The UK Government Autumn Statement delivered emphatically for the Borders and all of Scotland.
I was especially delighted to secure £20 million for the Borders through the creation of a Levelling Up Partnership with the local council.
The UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the funding will be delivered to Scottish Borders Council to support public services and the local economy.
It has been a long process campaigning for this money, speaking with the UK Chancellor and his team on a regular basis and pushing for this direct investment in our local area.
I'm proud that the hard work to ensure the Borders gets a substantial funding package from the UK Government has paid off.
This huge level of investment in the Borders will make a real difference to people's lives.
The UK Government has delivered a considerable sum to help the Borders economy, support local jobs, and improve our public services.
I look forward to working with the Scottish Borders Council and other stakeholders to develop positive projects that this investment will help to fund.
The UK Levelling Up programme has now invested £2.4 billion in projects across Scotland and improved digital connectivity for thousands of households. Across the Borders, everyone will feel the benefit from it.
There was more positive news in the Autumn Statement for workers and businesses. It included policies and decisions that will deliver in the long-term for a brighter future, but it also provided immediate help for millions of people.
Around 200,000 workers across Scotland, including many in the Borders, will receive a pay boost worth £2000 a year, as a result of the decision to increase the National Living Wage to £11.44 an hour.
The bold move to cut National Insurance will mean that 2.8 million Scottish workers will receive a tax cut worth up to £750.
And the UK Chancellor also delivered an extra half a billion extra for Scottish public services and support for businesses.
The Autumn Statement demonstrated again that the UK Government is focused on the big challenges facing working people, such as support with the cost of living and providing tax cuts so they keep more of their own money.
It proves that the Scottish Conservative party can deliver the extra investment that the Borders needs.
But above all, the £20 million funding boost means that a whole host of exciting plans can be brought forward locally to ensure the Borders remains a brilliant place to live and work.
