CHRISTMAS is fast approaching and, judging by the weather last weekend, winter is firmly upon us.

This year, and as Small Business Saturday approaches, it is the perfect opportunity to shop local and support our local pubs and restaurants as well.

Now, more than ever, they need our support, with retailers, hospitality and leisure hit hard by Labour’s increase in National Insurance, and neglect in areas like business rates from John Swinney’s Government in Edinburgh.

Like the winter so far, they face a storm, and we can play our part to help those small businesses through the tough winter ahead.

That’s why it is so essential that we do everything we can to support East Lothian small businesses, to give them a fighting chance, because if we don’t, too many could be shouting last orders for the last time.

While you’re out doing your Christmas shopping, why not pop in and support some of our great local cafes, restaurants and pubs?

At Holyrood, I have become the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and I’ve been working on budget proposals to help hard-pressed taxpayers and businesses in East Lothian.

The headline proposals include cutting income tax to 19 per cent for earnings up to £43,662. This will mean a saving of £222 for every average earner.

I also want to go further, which is why we have proposed lifting the tax on buying a house valued at £145,000 to a threshold of £250,000, meaning many first-time buyers, and 70 per cent of all housing transactions, pay no tax when buying a home.

Finally, to help our struggling retail, leisure and hospitality sector, I want to see the SNP deliver 40 per cent business rates relief, but also go much further for our struggling pubs and restaurants by giving them a rates-free year in 2024-25.

This is a common-sense plan to help support hard-working families and our fantastic pubs and restaurants. I hope you’ll join me in supporting it too.