The UK Parliament has risen for the summer which means I can now look forward to spending six weeks back home in the Borders.
During this time I will be doing a fortnight of community advice surgeries, as well as visiting local businesses, catching up with local groups, attending rural shows, and the final common ridings and ride-outs.
SURGERIES
As I mentioned, I am currently holding my community advice surgeries during which I am visiting around 50 villages and communities across the Borders.
These surgeries are an important opportunity for me to hear the concerns of my constituents and discuss how I can support them in my role as MP.
Please feel free to attend one of these surgeries if you would like to.
There’s no need to make an appointment, but please call 01896 663650 or visit www.michaelmoore.org.uk<http://www.michaelmoore.org.uk/>
Apprenticeships
It was good to hear last week that, during the past month, the number of people in the Borders claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance fell by 29.
However, there is still much more to be done to help people into work and create jobs, so as local MP I will be working with Borders businesses over the summer to promote jobs and apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships are a vital way of helping people get the skills and experience they need to break into the job market and I will be visiting three different businesses over the summer to highlight the fantastic work they are doing with apprentices.
Biomass
As the Westminster Government works to make Britain greener and reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, I was pleased to hear last week that further details have been released on the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.
The RHI offers householders incentives to install low- carbon alternatives to traditional heating systems by offering money for the clean green heat produced.
I know a number of individuals and companies in the Border have been keen to install renewable heating systems and I am glad that they can now get on with these investments.
Last week I met one of these businesses in Jedburgh and was pleased to be able to see first-hand the opportunities provided by the scheme.
We also discussed various practical challenges faced by businesses on this and other energy issues, and I will make sure I bring them to Energy Secretary Ed Davey’s attention during the next few weeks.