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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.”

Hyslop attends Service at Westminster Abbey for Nelson Mandela MSP Calls on West Lothian Council to mark Mandela Day Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop represented the Scottish Government for the life and work of Nelson Mandela in London this week and has called on West Lothian Council to take part in Mandela Day on July 18th this year. In November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared 18 July ‘Nelson Mandela International Day’ in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom. The UN joined a call by the Nelson Mandela Foundation for everyone to devote 67 minutes of time (one minute for each year that Mandela gave in service to his country) on 18 July (Mandela’s birthday) to helping others, as a way to…

MSP Slams West Lothian Council for Voting Against £410,000 Uplift Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has commented on West Lothian Council Leader’s decision to decline the Scottish Government’s bid to uprate needs-based indicators when allocating funding for individual local authorities in 2015-16. “I am concerned the Leader of West Lothian Council has chosen not to accept the Scottish Government’s uprated funding offer particularly when West Lothian has one of the fastest growing populations in the country. “This means our young people and our elderly are missing out on an extra £410,000 over 2015-16. Despite having written to the leader of West Lothian Council on October 9th 2013 to ask him to explain his reasons for voting against this extra funding I have yet to receive any reply or explanation. “I…

Hyslop Welcomes Update of Police Counter Provision Linlithgow Police Counters to Remain Open Linlithgow Constituency MSP has welcomed the news that Police Scotland have agreed to keep the Police Counter in Linlithgow open from Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm. In the original provision, Police Scotland had proposed to close counter provision at Linlithgow Station. Fiona said; “After listening to members of the public and to those who submitted to the consultation I am delighted that Police Scotland have reviewed their proposals to close the counter at Linlithgow Police Station. “This means Linlithgow Counter Office will remain open from 9am to 5pm right through the working week. Despite the public counter demand being relatively low at Linlithgow, I am pleased that the local community who use this service have…

FIONA HYSLOP MSP EXPLORES WEST LOTHIAN’S FIBRE BROADBAND NETWORK More than 35,500 local homes and businesses can now benefit from BT’s £2.5 billion roll-out; local communities encouraged to get connected BT today demonstrated the technology behind its roll out of super-fast fibre broadband in West Lothian to local MSP Fiona Hyslop. The MSP visited Bathgate telephone exchange and a new fibre street cabinet in Armadale to find out for herself how the technology works and why it’s essential for the area’s economic future. She urged local people to reap the benefits of BT’s investment in high-speed fibre broadband. The new network now passes around 35,500 homes and businesses in Armadale, Bathgate, Broxburn, Livingston and Midcalder. Whitburn is also being upgraded and when BT’s £2.5 billion commercial roll-out is complete, around…