THIS week provided an opportunity for me to raise an important local matter in a 30-minute Westminster Hall debate.

For many years the issue of poor or nonexistent mobile coverage in many rural areas surrounding Salisbury has been a frustrating problem but the government’s solution – the Mobile Infrastructure Project – seems to be slow to deliver the anticipated improvements.

My debate sought to draw out from the minister what more can be done to fill the gap in “not spot” areas which cause so much inconvenience to the people of Bowerchalke, Ebbesbourne Wake, Broad Chalke and the Woodford Valley.

At the time of writing the minister’s response is not known but this, alongside the rollout of superfast broadband to the “hard to reach” areas, remains a key priority for me.

I also visited the NEST (the National Employment Savings Trust) prior to a DWP select committee hearing on Wednesday which focused on the challenges small businesses face in setting up pensions arrangements for employees. It was a pleasure to see local businesswoman and FSB representative Sandra Silk attend the hearing in Westminster to ensure that the voice of Wiltshire’s many hardworking small businesses are heard at the heart of policy making.

On Friday I am hoping to be able to make time to visit Salisbury’s Higher Education Day at Bishop Wordsworth’s.

This is a very useful event for sixthformers with 65 universities, apprenticeship providers, gap year operators and local employers putting on an exhibition so that young people can make informed choices about what to do after sixth form.