Category: News in Lothian

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights Scottish Government action to keep bills as low as possible for households across West Lothian. Commenting Fiona said: “As energy bills continue to rise and the Westminster Government’s tax on jobs comes into force, the Scottish Government are using their powers to support people across West Lothian with rising living costs. “The Scottish Government provides the highest level of public services in the UK – with free tuition, free prescriptions, free eye tests, free bus travel for under 22’s and over 60’s among other additional services. “As we continue to see broken promises from the UK Government, it is clear that only the SNP can be trusted to provide people in West Lothian with the support they need to face the…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights the Scottish Government’s introduction of the Pension Age Disability Payment in West Lothian and across Scotland. This payment is a fairer replacement to Attendance Allowance and is for people of state pension age living with a disability or long-term health condition. Commenting Fiona said: “I welcome the rollout of the Pension Age Disability Payment in West Lothian. This payment will mean people in West Lothian living with a terminal illness will automatically be entitled to the highest level of payment, regardless of their life expectancy. “This is a marked difference from the Attendance Allowance provided by Westminster and shows the Scottish Government’s commitment to delivering the support that older disabled people in West Lothian need. “I would urge anyone in West…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has highlighted new figures showing that 1,286 apprentices were in training in West Lothian at the end of last year. These numbers, which are the newest on record, show the positive difference that improvements made by the Scottish Government have made to Modern Apprenticeships in West Lothian. Commenting Fiona said: “I welcome the news that 1,286 apprentices are in training under the Modern Apprenticeship scheme in West Lothian. “Apprenticeships provide our young people with the opportunity to gain key skills and are a route into a number of high quality careers. “I was also pleased to see the recently passed Scottish Budget commit £100 million in funding for Modern and Foundation Apprenticeships in 2025-26 as this funding will further expand apprenticeship and training opportunities…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has highlighted a change to the earning limit for Carers, meaning more unpaid carers in West Lothian could be set to benefit from a change in eligibility rules which came into effect on 6th April. There are currently 22,116 unpaid carers living in West Lothian. The earning limit for the Scottish Carer Support Payment has increased from £151 to £196 per week – meaning an unpaid carer in West Lothian could earn £45 more a week from paid work after tax and other expenses and still be eligible for the payment. Commenting Fiona said: “I welcome this support for unpaid carers across West Lothian which means that carers who are already receiving Carer Support Payment will be able to undertake more paid…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, has welcomed new figures showing that over 4.8 million bus journeys have been made by under-22’s in West Lothian since the Scottish Government introduced the policy three years ago. New figures have revealed that over 200 million free bus journeys have been made by young people across Scotland. Commenting Fiona said: “I am pleased to see that young people in West Lothian are benefitting from free bus travel with over 4.8 million free bus journeys made by under-22’s in West Lothian since the introduction of this policy. “Ensuring that our young people can access free public transport is crucial in tackling child poverty as this allows them to reach education, essential services, and employment. “This policy not only supports our young people but also…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the news that over the last five years the Linlithgow Constituency has received over £2 million in support from the National Lottery Community Fund. Commenting Fiona said: “Supporting local causes is so important and I am pleased to hear that the Linlithgow Constituency has received £2,107,817 in grants from the National Lottery Community Fund. “The Fund supports community-led projects to create resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable. “Some of the local organisations who have benefitted from support from the Fund include the Catalyst Kitchen at the Larder, The African-Scottish Expo held in Bathgate and The Bridge 19-40 Union Canal Society. “For more information on the Fund and how to apply visit National Lottery Awards for All Scotland…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights new figures showing that over £39 million in Scottish Child Payments have been paid out to families in need in West Lothian since the payment was launched in 2021. Following the passing of the Scottish Government’s 2025/26 Budget, the Scottish Child Payment will increase to £27.15 per week for each eligible child from April 1st, 2025. Commenting Fiona said: “The First Minister is clear that one of the key missions of his Government is to eradicate child poverty in Scotland and this year’s Scottish Budget takes clear steps to achieve this. “I am proud to be part of a Government that is choosing to support children and families across West Lothian and this milestone achievement of £39 million in Scottish Child…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, has welcomed figures showing that 3,830 West Lothian students have benefitted from free tuition fees, in 2024, as a result of Scottish Government policy. Commenting Fiona said: “It is clear that the Scottish Government are committed to continue to ensure free tuition for West Lothian students is protected. We have seen the UK Labour Government increase fees for students while in this year’s Scottish Budget, the Scottish Government have again chosen to protect free tuition. “As the Government Minister who originally abolished the Graduate Endowment Fee which was a back-end university tuition fee and an unfair education tax in order to make higher education free in Scotland, I am proud to see the SNP Government are committed to keeping university free for students in…

Fiona Hyslop, MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency and Cabinet Secretary for Transport has announced that she will retire at the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Elections. After campaigning for the reconvening of the Scottish Parliament, Fiona was first elected in 1999 as MSP for the Lothians region. Fiona has been returned as the MSP for Linlithgow since 2011 and secured the 3rd highest Constituency vote in Scotland in 2021. Fiona has been invited to serve at Scottish Government Cabinet level by each of the SNPs four First Ministers since 2007 and has served as a Government Minister for 16 out of the last 18 years. Commenting Fiona said: “It has been an honour to serve the people of West Lothian as an SNP MSP since the reconvening of the Scottish Parliament in…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has called for support for families in the Scottish Government’s 2025/26 Budget. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, Shona Robison MSP, set out the Scottish Government’s Budget in a statement to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, 25th February. The Scottish Government’s 2025/26 Budget passed with 73 votes. Commenting Fiona said: “I was pleased to see the Scottish Budget prioritising support for children in West Lothian, which is essential as families continue to deal with the increasing Cost of Living. “The First Minister has been clear that one of the key aims of his Government is to eradicate child poverty in Scotland, and this Budget makes clear steps towards this goal. “This Scottish Budget will support children and families across West…