LAST week saw Parliament finally have an opportunity to debate the Government’s proposed cut to the international aid budget. It’s an issue that concerns many constituents who were in contact with me; I share their view that it’s deplorable.

I spoke in the debate, making it clear that it was about many issues but in particular it concerned twin imperatives. Firstly, the moral duty to provide for those least fortunate, especially with a global pandemic. Hardship in many lands is already severe and Covid worsens it. But secondly, there’s a public health imperative here. If we don’t support them to prosper and be able to tackle the pandemic, then another variant or new disease will strike us all and our vaccines might not protect us.

There was a mini rebellion by Tory backbenchers, including former Premier Theresa May, who expressed her anger at how it had been done, as well as what was being done. Several other senior Tories, such as the former International Aid Minister Andrew Mitchell, also expressed their outrage. I praised them for having the courage of their party’s former convictions. It’s not easy to do what they did and, whilst I still disagree with them profoundly on many issues, they deserve great credit for their efforts. Sadly, it wasn’t enough and the Government still had a majority. I fear that many will suffer and we all are threatened.

Locally, the proposed train service changes remain a huge worry, including for myself, as I invariably travel to London by train from Dunbar. The express service operator’s announcement came as a bolt from the blue and, if implemented, will leave many bereft. There has to be a balance, with access to mainline services north and south but also the establishment of a local service. It can be done but the UK Government needs to lean on the express operators and the Scottish Government must provide a local service from Edinburgh to Berwick and preferably Newcastle. Both are possible but they’re essential for the communities on the line.