'MAY I wish all constituents throughout Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Fife and Clackmannanshire a happy and prosperous New Year for 2016. 

2015 was a year of great progress within the UK. We saw continued economic growth – at the fastest rate among major developed nations – and falling unemployment. In 2016 we can be confident that the UK economy will continue to grow, improving opportunities for all.

Last year we saw more powers devolved to Holyrood. With the passing of the Scotland Bill next year Holyrood will become one of the most powerful devolved Parliaments in the world. Ministers in Edinburgh will soon have the ability to widely change income tax rates and top-up welfare benefits. The economic levers that the Scottish Government have called out for are now in their hands. I welcome these and other devolved powers and hope that the Scottish Government uses them responsibly to grow the economy and create jobs and opportunities for people across the country.

Voters will go to the polls again in 2016 to elect representatives to the Scottish Parliament. This election gives us an opportunity to make issues facing Mid-Scotland and Fife a priority. Delivering the public services Scotland deserves must become the Scottish Government’s priority. I have been campaigning hard to improve broadband speeds across the region, have raised concerns over hospital staffing, police centralisation and fewer opportunities in education for people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In 2015 rural communities across Scotland were given welcome respite from opportunistic wind farm developers thanks to news that the UK Government is reducing massive consumer funded wind turbine subsidies. For years rural areas, particularly those in Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Fife and Clackmannanshire, felt under siege from large multi-national energy companies and wind developers who with their exhaustive resources were colonising our hills with expensive and poorly sited wind farms.

Despite the tireless efforts of local groups many people felt the game was rigged against them. Fortunately, now the UK Government has stepped in to help these communities by reducing the cash incentives that developers relied on. I will continue to make the case for a balanced energy portfolio with affordability placed at its very core. Elderly residents across the region shouldn’t have to make the choice between heating and eating in the 21st century and I will fight for lower consumer bills for everyone in 2016.

As always I can be contacted at The Control Tower, Perth Airport, Scone, Perth PH2 6PL tel: 01738 553990 or email: murdo.fraser.msp@scottish.parliament.uk'