Category: News

Hyslop Encourages Local Businesses to Prepare for Brexit  Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, is encouraging business in West Lothian to prepare for Brexit and highlights the Scottish Government’s web links which offer support and advice as the process continues. Fiona said: “With continued uncertainty around Brexit, it is more important than ever that we all do what we can to support our local businesses in preparing for a variety of potential scenarios as the ULK prepares to leave the EU. “Even if your business does not export or import to the EU, it will still be impacted by the UK leaving the EU. It is important that our local businesses have access to this information as soon as possible. The website links below features a Brexit self-assessment tool which…

Businesses in West Lothian Benefit from £6,565,000 in Business Rate Support Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed recent figures which show that the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus Scheme provided £6,565,000 of support for businesses across West Lothian in 2017/18 – an 25.9% rise on the previous year. The Small Business Bonus Scheme, delivered by the SNP in 2008/09, supports local firms by reducing their rates liability or taking firms out of business rates altogether. Fiona commented; “The Scottish Government’s commitment to small businesses is clear. They are at the heart of our communities and bring economic growth and local employment to our towns and villages. “Businesses across West Lothian have benefitted from a massive £6,565,000 in rates support in 2017/18. This is a rise of over 25% on…

Hyslop Attends Official Opening of Blackburn Partnership Centre Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has attended the official opening of the new Partnership Centre in Blackburn. The new £8.2 million building includes health and council services as well as community services for local residents. The Partnership which has been use since last year was officially opened on Friday, 1st March. Fiona commented; “I was very pleased to attend the official opening of Blackburn Partnership Centre and to have a tour round the building. “The centre is a great facility for the people of Blackburn, with new services including a new GP Practice, a library, sports hall credit union and employability service and it is open and accessible to all. “It is an important space that allows for greater integration between our…

Hyslop Welcomes Funding Boost for West Lothian GP Practices Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the announcement that GP practices in West Lothian could receive a funding boost this year. The Scottish Government has announced that an additional £20 million support will be given to GP practices across Scotland to help with the costs of running their practices. The ‘GP Premises Sustainability Loan Scheme’ aims to ease the financial burden associated with owning a General Practice – in turn helping to improve recruitment and retention. It means that GPs who own their own premises can apply for long term interest-free loans worth up to 20% of their practice’s value. 15 GP Practices in the Lothian region have already successfully applied for the GP Premises Sustainability Loan Scheme. Fiona…

  Fiona Hyslop Local MSP Welcomes Veterans Minister to Bathgate Korean War Memorial (photo attached of Fiona Hyslop MSP with Graeme Dey, Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans and two members of the British Korean War Veterans Association, Adam McKenzie and Ronnie Wilson.) Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow Constituency invited the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans, Graeme Dey, to visit the Korean War Memorial in the Bathgate Hills. Fiona wrote to the Minister asking that he encourage Transport Scotland to find a way of including the Korean War Memorial in Bathgate on the current M9 Brown signs and to add a new sign on the M8. Fiona commented,  “I was pleased to welcome the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans to my constituency and introduce him to members of…

Hyslop Welcomes Local Services Investment from Scottish Budget Local Linlithgow MSP has welcomed the Scottish Government’s Budget which passed through Parliament yesterday (Thursday 31st January) which includes an increase in investment for local services. Holyrood has backed the SNP’s budget plans, offering economic stability in the face of Brexit while giving a cash boost to the NHS, schools and other vital services. Fiona said, “Despite a real term cut from Westminster of almost £2 billion in a decade to Scotland’s block resource grant, the Scottish Government is proposing additional funding of almost £730 million for Scotland’s health and care services – including £57.2m for NHS Lothian. “Under the deal reached, West Lothian Council will receive an additional £14.26m in spending power compared to last year’s budget as part of a total…

  Hyslop congratulates Hideaway Café on Top Awards Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has met Paul Gray and his team at the Hideaway Café at Beecraigs to congratulate them on their accolades including their ‘Free From’ range of food on offer. The Hideaway has a full gluten free menu and offers a variety of food that are both gluten and diary free. Fiona said, “It was a pleasure to meet Paul and his team at the Hideaway Café this week (Monday 28th Jan) in the stunning surroundings of Beecraigs Park. “I have congratulated Paul on winning a number of hospitality awards including Best Newcomer; Best Café or Teashop and Best Focus on Gluten. The café also has an Eat Safe Award, a recognition for their ‘Free From’ range which…

24/7 Services Return to St John’s Children’s Ward Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that the Children’s Ward at St John’s Hospital will return to 24/7 operating hours on Mondays to Thursdays from March 2019 and all week from October 2019. The announcement was made by Jeane Freeman, Health Secretary in the Scottish Government during at statement to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon. (Tuesday, 29 January). Fiona commented; “I am delighted that the Scottish Government Health Secretary, Jeane Freeman, has announced that St John’s Children’s Ward will return to 24/7 services Monday – Thursday from March and 7 days a week from October. Ms Freeman promised the Scottish Parliament and the people of West Lothian in September (2018) that she would update Parliament in January following…

SNP Politicians Demand Urgent 'Re-think' of Santander Branch Closures The SNP have called on Santander to undertake an urgent “re-think” of the 15 branches in Scotland which face closure this year. It was announced today that Santander plan to close local branches in Aberdeen, Alloa, Bathgate, Brechin, Edinburgh, Forfar, Glasgow, Helensburgh, Kirkcaldy, Lanark, Renfrew, St Andrews, and Troon. This is just the latest round of bank closures to hit communities across Scotland. Since 2015 more than 230 bank branches in Scotland have been shut or marked for closure and research suggests that local branches are closing faster in Scotland than any other part of the UK. Santander intend to close 140 branches, putting almost 1,300 jobs at risk. The branches are due to close throughout the year, with the first…

Hyslop Welcomes U-Turn on Settled Status Fee for EU Citizens Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that the Prime Minister has decided to scrap the hugely controversial Settled Status fee for EU citizens, following a successful campaign by the SNP and the 3 Million Campaign. In December in the Scottish Parliament, on a motion from the Scottish Government, all parties except the Tories backed calls for the UK government to drop the fee. The Scottish Government had previously committed to paying the fees for all public sector workers in Scotland. Commenting, Fiona said; “EU Nationals in West Lothian should never have been asked to pay this fee in order to remain in their own homes and maintain the rights they already have. “I am pleased the…