Thank you for reading my latest newsletter about some of the things I’ve been doing to represent the people of the Borders.

It is always a privilege to help local people and this month I’ve received lots of your cases regarding a wide range of issues.

Future of Borders bus services 

People need good local public transport services to go about their daily lives.

I recently met with Borders Buses to discuss the recent news that four Berwickshire bus routes provided by another operator will soon be cancelled. Borders Buses are working with Scottish Borders Council to fill any gaps in provision.

I was pleased to hear that demand for the Pingo bus through Berwickshire is high and they will soon put a third bus on the service.

At the meeting, I also raised essential services from Jedburgh and Selkirk to the Borders General Hospital, and the possibility of new routes to link Reston Railway Station with other parts of the Borders.

A&E waiting times rise
 

Despite the best efforts of our fantastic NHS staff, I know many local people are struggling to access vital healthcare services quickly.

New statistics show over 1000 people waited longer than four hours for emergency treatment at the Borders General Hospital in the last month of data.

Many other people are waiting too long for face-to-face GP or dentist appointments.

I will keep demanding that Humza Yousaf gives our excellent NHS professionals the resources they need to treat every patient quickly.

UK Government cost-of-living support delivered 

On a more positive note, thousands of families across the Scottish Borders will receive £300 directly from the UK Government before Christmas to help with the cost-of-living.

Approximately 12,200 households will receive the money, which is the second of three payments totalling up to £900 to support eligible people on means-tested benefits with the cost of living.

The UK Government is committed to supporting those who need it most - and that's exactly what we're doing with this latest payment.

Christmas Card Competition begins 

Every year, Rachael Hamilton MSP and I run a Christmas Card Competition for school pupils across the Scottish Borders.

We are always blown away by the amazing drawings.

The winning design will appear on the front of our card that is sent to the King, the Prime Minister and people across the Scottish Borders.

Entries for 2023 are open until 18 November, so please get your submission in soon by visiting my website here: https://www.johnlamont.org/christmas23.

Visiting the team at the Lauderdale Community Shed and making some new friends at Beirhope Farm in Hownam. 

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Spending the morning with local charity Sea the Change at Coldingham Bay and playing rounders with the children at Escape Youth Services in Hawick. 

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