Category: News in Lothian

Fiona spoke in a Scottish Parliament Member’s Business Debate brought to the Chamber by Stephanie Callaghan MSP, titled Circular Fashion: Looping the Thread on Thursday 12th January. During the debate Fiona highlighted the opportunities for businesses and consumers across Scotland as the Circular Fashion industry in Scotland continues to grow. Commenting after the debate, Fiona said: “An alarming 32% of Scotland’s carbon impact comes from textile waste so it is clear that this is an issue which must be addressed if Scotland is to reach our goal to be Net Zero by 2045. “Fast Fashion which is the selling of cheaper products, often produced globally and then purchased over the internet with excessive returns using many carbon miles, not only contributes to Carbon waste but also leads to high water…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has spoken in Parliament, highlighting Scotland’s wealth of energy resources in wind, water and wave and has called for the Scottish Government to ensure that the people of Scotland can benefit from this. The Statement to Parliament delivered by The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson announced the publication of the Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan and it detailed a road map to secure Scotland’s fastest possible fair and just transition away from fossil fuels. Key policy proposals of the Strategy which is now subject to a consultation included substantially increasing the current level of 13.4 Gigawatts (GW) of renewable electricity generation capacity, a presumption against new oil and gas exploration and accelerated decarbonisation of domestic industry, transport and…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s New Winter Heating Payment which over 12,000 households across West Lothian are set to receive from February  2023. The New Winter Heating Payment replaces the Cold Weather Payment from the UK government which relied on the temperature dropping to a certain level before payments were triggered. The Scottish Government’s Winter Heating Payment will pay a flat-rate of £50 in February, no matter the temperature, to people on low-incomes who qualify. Fiona said, “This will be a welcome relief to many of my Constituents who are already suffering with soaring heating bills. “The yearly payment of £50 is paid automatically and will not affect the payment of any other benefits you’re currently getting, including Universal Credit or Winter…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has called for action from the Scottish and UK Governments to address child poverty, a key cause of health inequality, in the Scottish Parliament. Fiona spoke in the Scottish Parliament during the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee Debate: Tackling Health Inequalities in Scotland, which was brought to the Chamber of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 14th December, following the recent publication of the Committee’s report, Tackling Health Inequalities in Scotland. Following the debate, Fiona said; ‘Poverty is one of the driving factors behind health inequalities. In order to reduce health inequality in Scotland, it is clear we must tackle poverty and inequality as a whole. ‘Tackling poverty in the early years of the lives of our children in Scotland is essential…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has highlighted in Parliament that small changes to a school environment can make a massive difference to neurodiverse pupils.  At Education Portfolio Questions last week Fiona relayed feedback from young neurodiverse Constituents to the Education Secretary calling for a number of changes to improve their experience in schools, including one-way systems and fewer vibrant decorative classrooms with overwhelming stimuli.  Fiona commented,  “It is clear that more needs to be done to help neurodiverse pupils thrive at school, but there are also very basic changes that can be made to help children and young people now.  “I am pleased that the Education Secretary has confirmed that the Autism Toolbox Working Group is currently updating the toolbox to ensure that it meets the needs of…

Fiona Hyslop, MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, has welcomed the second anniversary of Scotland’s roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine in December 2020, highlighting that 2,451,177 doses were given to members of the public across the Lothian region in that time. Fiona said, “The past two years have been hugely difficult for us all, despite restrictions being lifted. I want to thank the teams of vaccinators, support staff and volunteers who have helped us to reach this important milestone. “Whilst we should be proud of our world leading Covid Vaccination Programme, it is important to remember that Covid still circulates amongst us, and if you are eligible for your booster, you can book an appointment or attend a drop in clinic now, to ensure you stay safe from Covid this…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the publication of a Report from the Economy and Fair Work Committee at the Scottish Parliament which has been looking at Scotland’s Town Centres. Fiona is a member of the Committee and participated in the Town Centre Inquiry. The Inquiry asked local businesses and organisations to identify the new realities of retail and e-commerce in Scotland and the resulting impact on town centres. ‘One Linlithgow’ was one such organisation to give evidence to the Committee, asking Fiona and the other members to consider the challenges of connecting the community to local businesses. The Report states that the planning system needs to be strengthened to ensure no new developments are unfairly competing with town centre provisions. Further to this, large retailers…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, visited Robbie Engineering (RFE) in their Bathgate Unit, on the 25th  November 2022. Fiona visited the family run business, meeting owner Mark Robbie and Kimberly Robbie to hear about their current projects, including their training programme teaching theoretical and practical skills, designed to provide participants with the knowledge to become skilled hydraulic hose technicians. Commenting, Fiona said; “Robbie Fluid Engineering carry out important and complex work and are nationally recognised for the work they carry out all over Scotland. It is important to recognise such companies and the value they bring to our economy. They bring both business and skills to my Constituency and are another top company operating out of West Lothian. “Robbie Fluid Engineering run training courses, which teach valuable skills required for the…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, is highlighting the annual Small Business Saturday Campaign and encouraging constituents to shop local this Christmas. This year, Small Business Saturday takes place on December 3rd and is designed to support, inspire and promote small businesses during the busiest shopping period of the year. Fiona met with the Small Business Saturday Tour Team in November to highlight the importance of shopping local and using our small businesses Fiona said, “I am always pleased to support Small Business Saturday, not only does it benefit our local businesses it also serves the community and local economy. “Though this year will be very tough for many households who are feeling the pressure of the Cost of Living Crisis, it is important that, if we can,…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has demanded that the Tory UK Government must respect democracy in Scotland, following the ruling from the UK Supreme Court that the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to hold an Independence referendum. Fiona also said that while we must respect the decision of the Supreme Court on this question, it clearly demonstrates that Scotland is not part of a voluntary union. Commenting, Fiona said: “Westminster must respect the democratic mandate delivered by the people of Scotland in last year’s Scottish Parliament elections.  A majority of the MSPs were elected based on their commitment to holding an Independence referendum and that must be upheld. “It is clear from the Supreme Court ruling that the United Kingdom is not a voluntary union…