THIS first month representing East Lothian at Holyrood has been eventful, with much to experience and learn.

My second Holyrood speech focussed on the economy, the infrastructure investment plan and the Scottish National Investment Bank.

A national project, this will impact on every family and business as our local economic recovery gathers pace, promoting wellbeing.

Increasing prosperity during the county’s post-pandemic economic recovery must be widely shared. No one is better off until everyone is better off.

We have hugely beneficial local assets in East Lothian.

The countryside, coastline, towns and villages attract visitors who generate £260 million annually, supporting 5,000 local jobs.

READ MORE: Paul McLennan's first speech in the Scottish Parliament

Scotland already plays a strong ‘long game’ in attracting foreign investment; the BBC reported this as up by 6 per cent last year, whereas UK foreign investment generally was down 12 per cent.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be finding out how the £10 million ‘Scotland Loves Local’ fund is contributing since normal retail resumed in April.

Our towns and villages have survived an unforgettably difficult time, with the voluntary and social enterprise sectors making an enormous contribution.

Many of you look out for your neighbours, comfort a bereaved friend, help a child with homework, or volunteer in charity shops or foodbanks, among countless other tasks: you are among Scotland’s peerless 1.4 million volunteers.

The voluntary sector employs over 100,000 people, contributing £6 billion to the economy.

With the Volunteer Centre East Lothian I’ll be discussing capacity building to sustain the renewed sense of community that was a beacon during the darkest times of the pandemic.

If we continue to be patient, there’s light at the end of the Covid tunnel.