LAST Tuesday, the day the UK Prime Minister set out her plans for a hard Brexit, there was a debate in Holyrood which noted the publication of Scotland’s Place in Europe which sets out options for the future of the UK and Scotland’s relationship with Europe and highlighted the importance of the single market for ensuring rights for both businesses and citizens.

The Scottish Government has been working hard to protect Scotland’s Place in Europe and I am pleased that Parliament backed these efforts to secure Scotland’s interests as part of the Article 50 process.

I am also pleased that the Prime Minister has reiterated her pledge to give our plans proper consideration, and we will hold her to that commitment.

Nearly seven months since the referendum - the Scottish Government is still the only administration to publish a detailed plan on how to deal with Brexit and the economic, social, democratic and cultural risks associated with it. Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU and the Scottish Government is doing all it can to make sure the Tories cannot ignore and act against Scotland’s interests.

The UK Government must not be able to take Scotland out of the EU and the single market, regardless of the impact on our economy, jobs, living standards and our reputation as an open, tolerant country, without Scotland having the ability to choose between that and a better future.

I was concerned to note the recent figures published by VisitScotland which show that the number of people employed in the tourist industry in Clackmannanshire decreased by eight per cent between 2014 to 2015 at the same time our neighbours in Stirling saw a 12 per cent increase, Falkirk saw an eight per cent increase and Fife saw a 10 per cent increase.

In fact, Clackmannanshire was the only local authority in Scotland to see a fall in the number of people employed in tourism which is extremely disappointing considering our stunning natural landscape and central location. We have a lot to offer locally and must do more to raise awareness of Clackmannanshire with visitors from home and abroad.

Scotland has been ranked second in the Rough Guides list of countries in the world to visit this year and I will be meeting with VisitScotland in the near future to see what can be done to ensure that Clackmannanshire can make the most of the opportunities this brings.

I am pleased that councils will be given powers to tackle problem gambling after a Holyrood committee backed changes to planning rules. Under the new rules councils will be able to block any change in premises to a betting shop, allowing local authorities to tackle the clustering of betting shops, a practice which has disproportionately affected many of our most deprived communities.

While plenty of people enjoy a casual flutter, the proliferation of betting offices – often concentrated together – has led to serious cases of problem gambling and debt. These new powers are a big step forward for local communities.