is good for the local economy and environment. “Car parking at Bathgate Station is an issue that a number of my constituents have spoken to me about so I am delighted that an additional 160 places are now available to commuters.”

Hyslop Supports Tourism Week as Edinburgh Castle hits 1.4m visitors Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow has praised Edinburgh Castle for being named Scotland’s most visited paid tourist attraction outside of London by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) and has encouraged her constituents to back our local tourism industry. Fiona Hyslop commented, “I am delighted that Edinburgh Castle has once again made its mark as the most visited paid attraction outside of London. To reach 1.4 million visitors for the first time this last year is a significant milestone. “Tourism is essential to our economy and our local community and we are also very lucky to have such a fantastic heritage in West Lothian with our magnificent Linlithgow Canal, Linlithgow Palace and the Annet House Museum, also in Linlithgow.…

Hyslop Welcomes ‘Make Young People Your Business’ Week Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the Scottish Government’s campaign focussing on youth employment which is being highlighted by a series of activities this week relating to digital technologies. (7th – 14th March) Commenting, Fiona said; “Digital Technologies is one of our key sectors and I know from visiting different groups in West Lothian - for example Broxburn’s STEM Challenge students – that we have a talented bunch of people eager to work in this industry. “The work and life experience a young person can gain from early employment or a paid internship is invaluable and so I look forward to meeting different any employers in my constituency would like further information on how to invest in our young people.”