Busy month in House and constituency

February has been an extremely busy month!

In Parliament I attended a number of debates in the Chamber and spoke in an emergency debate to approve the continuation of direct payment to farmers.

This became necessary when the Government suddenly realised that now we have left the EU there were no arrangements for these payments to continue.

Fortunately, transitional arrangements were agreed to the end of this year.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Police Dog Finn who had been stabbed twice sustaining very serious wounds whilst defending his handler who had been stabbed whilst arresting an armed robber.

The attack on Finn prompted a change in the law to make it a specific offence to assault orinjure police dogs and horses punishable with up to five years’ imprisonment.

Back in the constituency, I had an extremely interesting and informative tour of the Egger Barony site near Auchinleck.

The company, part of a multinational organisation, essentially processes trees into chipboard through a complex industrial process.

They employ about 160 highly skilled staff, run an award- winning apprenticeship scheme and make a significant contribution to the local economy.

The following week I was invited to open a Jobs Fair hosted by the Department of Work and Pensions in John Street.

I was delighted to see so many local employers interacting positively with jobseekers in the community.

I recently met with representatives of the Ballantrae Trust, including the Chair and past Chair and the Chair of the Ballantrae Community Council. These two fantastic organisations are totally committed to making Ballantrae and the surrounding area a great place to live and visit.

The main project of the Trust recently has been undertaking a consultation within the community as to the feasibility of taking over the existing Kings Arms Hotel in the village and turning it into a Community Pub/ Hub incorporating a range of community activities and facilities.

I wish them every success.

They will have my full support. Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of Queen Margaret’s Academy where I had a tour of the absolutely fantastic learning facilities.

It served to remind me how much South Ayrshire Council are investing in the education of our young people, the positive culture and pride evident throughout the school and the skills and talent of those pupils who entertained usduring the course of the evening.

As always, if anyone needs the advice or help of an MP please do not hesitate to contact me.