Category: News in Lothian

Hyslop Urges Labour Councillor to Meet with Pinewood Parents Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop is calling on Councillor Lawrence FitzPatrick, West Lothian Council’s Education Convenor, to meet with the parents of the children affected by proposed changes at Pinewood School . Fiona said: “The proposed changes at Pinewood have been very badly thought out and require far more time and far more attention. The children are the most important factor here and it is crucial that their personal needs are put at the forefront of this consultation. “The parents are experts in their own right and understand the needs of their children better than anyone and I believe they should have a high level of involvement in shaping services in West Lothian, rather than be expected to defend their children…

West Lothian Population Growth is a Huge Achievement In a debate at the Scottish Parliament last week (Wednesday 4th December) Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop emphasised how the growth in a working age population will benefit West Lothian as young people continue to build their lives and careers within the towns they grew up in. She said; “The 2011 Census revealed that Scotland’s population is now at its highest ever level and 19% of the population in West Lothian are under 15. This is the highest number of under 15s in any local authority area in Scotland and it puts West Lothian in a great position for the future. “As a key driver of sustainable economic growth, achieving population growth – particularly among those of working age – is arguably…

WEST LOTHIAN MSPs WELCOME PUBLICATION OF GUIDE TO AN INDEPENDENT SCOTLAND Local Constituency MSPs, Fiona Hyslop (Linlithgow) and Angela Constance (Almond Valley) are urging their constituents to get involved in the referendum debate by reading the Scottish Government's flagship guide to independence, which was published on Tuesday, November 26, 2013. The 670-page document - the most comprehensive blueprint for independence ever produced by any country ahead of an independence vote - was launched to an audience of hundreds of journalists from across the globe. Commenting, Fiona Hyslop said: "This landmark document takes the referendum debate into a new phase. The guide and the answers it provides show clearly and simply the difference that we can make in Scotland if decisions on Scotland’s future are taken by those who care most…

Hyslop Comments on Proposed Pinewood School Changes Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has commented on the proposed changes to Pinewood School in Blackburn. West Lothian Council are proposing to relocate the school’s primary provision to Ogilvie School in Livingston to ensure all pupils currently at Pinewood with severe and complex special needs have access to adequate care and education. A consultation period will take place from 13 November 2013 until 17 January 2014. Fiona Hyslop said; “Whatever the result of this consultation, the welfare and interests of the children must be paramount. “I will be meeting with parents next week to hear their concerns and to ensure that the views, interests and needs of the children affected are put first".

STURGEON TO SPEAK AT WEST LOTHIAN REFERENDUM INFO EVENING Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to speak at an event in Livingston for people across West Lothian undecided about which way they will vote in next year’s independence referendum. Ms Sturgeon will be joined on the Deans High School platform on Wednesday 4th December by local MSPs, and fellow Scottish Government ministers, Angela Constance and Fiona Hyslop. The event is to coincide with the Scottish Government White Paper on independence being launched on the 26th November, a document which sets out the Government’s vision for Scotland after a Yes vote. The local campaign group Yes West Lothian has organised the evening which is designed to give undecided voters the information they are looking for to help make up their minds…

Local MSP Welcomes Success of £8m for New Jobs for Vion Staff 1000 ex-Vion employees have benefitted from the £8m which was secured from Scottish Government funding aimed at staff who had been made redundant at the Vion Halls plant last year. The community has been boosted by initiatives that include £630,000 towards on-site support during the wind-down of the factory; £225,000 for English-language training for 400 workers, mainly from Poland; and a new £1m Business Gateway centre that is in itself creating 170 jobs. Fiona Hyslop commented; “As the local constituency MSP for Broxburn and a member of the Government-led taskforce, I have always firmly campaigned on behalf of the staff at the Vion Halls plant. “We have always had a strong sense of community in West Lothian. I…

Passenger Use of Bathgate – Airdrie Line Rises by 22% Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that passengers on the new train line which runs from Helensburgh and Balloch to Edinburgh have increased by 22% since the line opened in 2010. This statistic was provided by Transport Minister, Keith Brown during Portfolio Questions in Parliament. The Bathgate - Airdrie Line project also included new stations at Bathgate, Armadale and Blackridge. Fiona commented; “As the local constituency MSP, I am delighted to see these positive figures for the use of the line.” “The rail link has opened up access to and from Glasgow and Edinburgh, provided new jobs and is a welcome upgrade to our local towns. I am very pleased to see that the residents of these towns…

Bathgate Soldier Commemorated in National WWI Exhibition Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, who is pictured with belongings of Corporal Buchanan from Bathgate who fought in the First World War, launched the Exhibition Programme at Edinburgh Castle last week. The Next of Kin exhibition will display memorabilia that has been kept by families of those who were lost during World War One . Fiona said, “We must never forget the impact that the First World War had on our country, our families and out communities. “At the launch of the programme for the National Museum of Scotland, I was privileged to see items belonging to Corporal Buchanan which forms part of the exhibition. Objects included cards he sent to is family, a photo of himself and his medal and letter that…

Hyslop Meets with Armadale Primary at Social Enterprise Event Local MSP Fiona Hyslop met with pupils and staff from Armadale Primary when they visited the Scottish Parliament for an event to celebrate Scotland’s social enterprises and in particular mark their recent win for an ‘Education & Training Social Enterprise (Schools)’ Award. Fiona said, “I was pleased that he pupils from the Enterprise Committee of Armadale Primary had their achievements recognised and it was great to meet them personally last week in Parliament. I also understand that the Primary School Choir singing on the Garden Lobby steps went down very well indeed. “In West Lothian we have a keen interest in social enterprise and it was great to see the pupils’ involvement in learning how they contribute to our lives and…

MSP Supports West Lothian Volunteers on ‘Make A Difference Day’ Local MSP Fiona Hyslop has visited West Lothian Voluntary Sector Gateway and the Barnardos store in Linlithgow to highlight National “Make a Difference Day” which encourages more people to volunteer for with their local charities. Make a Difference Day is on Saturday 27th October 2013, but thousands of “new volunteers” will be giving up their time throughout the next two weeks in support of local charities. Ms Hyslop said; “I always enjoy the opportunity to highlight volunteering and the vital work that our volunteers do.The voluntary sector makes a huge contribution to West Lothian’s social economy. Without their dedication and hard work many of our local charities would not be able to cope. “I was very pleased to meet some…