This is a significant opportunity for West Lothian, and it should be shaped by the people who live and work here - those who will benefit from it.
If you have ideas about how the funding could be used, I would be very keen to hear from you on gregor.poynton.mp@parliament.uk .
It was great to speak with founder Angela Moohan, and hear her insights on how the funding could make a real difference, and discuss the next steps following the announcement.
Investing in local social enterprises and community spaces would be a powerful use of that funding, helping build on existing support networks in the area.
Social enterprises like The Larder are on the front line, supporting people in our community and helping change lives.
Up to £20 million from the UK Labour Government’s Pride in Place funding is coming to Fauldhouse, as well as Whitburn and Blackburn.
We covered everything from:
👑 Lip Sync for the Win
🎂 Older or younger than Cher…
🗳 Why young people should get involved in politics
…and some very questionable lip-sync matchups along the way.
📹 Videos coming soon - keep an eye out.
💄🎤 Lip Sync for the Win… but make it political.
While at The Centre, Livingston for their Valentine’s celebrations, I sat down with RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Chanel O’Conor for a brilliant chat.
Jordan and I will keep working with local campaigners, keep raising this publicly, and keep the pressure on until East Calder gets the modern health centre it deserves. 3/3
Including GPs working from Portakabins and a waiting area affected by a leaky roof. Simply unacceptable.
The SNP control the decisions and the budget for NHS facilities in Scotland, and the situation at East Calder shows the price of years of SNP delay and neglect. 2/3
Recently, I was joined at East Calder Medical Centre by Dr Zubir Ahmed, a UK Labour government health minister, and Jordan Stokoe, Scottish Labour’s candidate for Almond Valley.
We met staff and saw first-hand the conditions patients and NHS workers are dealing with. 1/3
But after nearly 20 years of SNP government, too many communities still aren’t seeing the benefits, from NHS waiting lists to potholes and housing pressures.
▶️ Watch the video for the full details.
📉 Inflation falling faster
🏡 Mortgage holders could save £1,300+ on a typical new fixed-rate deal
💡 Around £150 off the average energy bill
💰 £921 million extra for Scotland
📊 The Spring Forecast shows Labour’s plan is delivering for working people in the Livingston constituency and across West Lothian.
It’s about getting the basics right again and fixing the SNP’s mess.
But only a Scottish Labour government will deliver the investment needed to repair our roads and support communities across West Lothian.
In May, Scotland has a choice.
From Polbeth to Knightsridge, Deans and communities right across the Livingston constituency, people are frustrated at the state of our roads after years of neglect.
That’s why I welcome Scottish Labour’s plan for a £350 million pothole fund to repair nearly 5 million potholes across Scotland.
Potholes and damaged roads are one of the issues residents raise with me most at my week street surgeries across the Livingston constituency.
It was helpful to hear more about the plans and ask questions about housing mix, affordable provision and the next steps in the planning process.
What do you think about the proposals?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below 👇
We first sat down at Williamson's My Florist Garden Centre & Coffee Shop to talk through the plans, before heading up for a site visit to see the proposed location.
The development being proposed would include 91 homes, with 23 of those affordable homes, and a mix of properties for local families.
Do you want to see more homes built in Dechmont?
I met with the team from Lovell Partnerships to hear more about their proposals for a new housing development on land to the east side of Dechmont village.
🌍 Labour will deliver a migration system that is fair but firm, and compassionate but controlled.
💡 Labour’s choices at the Budget mean lower energy bills for families as the energy price cap falls.
💷 The Spring Forecast confirmed Labour’s economic plan is working- with inflation and borrowing falling, working people set to be over £1,000 better off, and an extra £921 million for Scotland.
Three things Labour’s Plan for Change has delivered for West Lothian and Scotland in the week just past👇
Women across the Livingston constituency and West Lothian are leading change - in business, innovation and the third sector - and it’s inspiring to see hear from so many female leaders and learn more about their leadership journey.
Alongside Jordan Stokoe for the Almond Valley, we also visited Livingston-based SilviBio, founded by Dr Alicja Dzieciol, which is developing innovative peat-free growing media right here in West Lothian.
🚺 The women shaping West Lothian’s future.
Ahead of International Women’s Day today, I joined Kirsty McNeill MP and local leaders at West Lothian College to discuss breaking down barriers and expanding opportunity for women in business, education and community life.
Today is a moment to pause, remember those we lost, and recognise the sacrifices and compassion shown across our communities.
on families across the Livingston constituency and West Lothian.
It was also an opportunity to pay tribute to the NHS staff, care workers, key workers and volunteers who went above and beyond to support others during an incredibly difficult time.
Today marks the UK’s COVID-19 Day of Reflection.
On Friday I joined local residents, community representatives and civic leaders at the COVID-19 Memorial Garden at West Lothian Civic Centre to remember those who lost their lives during the pandemic and reflect on the impact it had
I’ve also asked them to consider upgrading it to one of the new parcel-enabled post-boxes' being rolled out across the UK, so people can send small parcels locally as well as letters.
Thanks to everyone who raised this with me - I’ll keep you updated when I hear back.
