INFECTION numbers remain far too high and I am concerned that we are going to be placed in a situation where some critical restrictions will remain in force for longer. This will not be good for the economy or for our mental health.

We all want this to finish so that we can return to a reasonable level of normalcy. We should not be putting this hope at threat. I know restrictions feel never-ending and we have all had to adapt to the new guidance put in place, but it is important that we are not complacent as the restrictions are eased. Please continue to stick to the rules and ensure you know the guidance set out for your local area or the area you are travelling to.

Can I also take the opportunity to remind over-18s to register for their Covid-19 vaccination or simply drop into the East Lothian Community Hospital? Alternatively, mobile vaccination units are in the area for easy access too. Protect yourselves and your community and get the jag.

Parliament is still in recess but has been recalled to allow the First Minister to give an update on the latest restrictions and answer questions the opposition may have. I am still available throughout recess for my constituents to contact me.

I am often asked about Scotland’s supposed budget deficit of 8.6 per cent or just over £15 billion. It is a strange figure. The Scottish Government itself runs no deficit to add to the national debt since by law it must balance its books every year. Consequently, the entire deficit is incurred within the expenditure made by Westminster on our behalf in respect to reserved matters.

The London Treasury is the only source of this data and there is no way to independently verify its accuracy. So Scotland, with 8.5 per cent of the UK population, is supposed to be responsible for more than 25 per cent of the entire UK annual GDP deficit. It really does call for some imagination to believe this. I will return to these figures in a later article. Some things just don’t fly.