Category: News in Lothian

Local MSP Highlights Action on Tobacco and Vaping as West Lothian sees Seizures of Illegal VapesLocal MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights new measures to protect children and young people and reduce preventable deaths. New proposed legislation will ban the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 and will allow for tougher measures on vaping. The Scottish Government have already published proposals to ban the sale of single use vapes in Scotland using existing environmental powers. Commenting Fiona said: “Scotland has been a world leader on a range of tobacco control measures, and I am pleased to see this new proposed legislation which prioritises protecting children and young people from the harms associated with tobacco use and vaping. “We are all aware that…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, who helped the Aspire Fundraising Group secure additional funding from Historic Environment Scotland to complete the repair of the Spire, commented, "I am very pleased to see Aspire Linlithgow's fundraising pay off as the new Golden Spire atop of St Michael's Church becomes visible. I was also pleased to attend their Reception at Hopetoun House to mark the success of the first phase of the restoration. "I want to pass on my congratulations to all involved for their tireless work and fundraising to make this possible." ENDS

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, visited Cycling UK’s exhibition stand in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 14th March. The exhibition was visited by 47 MSPs and provided information on the benefits of cycling. Commenting Fiona said: “I was pleased to visit the Cycling UK exhibition held in the Scottish Parliament to hear more about their work and how their projects are helping to improve health, fitness and encourage active travel which helps to fight climate change and reduce our carbon footprint. “We are very lucky to have the 1km floodlit Cycle Circuit in Linlithgow providing people across West Lothian with a safe, traffic free cycling environment.” ENDS

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed new figures for Scotland’s housing market which show that 1,485 houses were completed in West Lothian in 2022/23. Figures from the Scottish Government show that the total supply of new houses in Scotland in 2022/23 reached 24,368 up 10% (or 2,161 homes) on 2021/22. Of these figures 98% were completed new builds. Commenting Fiona said: “Housing supply is a key issue in West Lothian, and it is vital that we continue to increase the number of good affordable houses available in the market. “I welcome this new analysis which shows that 24,368 homes were completed in Scotland in 2022/23, with 1,485 of these being in West Lothian. “These figures indicate that last year saw the highest number of completions since…

Local MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights the passing of the Scottish Government’s Budget Bill on Tuesday 27th February. MSPs passed the 2024-25 Scottish Budget Bill with spending commitments including: £13.2 billion for frontline NHS boards, over £1.5 billion for policing and nearly £400 million to support the fire service Over £5 billion to help create jobs, support businesses, aid the transition to net zero and fund public transport to provide viable alternatives to car use £6.3 billion for social security benefits, £200 million to help tackle the poverty-related attainment gap and £1.5 million to cancel school meal debt Over £14 billion for local authorities – the highest settlement yet delivered for local government The First Minister also announced an extra £62.7m funding for Local Councils across Scotland. Commenting…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes new figures showing that 51,594 baby boxes have been delivered to support expectant parents across NHS Lothian. Over 292,000 baby boxes have been delivered to expectant parents across Scotland, since the launch of the scheme in 2017. This has provided around £420 worth of essential items for their new-born. Commenting Fiona said; “I welcome these new figures showing that 51,594 baby boxes have been delivered to expectant parents across NHS Lothian. “It is clear that as we continue to face the Cost of Living crisis, the SNP Scottish Government are choosing to prioritise supporting families and ensuring that young people have a secure and healthy start to life. “This policy is having a significant positive influence on the health outcomes of…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, is marking International Women’s Day 2024. International Women’s Day 2024 was celebrated on Friday 8th March. UN Women’s theme for this International Women’s Day is ‘Invest in women: accelerate progress’. Fiona said: “The world is currently facing many crises from conflicts, raising poverty rates and climate change and these challenges need to be addressed with solutions which empower women. “Gender inequality remains one of our biggest challenges globally and we must work together to address this issue. “I am pleased to see the Scottish Government playing their part in addressing this issue by supporting the Women and Girls Fund with £3 million from the Scottish Government’s International Development Fund over four years. “The fund will support women and girls in Malawi, Rwanda…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed an additional £2m of Scottish Government Funding for Rape Crisis Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid allowing sexual assault survivors and victims of domestic abuse to access the support they need, when they need it. Fiona commented, “Far too many women across West Lothian and Scotland suffer as a result of gender-based violence. “According to West Lothian’s Health and Social Care Partnership Study into gender-based violence in the county, and as published in their Strategy Plan, 2020-21 saw 2,693 incidents of domestic abuse recorded, an increase of 18% when compared to the previous year. “West Lothian also had a higher incident rate of domestic abuse recorded by Police Scotland per 10,000 head of population (126 compared with 115 nationally). The Strategy…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, attended a dining night at the Scottish Parliament hosted by West Lothian College on Tuesday 27th February. Following the event, Fiona commented: “I was pleased to attend the Holyrood Dining Room in the Scottish Parliament where professional cookery students from West Lothian College cooked and served an excellent menu. “The five-course menu included a salmon and haddock starter, a flat iron steak and an excellent warm chocolate fondant desert. “The students from West Lothian College not only cooked a wonderful meal but also provided excellent service. “Congratulations to the staff and students involved in serving delicious, flavoursome food, so well-presented and served by the attentive waiting staff.” ENDS

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, visited the Armadale Shed on Friday 16th February. The Armadale Shed is a community run space which provides people the opportunity to showcase their existing hobbies, try out something new or even just pop along for a chat. Last year, a fire broke out at the Armadale Shed, damaging the building, tools and machinery inside. Following the visit, Fiona commented: "I was pleased to visit the Armadale Shed to see the progress the members have made on repair work since the fire there in March 2023. "The Armadale Shed is such a vital part of the community as it provides a space for people to learn new hobbies and share expertise, as well as giving people the opportunity to socialise. "I would…