Category: News in Lothian

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, attended a dining night at the Scottish Parliament hosted by West Lothian College as they took over the restaurant and kitchen on the evening of Tuesday 19th November. Following the event, Fiona said: “I was pleased to attend the Holyrood Dining Room in the Scottish Parliament where Level 6 Professional Cookery from West Lothian College cooked and served an excellent tasting menu. “The six-course tasting menu included a smoked salmon frittata, pork and black pudding wellington and sticky figgy pudding. “The students from West Lothian College not only cooked a wonderful meal but also provided excellent service and I hope benefitted from the experience and talking to the Parliament’s chefs. “Congratulations to the staff and students involved in serving delicious, flavoursome food,…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has urged unpaid carers across West Lothian to check their eligibility for support from Social Security Scotland. Figures in the last census, show that there are 22,116 unpaid carers in West Lothian.Commenting Fiona said: “Unpaid carers play a vital role in our communities across West Lothian, and it is vital to ensure that they have the support they need. “Earlier this month, Scotland’s Carer Support Payment was rolled out across all local authority areas.“Latest figures show there are 22,116 unpaid carers in West Lothian and I would urge all of them to ensure they are receiving the support they are entitled to. “You can check eligibility here - mygov.scot/benefits” ENDS

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes new figures showing that 56,535, baby boxes have been delivered to support expectant parents across NHS Lothian. Over 319,800 baby boxes have been delivered to expectant parents across Scotland. The baby box provides expectant parents with around £420 worth of essential items for their newborn. Commenting Fiona said: “I am pleased to see that 56,535 baby boxes have been delivered to expectant parents across NHS Lothian. “The Scottish Government are choosing to prioritise supporting families and ensuring that children have a secure and healthy start to life. “I am proud to see these new figures and will continue to support this initiative across Scotland and particularly in my own Constituency.” ENDS

“As many of my Constituents will be aware, I have been working on the issues relating to Linlithgow Loch for a number of years and expect to meet Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to discuss these in the coming weeks. “This week, following reports of dead fish in Linlithgow Loch, I have contacted Historic Environment Scotland, who own the Loch, and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) to report this. “I share my Constituents concerns in relation to these reports and will keep them updated on the responses I received from both HES and SEPA on this important issue.” ENDS

“Following West Lothian Council’s announcement of their plans to have the Managing Committees of Community Centres take on ownership and responsibility of the buildings, I wrote to West Lothian Council to share my concerns. “I have been contacted by local Management Committees following this announcement from West Lothian Council who share my concerns. “While Community Asset Transfers can be positive when they are proactively sought on an individual and voluntary basis by local communities, I am concerned that by wholesale off-loading responsibility and costs on to community volunteers, the Council are placing a serious burden of responsibility and risk on a small number of volunteers who have varying levels of experience and expertise. Giving this responsibility to the Management Committees, who may struggle with the financial commitment required to keep…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has said that the UK Government’s decision to increase tuition fees in England shows that only the SNP can be trusted to protect free tuition for students in West Lothian. UK Education Secretary Bridget Philipson announced on Monday 4th November, that fees will increase to £9,535 per year as a freeze on tuition fees which has seen them capped since 2017/18 comes to an end under Labour.  Commenting Fiona said: “It is clear that the Labour Government cannot be trusted on tuition fees as we have seen with the Education Secretary’s announcement that fee will be increasing in England. “As the Government Minister who abolished the Graduate Endowment Fee, abolishing an unfair education tax and making higher education free in Scotland, I…

In her role as a Scottish Government Cabinet Minister, local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, visited the new Hopetoun Gardens as part of Living Wage Week. Commenting following the visit Fiona said: “The new Hopetoun Gardens, in my Constituency, are vast in size and run by a welcoming team of staff steeped in experience and horticultural expertise. “It was a pleasure to visit the Gardens and meet the team who serve a loyal customer base. “I recognised their status as a Real Living Wage Employer as part of Living Wage Week. The Real Living Wage will be £12.60 per hour from £12 per hour. “The Gardens also have an excellent café and a great range in their shop, I would recommend a visit to my Constituents and anyone looking…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop MSP, welcomes new figures which show £6 million has been paid out to families across West Lothian in Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods Payments. Figures from Social Security Scotland, a total of £164,448,957 was paid out across Scotland in Best Start Foods payments and Best Start Grants since they were introduced – these are two of the 15 benefits administered by Social Security Scotland. Commenting Fiona said: “In West Lothian £6 million has been paid out between 2018 and June 2024, following 12,620 applications. “The SNP Government is rightly proud of the different approach we have taken in Scotland to social security – one which, in stark contrast that of the DWP, is rooted in dignity, fairness and respect. “I…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights the launch of the FAST campaign to help people recognise the symptoms of a stroke and to act FAST. Commenting Fiona said: “Over 15,000 people in Scotland have a stroke each year so it is essential that people recognise the signs of a stroke when it is happening and call 999. “Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland promotes FAST – which is used to identify a stroke. “Fast highlights three specific symptoms of stroke – facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems and the need to take emergency action immediately. “I would encourage my Constituents to familiarise themselves with FAST as a stroke can happen at any time and taking action quickly is essential.” ENDS

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency is again calling on Royal Bank of Scotland to reconsider their decision to close their Bathgate Branch. RBS announced their intention to close the Bathgate branch effective from 25th September 2024, however, this date has now been delayed until 14th November 2024. Commenting Fiona said; “The closure of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Bathgate branch will be a huge loss to the town. “I have repeatedly called on RBS to rethink this closure and was hopeful when the branch was able to remain open past the initial closure date announced by RBS of 25th September 2024. “I have previously written to RBS to urge them to rethink their decision to close the Bathgate branch and my position on this closure has not changed…