It has been a busy start to the week after a busy end to last week, both in Westminster and in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine.
My team and I continue to work hard replying and assisting everyone who gets in touch and I remain almost glued to my computer screen as I seem to spend my day going from zoom to zoom to zoom.
I was able to get out down Banchory High Street on Friday lunchtime – engaging in a bit of Christmas shopping. Two books from Yeadons and a pair of shoes from the Wee Shoe Shop…ok so it wasn’t as much Christmas shopping but more for myself. Nevertheless it was good to see the High Street so busy. I hope to get round as many high streets as possible before Christmas. Despite everything that has happened this year, it is so good to see the Christmas lights up around all the towns and villages in our part of the world. Thank you everyone who has gone that extra mile to make this Christmas just as special for our communities.
On Saturday, it was so good to be able to stop for lunch at the Garlogie Inn. This has been a challenging year for everyone involved in hospitality and I pay tribute to everyone who has striven to keep their doors open and carry on trading in what can only be described as the most difficult of circumstances.
It was very good to see Aberdeenshire remain in Level 2 on Tuesday - in spite of rising case numbers. Lets keep up the good work we’ve been putting in all year- remember Hands, Face, Space and make sure we keep Aberdeenshire Open as we move towards Christmas.
I continue in my work on the National Security and Investment Bill Committee- going through the entire Bill, line by line, to ensure it does what we need it to – protecting our national security from aggrieve and disruptive states or organisations, whilst maintaining Britain’s place as the top destination in the world for foreign direct investment.
On Wednesday I had a round table with the top advisors to the Prime Minister on transport and connectivity and what we as a UK Govt can do to increase and maintain connectivity in and around Scotland- particularly North East Scotland.
I will update you all next week on the outcomes from the meeting.
