Category: News in Lothian

MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, is raising awareness of the Safer Scot Campaign to alert people to the dangers of spiking. The site - https://safer.scot/spiking/ - provides information and advice on where to get support and how to report incidents. Spiking is when someone is given alcohol or drugs without their consent. Spiking can take different forms, it could be someone adding drugs or extra alcohol to your drink or spiking by injection. Drink spiking is the most common form of spiking and can also take place in private spaces/social events as well as in bars and nightclubs. Fiona said, “First and foremost, spiking is never the victim’s fault. The Safer Scot webpages offer valuable advice on staying safe and what to do if you think you have been…

Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow Constituency is highlighting a Scottish Government Vaccine Programme aimed to help respiratory care in older people and pregnant people ahead of this winter. From August 2024, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination will be available to older adults and to protect infants, through maternal vaccination. RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild cold-like symptoms in adults and children, however the severity of the illness can vary and in infants can cause bronchitis, which can be very serious. RSV is one of the leading causes of hospitalisation in the first year of life. Older adults are also more likely to experience hospitalisation. Commenting, Fiona said, “The introduction of the RSV vaccinations aims to reduce the burden of this illness across communities and alleviate…

Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has visited 10 venues across a number of smaller towns and villages across her Constituency to hold summer surgeries. They took place on Wednesday 10th July and Friday 12th July. Fiona visited and conducted surgeries in Bridgend, Winchburgh, Uphall, Dechmont, Newton, Blackridge, East Whitburn, Boghall, Bridgehouse/Westfield and Torphichen in just two days. Fiona said, "The summer surgeries, which I have organised now over the summer recess a number of times, was hugely successful and a great opportunity to meet local people and businesses based in the semi-rural areas of my Constituency. "I want to thank everyone who came along to a surgery, who chatted to me on the streets or stopped me in passing to say hello or to pass on any concerns or news…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes £4 million investment from the Scottish Government in the Extra Time Programme. The Extra Time Programme, a joint initiative with the Scottish Football Association, supports free before and after school clubs and holiday clubs for children from families on low incomes, offering free childcare provision. The Extra Time Programme provides after school and holiday activity clubs for primary school aged children, projected to provide 3,000 each week free access to sport and other fun activities outside of school hours. Commenting Fiona said: "I was pleased to see the Scottish Government's investment in the Extra Time Programme double from £2 million to £4 million this year, with £149,700 of this budget being allocated to Broxburn United Sports Club in my Constituency. "This…

Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, met with Glenn Miller, Captain of the Linlithgow Cycling Without Age Chapter this week to hear more about the Global Initiative and their fundraising plans for the future. Cycling Without Age aims to enhance and enrich lives by giving older people and those with disabilities access to walks and areas outdoors that they might not otherwise be able to visit through the use of their pioneering trishaw rides. Fiona commented, “The Cycling Without Age Initiative is a fantastic way of ensuring those with mobility issues can get out in the fresh air and see the countryside, town and landmarks where they live. “I have heard much positive feedback from users of the service and from their volunteers and it was great to meet Glenn…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes the news that among 2022-23 school leavers, 92.8% were in a positive follow-up destination, including higher and further education, employment, voluntary work and training. 91.1% of all school leavers across West Lothian were able to go into work, training or further education. Over the long term, this has increased from 81.9% in 2009-10. Commenting Fiona said; "I was pleased to see that of 2,129 school leavers across West Lothian, 91.1% were able to go into positive destinations, including higher education, training and employment in 2022-23. "These figures are a true testament to the commitment and dedication of teachers, parents and young people across West Lothian. "So many of our young people are able to follow their ambition as they leave school,…

Following the success of previous years, Fiona Hyslop, Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, is again heading out on a Summer Surgery Tour on Wednesday 10th July and Friday 12th July. As part of her tour she will be visiting every ward in her Constituency including many of the smaller villages in West Lothian.  Fiona said: “Whilst I organise regular surgeries all over my constituency, it is important to get out and meet the Constituents who cannot always make it to the bigger towns to meet with me. By organising this surgery tour, I can meet as many of my Constituents as possible at a venue that is convenient and accessible for them. “Constituents will be seen on a first come, first seen basis, however if you can’t make any…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has highlighted Linlithgow Rose FC’s presence at the African World Cup Qualifying Games. In 2022 Fiona wrote to local football teams across her Constituency to let them know about a national campaign to send unused football strips to Malawi for local teams there to play in a full matching strip. Fiona was delighted when Linlithgow Rose Football Club replied to say they wanted to get involved. A number of strips and equipment arrived in Malawi in August 2023, teams at Ekwaiweni Tafika Sports Academy (ETSA) in the north of the country, and at Play Football Malawi (PFM) in the capital, Lilongwe were pleased to receive the Linlithgow Rose strips and equipment. Just this week, Fiona’s office received notification that the Linlithgow Rose…

Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop, is alerting Constituents to the Community Survey for the future of St Michael’s Hospital which is due to close on Tuesday 25th June. Fiona has repeatedly called for the future of St Michael’s Hospital to continue to benefit the community and has previously urged Constituents to fill out the survey which has been created and run by the Friends of St Michael’s Hospital Group and the Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge Community Council. Fiona said, “Since the temporary closure of St Michael’s Hospital in Linlithgow there has been much discussion and speculation about what can and should be done with the buildings and its expansive grounds. “The site at St Michael’s Hospital was gifted by the Church to the Health Board in the 19th…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes Scottish Government action to eradicate child poverty. Cabinet Secretary for Social Security, Shirley-Anne Sommerville MSP, gave a statement in the Chamber of the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 4th June following the publication of the Scottish Government’s annual progress report on child poverty for 2023-24. The report reflects the latest updates on the implementation of the “Best Start, Bright Future: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022-26” and the latest data on poverty levels, which were published by the Scottish Government in March. Commenting, Fiona said;                 “The First Minister has been clear that eradicating child poverty is one of the key missions of the Scottish Government.                                                                                                                                                                                  “I know my own Constituents in West Lothian are dealing with the impacts of the…