Good news at the filling stations
Having recently had a constructive meeting with Chancellor Philip Hammond along with some of my Scottish colleagues, I was delighted when he confirmed that he will announce a further freeze in fuel duty in his Budget.
This is particularly good news for Dumfries and Galloway and elsewhere in rural Scotland where cars and other modes of motor transport are an absolute essential for many people.
While there has been technological progress with electrically-powered vehicles, and we have some charging points in the constituency, fuel from filling stations will remain important to everyday life and our local economy for the foreseeable future.
Dealing with anti-social behaviour
Anti-social behaviour is sadly a fact of life for far too many people in some local towns.
In particular I've been contacted by a number of concerned residents in Summerhill, Dumfries and subsequently written to households about the issue to see if there is anything I can do.
I've received a large number of responses and plan to take the issues raised up with the relevant agencies.
There are never easy answers but armed with the facts and highlighting individual cases should be a positive step towards trying to find solutions.
First point of contact when an incident happens should always be Police Scotland who are ready to assist 24/7.
Pastures new
I was delighted to attend the retirement lunch at the BBC's new studios at the Queen of the South Arena in Dumfries for popular journalist and broadcaster Willie Johnston.
As the Corporation's senior representative in the south west for many of his 35 years in the role, he accurately portrayed life in the region and its issues to a national and international audience.
While having more time with his wife, family and, I think, he mentioned garden, I'm hopeful he will continue to be an active member of the Dumfries and Galloway community.
Put pupils first
While I welcome the fact that fixing the catalogue of problems with the North West Community Campus building in Dumfries appears be progressing, I'm calling on the council, as an equally high priority, to facilitate sufficient extra learning support to ensure childrens' education and exams potential does not suffer because of the current disruption. The pupils must come first.
