On Monday I held a street surgery in Drumoak, where I knocked on doors and listened to constituents’ concerns.
On Tuesday afternoon, Rachael Hamilton MSP and I had a meeting with Roderick McCafferty, an inventor from Kilwinning. We talked about the need for increased support for innovation in Scotland, discussing how inventors and start-ups can receive funding for their ideas. We also looked at Mr. McCafferty’s various inventions. His ideas for flood prevention mechanisms were particularly interesting, and I hope that we can secure funding for many Scottish inventors in the future.
On Wednesday morning, I attended a meeting of the Finance and Constitution Committee. I asked a question to David Mundell, Secretary of State for Scotland, regarding the areas of responsibility that will return from Brussels after the UK has left the European Union. A video of our exchange can be viewed here.
In the afternoon, I attended a debate on the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill.
On Thursday morning, I asked a question in General Questions regarding the lack of funding and mental health facilities available to those with eating disorders in NHS Grampian. My question and the response from Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport Shona Robinson can be viewed here.
In the afternoon, I attended First Minister’s Questions as well as a chamber debate on the Seatbelts on School Transport (Scotland) Bill. This bill is very important for the safety of our children, and I hope to see seat belt-less school buses phased out as soon as possible. I also delivered a speech in support of empowering women in business as part of a debate on Global Entrepreneurship Week in Holyrood. My speech can be viewed here.
On Friday morning I met with various constituents during a surgery in Torphins.
In the afternoon, I attended a meet-the-team event in Blackburn, where I met with the team that is reviewing the A96 dual carriageway. Here is my statement on the A96 upgrades:
“It is disappointing to see that the preferred route option ‘Q’ has been dismissed and is no longer being considered.
This option would have protected our Bennachie landmark as well as easing congestion on the A947 Aberdeen to Banff road. I have had many constituents contact me regarding their concerns over potential plans to place the new A96 route past Bennachie.
So today, I re-iterated my opposition to the dual carriageway route ‘C’ which would see a detrimental impact to the landscape of our beloved local landmark.
I have already voiced my support to the Save Bennachie campaign, and will continue to fight against any options which would cause any irreversible damage to our North East landmark.”