Category: News

Fiona joins 29,500 West Lothian People to Greet Baton and Bearers Local MSP Fiona Hyslop has celebrated the arrival of the Queen’s Baton in West Lothian on Sunday (15th June) and congratulated the event’s Baton Bearers. Fiona commented: “I was delighted to welcome the Queen’s Baton to West Lothian at the weekend, where I believe an estimated 29,500 people turned out to cheer it across the region. “Crowds came out to support the Queens Baton Relay in all corners of West Lothian. 1,700 people in Broxburn, 1,800 in Armadale, 5,000 in Whitburn, 6,200 in Linlithgow 7,300 in Bathgate and a massive 7,550 in Livingston. “The whole event was very well organised and I would pass on my special congratulations to all our wonderful baton bearers who helped make the event…

Hyslop Welcomes £300,000 Crime Cashback Funding for Linlithgow Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that Linlithgow Leisure Centre will benefit from £300,000 under the Cashback for Communities Scheme to fund a new 3G pitch. Fiona said; “I am delighted that Linlithgow Leisure Centre has been selected to receive £300,000 in funding as part of the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Communities Initiative. “This funding is very encouraging and will allow young people in Linlithgow and surrounding towns the opportunity to further their sporting ambitions and offer them a real chance at sporting success. “In this the year the Commonwealth Games come to Scotland, and in the week that we celebrate the passing of the Commonwealth Baton, I can think of no better time to get young people excited…

Hyslop Welcomes £1,000 Funding for Linlithgow Gala Day Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that £1000 from the Party at the Palace ticket sales has been awarded to the Linlithgow Children’s Gala Day Committee. Fiona commented; “It was great to meet with John Richardson, the event organiser, and representatives from Linlithgow’s Children’s Gala Day and to hear how their event is helping local organisations in the community. “I understand from Party at the Palace, that Mr Richardson’s has sourced a number of supporters locally, putting the benefits of the event right back into the community. The organising of this event has already received very positive feedback from local businesses and residents alike as people see the importance of putting Linlithgow centre stage as a cultural venue. “I wish…

Hyslop Congratulates Highland Games and Pipe Band Championships Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop has congratulated the organisers or the West Lothian Highlands Games and the British Pipe Band Championships after a combined event on Saturday 31st May in Bathgate. Fiona said; “I would like to pay tribute to Matt Purdie and his team for such a wonderful day. The professionalism of the organisation shone through and resulted in a fantastic turn out for the two events.” ENDS Fiona Hyslop wore Enable Scotland’s aTartan Scarf to the events as part of their #TartanOnTour Campaign. www.enable.org.uk

Hyslop Supports Linlithgow Big Dance for the Commonwealth Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has congratulated the schools and pupils involved in Friday’s (16th May) Linlithgow Schools Cluster Games Opening Ceremony. In her role as Culture Secretary she has been instrumental in the roll out of the Big Dance as part of the Commonwealth Celebrations in Scotland and abroad. 750 pupils took part in a Big Dance to mark the opening of the Linlithgow Schools Cluster Games which began during the week commencing 19th. Commenting after the event, Fiona said, “It was wonderful to see so many young people excited to take part in in the Commonwealth School Cluster Games opening ceremony and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the Schools’ Choir. I was proud of the young people of Linlithgow and their…

Westminster Finally Agrees to SNP Demands Tuesday, 6th May 2014 Linlithgow MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that Westminster will finally heed the SNP’s calls to allow the Scottish Government to provide much needed support to those hit by the Tory/Lib Dem coalition’s hated Bedroom Tax. “After months of ignoring our requests to lift the cap on Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP), Westminster has finally listened. This is a victory for those in West Lothian affected by the Bedroom Tax. “The Scottish Government was able to top up the Discretionary Housing Payments by £378,129 for West Lothian residents last October and with this announcement from Westminster we will be able to do so much more. “The Bedroom Tax is a hugely unfair policy and will hit the poorest and most…

Cabinet Secretary Welcomes Cultural Cooperation During Poland Visit Scotland and Poland have a strong history of cultural cooperation which we must build on, Culture and External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop has said. Speaking during her visit to Poland Ms Hyslop said that as well as valuing the economic contribution Poles make to Scottish society, it was important to recognise the strong cultural links between the two countries going back centuries. During her visit on Monday and Tuesday of this week, Ms Hyslop visited Krakow – the seventh Unesco City of Literature. Edinburgh was the first City of Literature and the two cities are working together and sharing experiences. She hosted lunch for key Polish cultural figures, including representatives of the Krakow Festival, the Director of the International Cultural Centre in…

Dial 111 for New Free Health Helpline Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has highlighted the new free NHS 24 helpline number launched by the Health Secretary Yesterday. As of Wednesday, 30 April, people looking for medical help and advice can contact NHS 24 for free by calling 111. “As a parent myself, I know people want to be able to speak to someone on the phone at the weekend or in the evening when GP surgeries are not open. “By introducing the free 111 number, the Government have removed any barrier for the public to access the health service out of hours. The number is easy to remember and can be used from both landlines and mobiles. “In Scotland, the 111 number will be run by NHS 24 as a public…

Hyslop Marks West Lothian International Workers Memorial Day April 28th 2014 Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop attended West Lothian’s International Workers Memorial Day in Bathgate on Monday (28th April). Commenting on the day, Fiona said; “I am always pleased to attend such an important event, to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day - a tribute in remembering workers who have died, been injured or made seriously ill through work. “West Lothian was an early pioneer of commemorating this day and would like to thank West Lothian Trades Council for organising the service. “This day is about marking international solidarity, the need for political and legal change but it is also about people – the people we have lost and those that are still living. The 28th of April memorial day helps…

Hyslop Welcomes £24.378m Funding for St John’s Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the recent announcement from last week’s NHS Lothian Board Meeting where it was agreed that £24.378 million of investment would go to St Johns Hospital over the 2014/15 to 2017/18 period. £17 Million of which will be earmarked for ‘capacity developments’. Fiona commented; “This is fantastic news for patients across West Lothian. I am pleased that NHS Lothian understands the importance of St John’s in our community. “West Lothian has the fifth largest increase in population in Scotland since 2001, with a 10% rise in the number of under 5s so I am particularly pleased that special attention will be paid to Maternity and Special Care baby Units at St Johns. “NHS Lothian is clearly working hard…