Category: News in Lothian

HYSLOP CONFIRMS SNP COMMITMENT TO ARTS NATIONAL BOOK WEEK ESTABLISHED; EXPO FUND EXTENDED Fiona Hyslop has today (Monday) committed a re-elected SNP Government to developing and supporting the talent of Scotland’s artists as she visited 'The Artists’ Town' of Kirkcudbright. Ms Hyslop confirmed that a re-elected SNP Government would expand the highly successful Expo Fund and Made in Scotland scheme for the next Parliament. The Expo fund and Made in Scotland showcase the best of Scottish performing talent. Fiona Hyslop joined SNP Candidate for Galloway and West Dumfries, Aileen McLeod to meet with artists and gallery owners in Kirkcudbright famed for its local artists. The Galloway and West Dumfries constituency also includes Wigtown, home of the internationally renowned book festival. Ms Hyslop confirmed that a re-elected SNP Government would establish…

SNP Holyrood Candidate Fiona Hyslop Opens Bathgate Campaign House Linlithgow SNP candidate for the Scottish Parliament, Fiona Hyslop, has opened her campaign house for the coming election at 72, Kirk Road, Bathgate. A gathering of SNP activists in West Lothian met on Saturday afternoon to launch their new SNP campaign house that will act as the base for the campaign to re-elect Fiona at the Holyrood elections on 5 May. Fiona Hyslop commented: “As ever, the SNP’s campaign is an active one, and focused on meeting and listening to the voters. I am determined to work hard for every vote, and take nothing at all for granted in this campaign. “Our campaign house offices will allow our volunteers a place to work, but it is also a place for people…

ALEX SALMOND KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN IN HOME TOWN OF LINLITHGOW SNP Leader, Alex Salmond visited Linlithgow to kick start the SNP Campaign in his home town and to highlight one of the Scottish Government’s most successful achievements, the small business bonus scheme. Alex Salmond was on the campaign trail to support Linlithgow SNP Candidate, Fiona Hyslop. Alex visited a number of businesses in Linlithgow including the Taste café and the chocolate shop in the town. Commenting, Ms Hyslop said; “It is great to have the support of Alex Salmond so early in the campaign. “Here in West Lothian, small businesses form the heart of our community. The Scottish Government has been working hard to help these businesses through the recession, making savings and saving jobs. “Our small business bonus has…

[caption id="attachment_339" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Fiona Hyslop MSP and Councillor Willie Boyle at Boghall Primary"][/caption] HYSLOP HIGHLIGHTS FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT IN BOGHALL Fiona Hyslop MSP for Lothians has today (Friday 03 March)visited Boghall Primary to highlight their Fairtrade efforts as the school works towards achieving Fairtrade status. In the past Boghall Academy have organised a Fairtrade tombola stalls at local fayres, poster and art work competitions, Fairtrade raffles and even started up a Fairtrade tuck shop open every Friday. Commenting after the visit, Ms Hyslop said; “This visit was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the importance of Fairtrade status within our local community. “It is vital to support our local Fairtrade organisations and events. Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, ensuring fairer prices and better working conditions. “I was extremely impressed…

HYSLOP SUPPORTS CASE FOR FAIR FUEL WITH WEST LOTHIAN TAXIS SNP JOIN TAXI DRIVERS TO PUSH FOR FAIR FUEL SNP MSP for Lothians, Fiona Hyslop has supported local taxi drivers after they arrived outside the Scottish Parliament today to demonstrate against the high cost of fuel prices and calls upon the UK Government to scrap its planned fuel duty increase and implement a fuel duty regulator. Speaking after the demonstration that was attended by SNP MSPs and several SNP staff members, Ms Hyslop said; “This demonstration has clearly shown how strong the public feels against the high cost of fuel and the impact that it is having on local businesses and families. “Across West Lothian, taxi drivers, whose jobs’ depends on being on the road are struggling with this already…

[caption id="attachment_330" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Fiona Hyslop MSP signing her support for Scottish Tourism "][/caption] HYSLOP ENCOURAGES SCOTTISH TOURISM AS EDINBURGH CASTLE NAMED TOP TOURIST ATTRACTION Fiona Hyslop MSP for Lothians has praised Edinburgh Castle for being named Scotland’s Top Tourist Attraction by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions and has encouraged her constituents to back our local tourism industry. Fiona Hyslop commented, “I am delighted that Edinburgh Castle has achieved this status and I am not surprised that it has gathered so many visitors and so much support throughout the year. “Tourism is essential to our economy and our local community and we are very lucky to have such experiences and attractions on our doorstep. “We also have a fantastic heritage in West Lothian with our magnificent Linlithgow Palace and…

Monday, 14 February 2011 HYSLOP HIGHLIGHTS BATHGATE BUSINESS BONUS On Friday (11 February 2011) SNP MSP Fiona Hyslop has visited Genius - Children’s Schoolwear and Dancewear Shop in Bathgate, to highlight the 1,541 small businesses in West Lothian that are already benefiting from the Scottish Business Bonus. Commenting, Ms Hyslop said; “Here in Bathgate, small businesses form the heart of our community. The Scottish Government has been working hard to help these businesses through the recession, making savings and saving jobs. “Our small business bonus has cut or abolished rates for 80,000 small businesses across Scotland and no less than 1,541 in West Lothian, saving on average £2,957 locally. “The SNP has also delivered 20,000 modern apprenticeship places in the past year - the highest number on record and a…

HYSLOP WELCOMES WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL BUDGET SNP MSP for Lothians, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that West Lothian Council is the first local authority to set next year’s budget. Ms Hyslop said; “West Lothian Council have agreed to freeze the Council Tax for a fourth year – this is great news and I am delighted that this was made possible from the Scottish Government fully funding the freeze. “I am very pleased at the £3 million proposal to provide housing for the elderly in Broxburn, to help drive forward class size reduction, and to ensure that a safer neighbourhood unit will be fuelled by 21 additional police officers. “The SNP led West Lothian Council has worked hard to consult with the public in having to deal with cuts caused…

New Year Message from Fiona Hyslop MSP December 2010 “I would like to wish my constituents all the very best for the festive period and for the year ahead. “The past few weeks have seen some very good news for West Lothian with the new Bathgate – Airdrie railway line opening, in particular the new stations at Armadale and Blackridge, offering commuters much easier means of travel. These improvements to the transport network through West Lothian will make a huge difference to the economic and employment opportunities across the region. “As well as the employment prospects with the new railway line, the new M8 upgrade is also forecast to create 8000 jobs and bring in £1.1billion for the economy. With the upgraded transport network the area will become even more…

Monday, December 20th 2010 SNP MSP for Lothians Fiona Hyslop has appealed to ScotRail in order to raise her concerns about communication issues for constituents when commuting in and out of West Lothian. Recent bad weather conditions have left constituents in West Lothian unable to access accurate information from the ScotRail website. Ms Hyslop, who has personally been stuck at Linlithgow station with her constituents, is calling on ScotRail to improve communications for commuters. Ms Hyslop said, “I understand that the severity of the recent weather has caused serious difficulties to those in West Lothian, but ScotRail must improve their communications for commuters. “I have personally fallen victim to the lack of transport in West Lothian along with my constituents, having been stranded at Linlithgow station for three and a…