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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes the news of a confirmed package of support from the Scottish Government which includes a new £6.5 million Childcare Sector Omicron Impacts Fund to provide one-off grants to the childcare sector this financial year. This fund will make one-off grants available to all private and third sector day care of children providers and all childminding services who were registered with the Care Inspectorate on 31st December 2021. The one-off grants are in recognition of the challenging circumstances in which these services have been operating. Fiona commented: ‘Childcare providers across Scotland have experienced acute challenges throughout the pandemic, and I am pleased that funding has been announced to help private and third sector childcare providers. ‘I know many childcare providers in West…

Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency is encouraging young women to volunteer with the Girlguides in West Lothian after Girlguiding Scotland issued a call out for local volunteers. Girlguiding Scotland have said that over 300 young women and girls are currently on waiting lists to be Rainbows, Brownies, Guides or Rangers. Fiona said, “As a former Brownie, Girlguide and Ranger Guide, I am aware of the values and experience that the guides offer young girls, preparing them for adult life and offering support and guidance. “Girlguiding is a great initiative to be part of, to help inspire and celebrate the next generation of women and I would recommend getting in touch with Girlguiding Scotland if you or anyone you know has considered volunteering with them.” Visit www.girlguidingscotland.org.uk/get-involved/ to find…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the impact of a scheme aimed at helping homes become warmer, more comfortable and more affordable to heat in her constituency. Warmer Homes Scotland is the Scottish Government’s national fuel poverty scheme which has supported 313 people in Linlithgow since its launch in 2015, with each of the homes saving an average of £265 on their energy bills. The Warmer Homes Scotland scheme provides a step-by-step service to identify where energy improvements can be made and arranges for these to be carried out. The scheme offers new central heating systems, including renewable heating technologies, in all property types and in all regions across Scotland. All work carried out as part of the scheme is undertaken by registered and accredited local…

Hyslop welcomes the announcement from NHS Lothian that 24/7 paediatric services at St. Johns can resume this autumn. NHS Lothian will reinstate paediatric services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from October, to enhance the care already provided to children in West Lothian. The details were agreed by NHS Lothian board members at their meeting on Wednesday 12th August. This means that inpatient paediatrics will be extended from functioning four nights a week, to seven days and nights by October 19th, 2020. Parents and families are not required to do anything differently as a result of the change and will still access care in the normal way, through NHS 24, their GP or the Emergency Department. Fiona commented: ‘This is great news for West Lothian families. St Johns…

  Hyslop Marks Missing Piece Campaign with Scottish Youth Parliament On World Children’s Rights Day (Wed 20th November) and to mark the 30th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop met with Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament to highlight their Missing Piece to Childhood Adversity campaign. Fiona was invited to place a jigsaw piece as part of a design which frames the Adverse Childhood Experiences Conversation. Fiona said, “It was a pleasure to visit the Scottish Youth Parliament to meet the team behind this campaign and chat to some of the members of the Scottish Youth Parliament. “This resource aims to spread awareness of childhood adversity and I was delighted to support the campaign on UNICEF’s World Children’s Day,…

Fiona Hyslop Comments on Scotrail Delays: “I am aware from the number of constituency correspondence I receive that passengers are not happy with the extent of the delays in recent months with most of the delays due to Network Rail controlled by Westminster. The delayed introduction of new trains has been caused by staffing issues and an over time ban by staff which is being resolved. “Raising the cost of fares and not improving services is simply unacceptable. Passengers deserve a seat on the train they pay for and they depend on a timely service.  “In December the Transport Secretary Michael Matheson ordered Scotrail to submit a remedial plan outlining how it planned to address performance issues within eight weeks. "Rail remains a reserved matter under the Scotland Act. Until…

Hyslop Calls for RBS to Think Again on Linlithgow Closure Local MSP Fiona Hyslop is calling for the Royal Bank of Scotland to reconsider plans to close their Linlithgow branch, after a shock announcement that the bank plans a series of closures across the country. As a reserved issue, the UK Government is responsible for the regulation of banking services across Scotland, and own a controlling stake in Royal Bank of Scotland. The Scottish Government has said they will continue to engage closely with banks and with senior representatives from all major companies in the financial services industry. Following the announcement, Fiona said; “This is another blow from Royal Bank of Scotland to our local communities following the closure of their Whitburn Branch earlier this year. This will come as…