01506 460403
angela.constance.msp@parliament.scot
Unit 4, Ochil House, Beveridge Square, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 6QF
Angela Constance MSP for Almond Valley has welcomed the Scottish Government pilot scheme to improve access to justice which will see victims of rape and serious sexual assault able to access transcripts from their court cases for free. From 1st March 2024 to 1st March 2025, £100,000 of funding will enable complainers who have had their cases heard in the High...
Read MoreAngela Constance MSP was met with representatives from the West Lothian African Women's Network; CEO Eunice Simpson, Steering Committee member Chipo Makiyi, and Volunteer Ifeyinma Hart. The network is dedicated to uplifting, empowering, and advocating for African and ethnic minority women and families in West Lothian, providing support and advice for mental health, women’s health, financial advice, training, entrepreneurship, leadership, and...
Read More SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT’S LOCAL FOOD STRATEGY SHOWS THE VALUE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Angela Constance MSP urges Almond Valley residents to participate in the Scottish Government's Good Food Nation Plan consultation to enable everyone in Almond Valley to access healthy, sustainable food. The plan outlines ways to collaborate with businesses and organisations across society to connect people with locally produced, high-quality food...
New figures show that 4405 Primary 2 and 3 pupils in West Lothian have received free books through the First Minister's Read Write Count program, which promotes literacy and aims to raise attainment. The Scottish Book Trust distributes Read, Write, Count bags containing two books during Book Week Scotland to Primary 2 and Primary 3 pupils across the country.
The...
Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, has said that she believes Scotland's complete independence will offer the opportunity to "terminate the poverty cycle" and "ensure financial assistance to all residents of Almond Valley who require it." following the publication of the Scottish Government’s latest independence paper, ‘Social Security in an Independent Scotland’.
The ninth paper in a Building a New...
Angela Constance MSP has praised Social Security Scotland following news that it made £641 million in direct payments to people across Scotland, including £21,628,500 to people in west Lothian
The payments were made between April 2022 and March 2023 and include 13 Scottish benefits, seven of which are new forms of support which are unavailable elsewhere in the UK.
Among these...
Angela Constance MSP for Almond Valley has welcomed the latest figures, which reveal that 8,720 Welfare Fund Payments have been given to support residents in West Lothian from July 2022 to June 2023. The Scottish Government provides funding for the Scottish Welfare Fund, made up of Community Care Grants and Crisis Grants, which is managed by local authorities to...
Read MoreAngela Constance MSP welcomes the announcement of funding for a new school in Craigshill in Livingston. The new Riverside and Letham Primary School is one of the school building projects taken forward as a result of the £2 billion announcement by the Scottish Government and COSLA. The Learning and Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) will enable the next phase of...
Read MoreThe Scottish Government is launching a new exchange programme to provide opportunities for young people, with priority given to disadvantaged students. The University of Glasgow's Principal, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, has praised the initiative for the immense benefits it could bring to Scotland's youth. The programme has been welcomed by MSP Angela Constance, who believes it will transform the lives...
Read More Angela Constance MSP for Almond Valley along with Fiona Hyslop MSP met with McGill’s Buses last week following the shock announcement that they will withdrawing all commercial bus routes in West Lothian from December. After the meeting Angela said
‘Given the high number of disappointed and distressed constituents, I met with McGill’s as a matter of urgency following their...
MSP Angela Constance has welcomed the introduction of the new Carer Support Payment following the First Minister’s announcement of improved support for unpaid carers in his Programme for Government.
The pilot which starts in November will cover those already in receipt of Carers Allowance. Unlike previous support, the payment will be available to unpaid carers who are studying full-time. starting...
Angela Constance MSP praises the Scottish Government's Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods, as new figures indicate that 11,380 children in West Lothian have benefited from these payments. Since 2018, the government has provided £130 million in support for pregnancy and early years family care, benefitting 1.7 million families.
These payments are part of the five key benefits that...
Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, has praised Sight Scotland Veterans for all the outstanding help and support it provides to veterans living with sight loss across the country.
Sight Scotland Veterans opened its doors to the local West Lothian community last week as part of the national Doors Open Days festival. In what was a fantastic turn out, over...
Angela Constance MSP for Almond Valley has condemned policies that limit the incomes of thousands of local working families. New analysis using data from the UK Government revealed 2,230 children across West Lothian are impacted by the two-child benefit cap, preventing families from receiving vital financial support.
These findings show more than 20,000 Scottish children into poverty. In sharp contrast the Scottish Government have lifted 90,000 children out of absolute poverty...
Angela Constance MSP recently visited Glenmorangie Bottling facility to meet Pete Nelson, Director of Operations to tour the completed state of the art facility at the Alba plant in Livingston.
Glenmorangie have good retention of staff and have introduced a variety of life-friendly policies with a culture fostering creativity and innovation. Angela Constance MSP was pleased to see the apprentices...
Angela Constance MSP recently visited the royal mail delivery office in Livingston to meet the hard-working staff and was given an overview of new initiatives to customer services by manager Graeme Paterson.
The royal mail approach to net zero 2040 now includes the redelivery of parcels when people are not at home. New ways for parcel pick-up and label...
MSP Angela Constance has welcomed new measures from the Scottish Government to prevent litter and fly tipping in Almond Valley and support Scottish Governments circular and zero waste economy.
The new measures, which include more than doubling fines for flytipping to £500, have been brought in under a six-year National Litter and Flytipping Strategy, which sets out how national and...
VERITY HOUSE AGREEMENT SET TO DELIVEVR FOR ALMOND VALLEY
Angela Constance MSP has welcomed the signing of a landmark agreement between local and national government, which will help to empower local communities, tackle poverty, transform the economy and provide high-quality public services in Almond Valley
The Verity House agreement, which was signed last week by First Minister Humza Yousaf and...
The Scottish Government is putting victims and their needs at the very heart of our justice system with investment in cutting edge virtual reality technology. Victims and witnesses can naturally find giving evidence in court a daunting prospect. That’s why this unique project using innovative technology to support and prepare victims for court could prove transformative. It has the...
Read More TOMRA has invested in Scottish operations - headquartered in town - as it supports organisations nationwide in preparing for Deposit Return Scheme
Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance has seen the work being done by a Livingston-based business in preparing for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
TOMRA is one of the world’s leading suppliers of reverse vending machines, which are being installed...
SCOTTISH CITYLINK LAUNCHES NEW SERVICE CONNECTING LIVINGSTON AND MONKLANDS WITH GLASGOW AND EDINBURGH AIRPORT
New 902 Service to serve Glasgow, Bargeddie, Coatbridge, Airdrie, Chapelhall, Harthill, Heartlands, Livingston and Edinburgh Airport
New route to start on 6 March 2023, operating hourly.
Service welcomed by Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance.
Book tickets now at citylink.co.uk
Scottish Citylink is to launch a new coach...
I am really please to see the Winter Heating Payment will reach significantly more people as 400,000 people on low incomes will benefit. Payments will be made through Social Security Scotland. Letters will be sent out to those eligible and paid automatically.
https://www.gov.scot/news/gbp-20m-to-help-400-000-people-with-heating-costs/
Angela Constance MSP and Christina McKelvie MSP, the Scottish Government Minister for Equalities & Older People visited Braid House Health and Well-being in Howden. They were given a guided tour of the building by senior manager Linda McArthur learning about the range of services and resources on offer to people over 65 and other community groups.
The centre has a long history in Livingston and has evolved over the years...
Response to Drug Deaths Taskforce report
Constance announces £68 million action plan to save and improve lives
Almond Valley MSP, Angela Constance in her capacity as Scotlands Drug Policy Minister announced in Parliament last week (13 Jan) the Scottish Government’s response to the final report from the Drug Deaths Taskforce.
More than 80 actions supported by £68 million over the course...
Angela Constance MSP for Almond Valley welcomed pupils from Meldrum Primary School in Livingston to the Scottish Parliament. School pupils can once again participate in education visits finding out about how laws are made and the role of MSPs.
Following the visit Angela Constance MSP said
‘It was an absolute pleasure to welcome pupils from Meldrum Primary School and to spend...
SMALL BUSINESSES MAKE BIG DIFFERENCE
Angela Constance MSP is urging people across West Lothian to shop local this Winter, as the MSP celebrated Small Business Saturday.
Angela Constance MSP has stressed that ‘there has never been a more important time to shop local whenever you can’ as they highlight the pressures facing small businesses trying to recover from the pandemic, tackle...
ALL ELIGIBLE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN UNDER-16 ELIGIBLE FOR SUPPORT
The Scottish Child Payment has been increased from £20 to £25 per week per child, meaning 5,090 families in West Lothian are set to receive a boost to their household incomes from the Scottish Government.
Eligibility for the payment, which is only available in Scotland, has also been extended, meaning eligible families...
Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance visited Open Door Scotland (formerly Open Door Accommodation Project) in Livingston to mark Living Wage Week.
Open Door is one of 2800 accredited Living Wage employers in Scotland and has supported young people affected by homelessness for 35 years. They provide accommodation as well as community outreach support.
During the visit, Angela Constance MSP said...
Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance was delighted to attend the Graduation ceremony at West Lothian College on Saturday 29 October 2022. West Lothian College welcomed over 250 graduates and 550 guests to it’s biggest ever graduation ceremony. It is also the 21st anniversary of the College moving to the purpose built Livingston campus.
Ms Constance was honoured to be able...
Commenting on the recent publication of 2020-21 college sector key performance indicators released by the Scottish Funding Council, Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow Constituency and Angela Constance MSP for Almond Valley have congratulated West Lothian College on having delivered significantly above its credit targets and having the highest rate of student success of all fifteen regional colleges across Scotland
Fiona...
Angela Constance MSP had the pleasure of attending the opening of the West Lothian Chinese Community Hub in Pumpherston on Sunday 8th May.
The Chinese Community Hub was established in 2020 by families during the pandemic to overcome a range of difficulties including shopping. The community hub is located near West Lothian’s first Chinese Supermarket. The official opening was a...
Press Release from Angela Constance MSP
for Immediate Release
£800K FUNDING FOR DRUG & ALCOHOL SERVICES
New Investment in Early Intervention and Family Support
West Lothian will benefit from nearly £800,000 of new investment to support people affected by drugs and alcohol including earlier intervention and better family support.
This is part of a nationwide announcement by Almond Valley MSP, Angela...
Angela Constance MSP was recently given the opportunity to visit Eliburn Co-operative in Livingston to learn more about their Safer Colleagues, Safer Communities campaign.
This campaign is focused on addressing crime against Co-op colleagues in their stores and in the communities that we live in. This organisation have been the leading business in Scotland on the issue of shopworker violence.
During...
To celebrate Scottish Apprentice Week 2022, Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance was delighted to to meet with apprentices working at Arnold Clark in Livingston.
Scottish Apprentice Week takes place each year across a week in March and aims to highlight the vital role apprenticeships play in supporting people, employers, and the economy.
With this years theme being ‘Apprenticeships work’,...
ANGELA CONSTANCE MSP VISITS LINBURN CENTRE
Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance recently met with staff and veterans at the Linburn Centre in Wilkieston, following an invitation by Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans. The Linburn Centre is an activity hub for ex-servicemen and women with sight loss that significantly affects their independence, and Angela heard first hand of the challenges...
Applications can be made for a share of £18 million.
Local MSP Angela Constance, in her capacity as Scotland’s Minister for Drug Policy has launched four new separate funds - worth a total of £18 million - to support improvements to drugs services. Coming from the additional £250 million announced by the First Minister to tackle the drug deaths emergency...
Following her successful re-election as the MSP for Almond Valley, Angela Constance was re-appointed to serve as the Minister for Drugs Policy within the Scottish Government. The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, in December 2020 appointed Ms Constance to this new post dedicated to tackling drug related deaths and to lead a national mission to save and improve lives. ...
Read MoreAngela Constance has been re-elected to represent the Almond Valley Constituency in the Scottish Parliament. This is the 4th time she has been elected to serve as a constituency MSP securing 54.3% of the vote. Angela has increased her majority to a massive 12,130, the 4th biggest of any MSP elected in the Scottish Parliament 2021 elections, and with 22,675 votes cast in her favour secured the 4th highest...
Read More Angela Constance MSP popped in to meet staff and volunteers at River Kids ahead of their annual sale to raise funds for their charity. River Kids were formed 15 years ago and provide an excellent support network across West Lothian helping disadvantaged kids and their families, ensuring no child goes without at Christmas time, or their birthdays.
The charity currently...
There was devastating and disappointing news today, Tuesday 9th June, that over 70 jobs are at risk at the Wyman Gordon manufacturing plant in Livingston, more than a third of its workforce.
Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley said:
“This news will be devastating for the Wyman Gordon workforce and the prospect of job losses is distressing at any time but...
Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley was delighted to meet the modern apprentices at Glenmorangie’s Production Site in Livingston. The visit formed part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which ran from 3rd to 6th March to raise awareness of apprenticeships and the range of opportunities they offer.
A first for Glenmorangie, the Production Associate Modern Apprenticeships were created to support the...
Angela Constance MSP has today welcomed the positive news that over 100 jobs have been saved following the sale of API Foils Ltd to a major global packaging business, Aldus. API Foils Ltd is a leading manufacturer and distributor of foils, laminates and holographic materials and one of the oldest plants in the Livingston area.
Ms Constance said
“Understandably, there...
Angela Constance MSP, has hailed a Scottish Government announcement which would commit £645 million to expand early learning and childcare provision across Scotland and save families in Almond Valley £4,500 per child a year.
Announcing the Scottish Government’s draft budget proposals for 2020/21 in Holyrood, SNP Minister Kate Forbes announced investment that will support the Government’s plan to almost...
Angela Constance MSP recently met representatives from Marie Curie at St. Johns Hospital to hear about the care they offer locally to people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones in West Lothian.
In West Lothian, around 1,255 people each year[1] need palliative care to relieve symptoms, improve their quality of life, and provide end of life...
Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, has expressed her concerns about the impact of a 15 week road closure in Stoneyburn. The B7015 Main Street, Stoneyburn will be closed to enable essential works to upgrade the gas network by SGN (Scottish Gas Network). Residents were notified just days before Christmas that the road would be closed between 6th January...
Read MoreWith the risk freezing weather in winter Angela Constance MSP is urging West Lothian residents to make sure their homes are prepared for the winter. Each year, around 1.3 million homes across Britain experience a boiler breakdown and a new study shows that 34 per cent of households haven’t had their boiler serviced this year - putting themselves at...
Read MoreAngela Constance MSP has welcomed the news from Scotrail that an additional 3 carriages will be added to the Glasgow Central to Edinburgh service each morning for commuters catching the 0745 service from Livingston South to Edinburgh. This follows an announcement as part of ScotRail’s £475 million investment in new and upgraded trains, and an assurance to provide more...
Read MoreThe campaign was launched after research conducted by YouGov for Shelter Scotland found that 88% of people surveyed agreed that everyone in Scotland should have a legal right to a safe, secure and affordable home and that 76% support a new law being created in Scotland for adequate housing for everyone in the country. The research also found that...
Read More Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance was delighted to sponsor a Reception at the Scottish Parliament to celebrate the tremendous impact the Citizens Advice network in Scotland has had over the past 80 years. Local CAB managers and Chairs from across Scotland and a range of stakeholders joined MSPs to pay tribute to the service.
During the reception a pre-recorded video...
Angela Constance MSP welcomes Scottish Government funding aimed at helping the local community deal with increased tourism and has encouraged West Lothian Council to apply.
The Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund – administered by VisitScotland – is intended to help tourist attractions and the surrounding communities deal with the impact of increased visitor numbers through upgrades to infrastructure such as...
01506 460403
angela.constance.msp@parliament.scot
Unit 4, Ochil House, Beveridge Square, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 6QF