Readers will by now, have received my latest newsletter giving a snapshot on some of the work I have undertaken on your behalf over the last year.
It has been great to hear from so many constituents who have since got in touch with me.
2022 has seen a gradual return to normality, with the reopening of my office to physical surgeries (held safely).
We have also responded to some 450 queries since the beginning of the year.
Although my office was closed for much of the pandemic, I continued to have virtual surgeries and we responded to some 2,500 queries.
I was glad to see that the Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at Chalmers hospital has finally reopened, albeit only to referrals from dialling 111.
Since before MIUs in Banff and Turriff closed at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, I was already campaigning against reduction in hours at these very important health facilities.
As restrictions continue to be lifted, I look forward to what should be a full return to pre-Covid services as soon as is possible.
In recent weeks, I had ample stand up in the House of Commons to support the oil and gas sector in response to ill-conceived calls for shutting down of the industry (by the Greens) and punitive windfall taxes (by Labour).
History tells us that a windfall tax on oil and gas companies – although superficially appealing at first glance – would actually have the opposite effect if that intended.
The North Sea Transition Deal, negotiated between the UK Government and the industry, is expected to attract at least £16 billion of private investment to support the industry – and jobs – in helping deliver the energy transition to net zero.
The proposed windfall tax would have put that investment at risk.
Besides, oil and gas companies already pay more than double the normal rate of tax on their profits – 40% versus 19% for most businesses.
Green MP Caroline Lucas raised an urgent question in The House about reports that six ‘new’ projects were to be given the green light.
Again, this was a deeply flawed argument and easy to counter.
Not only are these fields not ‘new’ (one of them was first licensed in 1970), but all of them are also subject to highly regulated approval processes – including for environmental impact.
They are already factored into UK Government’s ambitious plans to get to Net Zero by 2050 (as recommended by the Climate Change Committee).
This is why I was glad to hear both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer join the Business Secretary and Energy Minister committing to the UK Government’s continued support for investment in the North Sea – for all forms of energy.
Finally, I was delighted to take part in a debate recently on the passing of legislation that improve the lives of people with Down Syndrome and their families.
The Bill will require the Government to publish guidance on the specific needs of people with Down's syndrome and how they should be met.
Authorities in providing health, care, education and housing services must then act to deliver on these requirements.
And although this Bill, if enacted, will only apply in England, I am hopeful – given the cross-party support, including from the SNP, that the Scottish Government will apply similar guidance here.