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Christmas Message from Fiona Hyslop MSP December 2013 “As your MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, I am delighted to wish my constituents a very Merry Christmas. “The Festive break provides us all with an opportunity for family and friends to spend valuable time together and I hope that my constituents get the chance to relax and celebrate over the festive period. “It is also a time to give thanks and so I would like to thank those who do a special service over Christmastime, to the nurses, doctors and other emergency service staff who will be working hard across West Lothian over Christmas. I had the pleasure of visiting my local delivery office in Linlithgow last week and so I would also like to formally thanks the postmen and women…

Lewis and Sophie Most Popular Names in West Lothian 2013 Speaking after the announcement of Scotland’s top 100 baby names, Local MSP Fiona Hyslop has commented on the results for West Lothian. “This news gives us an interesting picture of the names chosen by proud parents across West Lothian. “Despite being the number one name In West Lothian last year, Adam did not even made the top ten in 2013. Lewis has proven to be a popular name across Scotland and Sophie has now been the most popular girl’s name in Scotland for the ninth year in a row.” To see if your name has made the top 100, visit http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/vital-events/births/popular-names/index.html

Hyslop Urges West Lothian to Get Winter Ready Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop is urging her constituents across West Lothian to ensure they are prepared and ready for winter. “Severe weather can strike at any time and it is important that we prepare for this and take action as early as possible. “I would also encourage people to look out for others in winter time when older people and those more vulnerable can sometimes feel stuck in their homes due to bad weather. “We have already seen some bad weather in West Lothian with some devastating consequences. I would urge my constituents to stay warm, don’t travel in bad weather unless it’s unavoidable and keep supplies in your car and house in case of break downs or power cuts. Be…

Fiona Hyslop MSP delivers Christmas cheer and encouragement to Royal Mail Posties at Linlithgow Delivery Office Fiona Hyslop MSP has visited Royal Mail’s Linlithgow delivery office to pass on Christmas wishes and encouragement to the postmen and women at their busiest time of year. Ms Hyslop was shown round the office by local Delivery Office Manager, Archie Reid, and was introduced to the postmen and women who are working hard sorting and delivering all cards and parcels in the Linlithgow area in the run-up to Christmas. Fiona Hyslop MSP said: “It was great to meet the dedicated, hard-working Royal Mail postmen and women at Linlithgow delivery office and to see first-hand just how much effort they put into delivering for people at this time of year. “Postmen and women do…

Hyslop Urges Labour Councillor to Meet with Pinewood Parents Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop is calling on Councillor Lawrence FitzPatrick, West Lothian Council’s Education Convenor, to meet with the parents of the children affected by proposed changes at Pinewood School . Fiona said: “The proposed changes at Pinewood have been very badly thought out and require far more time and far more attention. The children are the most important factor here and it is crucial that their personal needs are put at the forefront of this consultation. “The parents are experts in their own right and understand the needs of their children better than anyone and I believe they should have a high level of involvement in shaping services in West Lothian, rather than be expected to defend their children…

West Lothian Population Growth is a Huge Achievement In a debate at the Scottish Parliament last week (Wednesday 4th December) Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop emphasised how the growth in a working age population will benefit West Lothian as young people continue to build their lives and careers within the towns they grew up in. She said; “The 2011 Census revealed that Scotland’s population is now at its highest ever level and 19% of the population in West Lothian are under 15. This is the highest number of under 15s in any local authority area in Scotland and it puts West Lothian in a great position for the future. “As a key driver of sustainable economic growth, achieving population growth – particularly among those of working age – is arguably…

WEST LOTHIAN MSPs WELCOME PUBLICATION OF GUIDE TO AN INDEPENDENT SCOTLAND Local Constituency MSPs, Fiona Hyslop (Linlithgow) and Angela Constance (Almond Valley) are urging their constituents to get involved in the referendum debate by reading the Scottish Government's flagship guide to independence, which was published on Tuesday, November 26, 2013. The 670-page document - the most comprehensive blueprint for independence ever produced by any country ahead of an independence vote - was launched to an audience of hundreds of journalists from across the globe. Commenting, Fiona Hyslop said: "This landmark document takes the referendum debate into a new phase. The guide and the answers it provides show clearly and simply the difference that we can make in Scotland if decisions on Scotland’s future are taken by those who care most…

Hyslop Comments on Proposed Pinewood School Changes Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has commented on the proposed changes to Pinewood School in Blackburn. West Lothian Council are proposing to relocate the school’s primary provision to Ogilvie School in Livingston to ensure all pupils currently at Pinewood with severe and complex special needs have access to adequate care and education. A consultation period will take place from 13 November 2013 until 17 January 2014. Fiona Hyslop said; “Whatever the result of this consultation, the welfare and interests of the children must be paramount. “I will be meeting with parents next week to hear their concerns and to ensure that the views, interests and needs of the children affected are put first".

STURGEON TO SPEAK AT WEST LOTHIAN REFERENDUM INFO EVENING Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to speak at an event in Livingston for people across West Lothian undecided about which way they will vote in next year’s independence referendum. Ms Sturgeon will be joined on the Deans High School platform on Wednesday 4th December by local MSPs, and fellow Scottish Government ministers, Angela Constance and Fiona Hyslop. The event is to coincide with the Scottish Government White Paper on independence being launched on the 26th November, a document which sets out the Government’s vision for Scotland after a Yes vote. The local campaign group Yes West Lothian has organised the evening which is designed to give undecided voters the information they are looking for to help make up their minds…

Local MSP Welcomes Success of £8m for New Jobs for Vion Staff 1000 ex-Vion employees have benefitted from the £8m which was secured from Scottish Government funding aimed at staff who had been made redundant at the Vion Halls plant last year. The community has been boosted by initiatives that include £630,000 towards on-site support during the wind-down of the factory; £225,000 for English-language training for 400 workers, mainly from Poland; and a new £1m Business Gateway centre that is in itself creating 170 jobs. Fiona Hyslop commented; “As the local constituency MSP for Broxburn and a member of the Government-led taskforce, I have always firmly campaigned on behalf of the staff at the Vion Halls plant. “We have always had a strong sense of community in West Lothian. I…