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Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, highlights local services which may be of use to local residents of West Lothian over the festive period and winter. There are services available to help local residents with energy costs, benefits, housing, debt, immigration and utility issues. Fiona commented: ‘This has been an exceptionally difficult year for many as we continue to face the Cost of Living Crisis. ‘It is important to highlight to the residents of West Lothian where they can seek advice and guidance. We have some great services in West Lothian including the Advice Shop, West Lothian Citizens Advice Bureau, as well as services such as the Food Bank, Food Train, and the School Bank. ‘There are also national organisations which can be of help such as NHS Inform, the National…

Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the 100 million free bus journeys made by under 22s across Scotland since the Scottish Government introduced its Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme one year ago. Fiona marked the milestone announcement recently in her role as Minister for Transport. Fiona commented, “I’m really pleased to see that over 100 million journeys have now been made by under 22s across Scotland – and that the scheme is making a positive difference to young peoples’ lives. “Many young people in West Lothian rely on local bus services and it is estimated that over the lifetime of a child and young person families can save £3,000 if full use is made of free bus travel with the card. “The scheme has also allowed young people…

December 2023 “2023 will have been a challenging year for many with the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis, with rising energy and food bills a worry to many. That is why the Scottish Government introduced the Scottish Child Payment and a number of Best Start grants to help families with children in particular. We need to look out for each other and I would like to thank all the community and voluntary groups who give their time to help others in our West Lothian communities. I also know many of you will have serious concerns about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and as your MSP I supported the call by the Scottish Government  for a complete ceasefire to stop the killing of innocent people many of them children. Peace in…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop MSP, is alerting Constituents who receive the Best Start Food Benefit to check their balance as it is revealed that many who have applied have not yet activated their card, meaning they have yet to access vital funds they are entitled to. Letters will be sent to eligible families in West Lothian from Social Security Scotland ahead of Christmas. The Best Start Food Grant is a Scottish Social Security Benefit for lower income families and is paid to pregnant women or their partners and families who have children aged up to 3 years old. It is part of a wider package of five family payments including: Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment and…

Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has met with the Scottish Government Minister for Public Health, Jenni Minto MSP, in relation to NHS Lothian’s 2021 Review of their Paediatric Audiology Service which identified that a number of children were not promptly diagnosed as deaf as babies. Fiona, along with other Lothian MSPs, met with the Minister to ensure that the late-diagnosed deaf children get the support that they need. Fiona also spoke in a debate in the Scottish Parliament on the issue earlier this year. Following the meeting Fiona commented, “I was pleased to meet with the Minister for Public Health, Jenni Minto, to relay the voices of parents and families of FLAAG (Families failed by Lothian Audiology Action Group) who have been impacted by this serious failing within…

Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop met with S4 and S5 pupils from Linlithgow Academy this week as part of the Scottish Parliament’s Education Outreach Programme. The pupils receive a tour of the building and the opportunity to meet with and ask questions to their local and regional MSPs. Fiona commented, “It was a pleasure to meet with young people from Linlithgow Academy at the Scottish Parliament this week (12th Dec). They were very engaged and passionate about politics both nationally and closer to home, asking interesting and inciteful questions. “The Scottish Parliament is proud to be a Parliament of its people and one that is open and accessible to all. I am always pleased to meet Constituents looking to find out more about their Parliament and the work…

Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop met with S4 pupils from St Kentigern’s Academy in Blackburn this week as part of the Scottish Parliament’s Education Outreach Programme. The pupils receive a tour of the building, tickets to see First Minister’s Questions and the opportunity to meet with and ask questions to their local and regional MSPs. Fiona commented, “It was a pleasure to meet with young people from St Kentigern’s Academy at the Scottish Parliament this week. They were very engaged with local and national politics and asked interesting relevant questions. “The Scottish Parliament is proud to be a Parliament of its people and one that is open and accessible to all. I am always pleased to meet your Constituents looking to find out more about their Parliament and…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights useful Cost of Living resource from the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government has a useful website to help people across Scotland with the Cost of Living - https://costofliving.campaign.gov.scot/ The website has a range of information available to users including information on support available to households’ facing energy, housing and other rising costs. Commenting Fiona said; “As we continue to deal with the impacts of the Cost of Living crisis, I would encourage all of my Constituents to use this resource from the Scottish Government to help deal with the Cost of Living Crisis. “The website provides information on energy bills, benefits, debt and money, health and wellbeing and support for older or disabled people. “I would urge my Constituents to visit…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed Scottish Government funding to expand the Youth Navigator programme in Scotland. Youth Navigator is a youth service run by Medics against Violence to support young people presenting to health care services. Recently announced Scottish Government funding of £64,000 will allow the expansion of the service to University Hospital Wishaw and a pilot of the Youth Navigator programme in schools. Commenting Fiona said: “Youth Navigator provides vital support for young people, aged 12-16, as they access health care services. Hospital presentation by vulnerable young people is often when other underlying and pressing needs are identified. “I welcome this announcement of funding from the Scottish Government to support the expansion of the Youth Navigator programme across Scotland. “Youth Navigator has supported over…