Category: News in Lothian

Monday 12th February 2024 Commenting on her new role, Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency said:   “It is a privilege to be re-joining the Scottish Government as Cabinet Secretary (Designate) for Transport, appointed by First Minister Humza Yousaf. “For the last 8 months I have served in the Scottish Government as Minister for Transport, and I am pleased to see this important portfolio elevated to Cabinet level. “Transport is a key service and an enabler for economic development and is also important to securing carbon reduction in Scotland. “This is of course a challenging remit, and I am pleased to be joined in this transport portfolio by Jim Fairlie MSP who will join the Scottish Government as Minister (Designate) for Agriculture and Connectivity. To avoid conflicts of interests…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights automatic payments to help families with cost of living. Over 43,000 payments have been automatically awarded to help parents and carers with the cost of living and starting school, latest official figures show. The introduction of automatic payments means that thousands of people receiving Scottish Child Payment have been awarded Best Start Grant Early Learning and School Age Payments without the need to apply separately. Each benefit awards people one-off payments of £294.70 per child, helping with costs like clothes, toys and school trips. Commenting Fiona said: "The introduction of automatic payments means families can quickly receive financial aid to support their child's development. "Those eligible should receive these payments automatically, however I would urge those who don’t to check if…

“It was good to attend Winchburgh Developments local stakeholder meeting. “This was a useful opportunity for everyone present to understand the challenges and opportunities in securing the station. “It was clear that there is cross-party support amongst Councillors, Regional MSPs and myself, as the local Constituency MSP, to work together to help progress proposals for the station.” ENDS

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights World Wetlands Day 2024. World Wetlands Day raises awareness about Wetlands and celebrates the anniversary of the Convention on Wetlands, which was adopted as an international treaty in 1971. Blawhorn Moss near Blackridge is a wetland with blanket bog. Commenting Fiona said: “I am proud to be Scottish Environment Links Nature Champion for Scotland's Extraordinary Blanket Bogs. "Almost 90% of the worlds Wetlands have been degraded since the 1700s. We are also losing Wetlands three times faster than forests which is why World Wetlands Day is so important. "This year, the theme for World Wetlands Day is 'Wetlands and Human Wellbeing.' This theme highlights how interconnected Wetlands and human life are, as Wetlands are important sites for biodiversity, climate mitigation and…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights news that Scotland’s renewables sector has hit a landmark achievement – generating more than 100% of Scotland’s electricity demand for the first time. For the first time, Scotland’s green sector has delivered more energy than has been used in Scotland. New figures show that renewable technologies generated the equivalent of 113% of Scotland’s overall electricity consumption in 2022. Commenting Fiona said: “This is a significant milestone in Scotland’s journey to Net Zero as figures from 2022 show that, for the first time, Scotland has produced more renewable energy than it has consumed. “It is clear that Scotland has the energy and resources to thrive in a more sustainable future. “The Scottish Government is committed to reaching Net Zero and investing in…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes the 2024-25 Scottish Budget which has targeted resources as those who need them most as we continue to deal with the impacts of the Cost of Living Crisis. The 2024-25 Scottish Budget was commended to the Scottish Parliament by Deputy First Minister, Shona Robison, in a statement to the Chamber on Tuesday 19th December 2023. Commenting Fiona said: “This is a budget which reflects the shared values of our nation and speaks to the kind of Scotland that we want to be, and I was proud to see the Scottish Government choose to invest in our people and public services as we go into the new year. “The Scottish Government have refused to follow the spending decisions of the UK Government…

Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, highlights local services which may be of use to local residents of West Lothian over the festive period and winter. There are services available to help local residents with energy costs, benefits, housing, debt, immigration and utility issues. Fiona commented: ‘This has been an exceptionally difficult year for many as we continue to face the Cost of Living Crisis. ‘It is important to highlight to the residents of West Lothian where they can seek advice and guidance. We have some great services in West Lothian including the Advice Shop, West Lothian Citizens Advice Bureau, as well as services such as the Food Bank, Food Train, and the School Bank. ‘There are also national organisations which can be of help such as NHS Inform, the National…

Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the 100 million free bus journeys made by under 22s across Scotland since the Scottish Government introduced its Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme one year ago. Fiona marked the milestone announcement recently in her role as Minister for Transport. Fiona commented, “I’m really pleased to see that over 100 million journeys have now been made by under 22s across Scotland – and that the scheme is making a positive difference to young peoples’ lives. “Many young people in West Lothian rely on local bus services and it is estimated that over the lifetime of a child and young person families can save £3,000 if full use is made of free bus travel with the card. “The scheme has also allowed young people…

December 2023 “2023 will have been a challenging year for many with the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis, with rising energy and food bills a worry to many. That is why the Scottish Government introduced the Scottish Child Payment and a number of Best Start grants to help families with children in particular. We need to look out for each other and I would like to thank all the community and voluntary groups who give their time to help others in our West Lothian communities. I also know many of you will have serious concerns about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and as your MSP I supported the call by the Scottish Government  for a complete ceasefire to stop the killing of innocent people many of them children. Peace in…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop MSP, is alerting Constituents who receive the Best Start Food Benefit to check their balance as it is revealed that many who have applied have not yet activated their card, meaning they have yet to access vital funds they are entitled to. Letters will be sent to eligible families in West Lothian from Social Security Scotland ahead of Christmas. The Best Start Food Grant is a Scottish Social Security Benefit for lower income families and is paid to pregnant women or their partners and families who have children aged up to 3 years old. It is part of a wider package of five family payments including: Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment and…