This past month I’ve worked very hard to deliver for the Borders and I was pleased to see that effort pay off.
Securing £20 million for the Borders
In the Autumn Statement, the UK Chancellor announced £20 million of funding will be delivered to Scottish Borders Council to support public services and the local economy.
I am over the moon to have secured this huge level of investment in the Scottish Borders.
This is a very welcome development after months of speaking with the UK Chancellor and his team to discuss the need for additional funding for the Borders.
The UK Government has delivered a considerable sum to help the Borders economy, support local jobs, and improve our public services.
It is great that my campaign for the Borders to receive funding as part of the Levelling Up programme has paid off.
I look forward to working with the Scottish Borders Council to develop positive projects that this investment will help to fund.
Borders organisation wins first King's Award
Hawick Pump Track has been recognised in the first King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
This award is well deserved recognition for all the incredible work that Hawick Pump Track does for local people. It is an immense community asset and I am delighted to see the organisation recognised.
Remembering the fallen
One of the greatest privileges of being your Member of Parliament is getting the opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of brave veterans who served our country.
It is always an honour to place a tribute in the Constituency Garden of Remembrance outside the UK Houses of Parliament to mark the lives of those across the Scottish Borders who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
I also feel very lucky to be able to play a small part in local Remembrance Day services. This year, I joined the memorial march in Coldstream and laid a wreath on behalf of the UK Government in Birgham.
Raising a glass to the best Borders pubs
This past month I also announced the winners of my competition to crown the best pubs in the Borders.
The competition attracted hundreds of nominations from Borders residents for more than a dozen establishments.
The overall winner was the Cutty Sark Inn in Eyemouth, which received the most nominations by far.
Awards also went to The Plough Hotel in Yetholm and The Office Bar in Hawick, which were recognised for their excellent service and dedicated staff.
I was delighted to recognise just a few of the many brilliant pubs across the Borders that give people a great place to meet, socialise and have fun.
