Category: News in Lothian

HYSLOP WELCOMES ZERO WASTE PLAN SNP MSP for Lothians, Fiona Hyslop as welcomed the Scottish Government’s Zero Waste Plan, published today. (09.06.10) The plan sets out key actions, including new targets, to tackle the near 20 million tonnes of waste produced by Scotland every year. It aims to drive change and inspire households, businesses, community groups, local authorities and the wider public sector to change the way they view and deal with waste. (1) Commenting on the announcement, Ms Hyslop said: “In West Lothian, we are very environmentally aware. On the whole our recycling efforts are impressive and many of us were keen to take part in such initiatives as WWF’s Earth Hour in March this year. “Even in schools, pupils are actively involved in global issues; 89 out of…

William Wallace 14/06/2010 A group of respected historians and archivists is to take a closer look at a letter widely believed to have been in the possession of Sir William Wallace. Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop has asked the Keeper of the National Archives of Scotland to assemble a group of experts that would be best-placed to establish exactly where and why the letter was produced. The medieval history experts - from Scotland, England and France - will investigate the 700 year old document, held at The National Archives in London, and produce a report to Scottish and UK Government Ministers that will then allow discussions on the status of the document. The National Archives of Scotland has uploaded a high-resolution image of the document to its website to allow people…

HYSLOP WELCOMES SECOND HOMECOMING IN 2014 SNP MSP Fiona Hyslop has today welcomed the news that the Scottish Government has announced a second Homecoming Celebration in 2014. Homecoming 2014 will take place in the year that Scotland hosts the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup and marks the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn. Ms Hyslop commented: “This is fantastic news for West Lothian and Scotland as a whole. “Last year the people of West Lothian celebrated their roots by holding or attending hundreds of events in across the country, including musical performances in Bathgate and a party at Linlithgow Palace. “Homecoming 2009 was an excellent way of showcasing our country and attracting tourism from all over the world and I am confident that the next Homecoming Celebrations will…

Lothians SNP MSP Fiona Hyslop has written to Linlithgow Rose Football Club to congratulate them on their 1 – 0 Junior Cup Final victory yesterday. (Sunday 23rd May) Linlithgow Rose Football Club beat Largs Thistle FC 1-0 on Sunday; this was the teams 3rd win in eight years. Speaking after she attended the match in Linlithgow Ms Hyslop said: “I am delighted that Linlithgow Rose triumphed this afternoon in the junior cup final. “Football holds a unique place in the lives and hearts of the Scottish people, particularly today in Linlithgow and I am so pleased I was able to support my local team in one of their most important games to date.”

Fiona Hyslop MSP for Lothians today welcomed a statement from Tesco Supermarket that the chain wants to see minimum pricing for alcohol introduced and has called on other supermarket chains to support the move. [1] Ms Hyslop said: “I am extremely pleased to see that Tesco have stated that they too want to see curbs on the sale of cheap alcohol in the same year that the Scottish Government wants to introduce minimum pricing per unit on alcohol. “It is very encouraging that Tesco’s action comes with the support of their customers showing that people want to see steps put in place to change our relationship with alcohol and I hope that our supermarket in Linlithgow will back the requests of its consumers. “I plan to write to other retailers…

Monday, 24 May 2010 HYSLOP SUPPORTS WOMEN CAN’T WAIT Fiona Hyslop MSP is backing Concern Worldwide’s campaign to support poor women in their fight against hunger Fiona Hyslop MSP for Lothians is backing Concern Worldwide’s ‘Women Can’t Wait’ campaign. International humanitarian agency, Concern Worldwide launched their ‘Women Can’t Wait’ campaign in the Scottish Parliament last week. The campaign launch, hosted by long standing champion of humanitarian issues, Jack McConnell MSP, provided a platform for the unheard voices of women marginal farmers in the developing world by calling on the UN and world leaders to act now to support poor women who are working to defeat hunger. The ‘Woman Can’t Wait’ campaign draws attention to the fact that, despite commitments made by world leaders in 2000 to ‘end poverty by 2015’,…

Fiona Hyslop, SNP MSP Lothians, has welcomed the announcement that the Scottish Government has provided funding to support the Keep Scotland Beautiful annual National Spring Clean Campaign, which takes place throughout the month of April. Already, 6 clean up events have been organised across Linlithgow and registered on the campaign website [1]. Anyone who registers a Clean-Up event on the campaign website will be sent a free clean-up pack including tabards, posters, stickers and bin bags. Commenting, Ms Hyslop said: “The National Spring Clean campaign is a way for everyone to get involved in keeping their local area clean and tidy, and showing a sense of community pride. “It’s also good exercise and there’s a real sense of achievement looking round at litter-free streets and parks. “I would encourage the…

SNP MSP for Lothians, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news announced at the SNP Conference in Aviemore this weekend that this autumn shall see the start of Universal Health Checks for those aged 40 – 74 in West Lothian. Commenting, Ms Hyslop said: “This is great news for the people of West Lothian as it will help to identify heart disease, diabetes and signs of a stroke at a much earlier stage. “I am confident that wherever the pilot services take place it will show positive steps towards creating a healthier region and a healthier Scotland. “This health check is universal and will benefit everyone in West Lothian between the ages of 40 and 74 and I strongly urge my constituents to take advantage of this scheme when it comes…

Fiona Hyslop MSP has welcomed the news that 5,357 small businesses across West Lothian can benefit from as much as £4000 under the enhanced Small Business Bonus Scheme. Under the new, expanded scheme that comes into affect on the 1st of April 2010: Businesses with a rateable value of £10,000 or less will have their business rates ABOLISHED. Businesses with a rateable value between £10,000 and £12,000 will have business rates HALVED. Businesses with a rateable value between £12,000 and £18,000 will have their business rates REDUCED BY A QUARTER. Businesses with small chains of properties with a cumulative rateable value under £25,000 will have their business rates REDUCED BY A QUARTER. Ms Hyslop commented: “I am delighted that this worthy scheme has been extended to benefit small businesses in…

SNP MSP Fiona Hyslop has today visited the site where the new Airdrie – Bathgate Rail Link is to be built. The first piece of track was laid this afternoon in Bathgate. Ms Hyslop met with Network Rail Director, Scotland, Ron McAuley and was given a short tour of the site before witnessing the track being laid. Commenting after the visit, Ms Hyslop said: “It is fantastic to see the first track being laid on the Airdrie – Bathgate Line. “This line will open up the heart of Scotland with benefits to constituents and allow easier access to jobs across the central belt. It will also provide opportunity for a housing boom in Armadale and Blackridge in particular. “I am pleased to see the line is progressing and I look…