AS Christmas approaches and the weather grows colder, I welcome this week’s news that the government has taken action to reduce energy bills.

I think it is a sensible and achievable move to transfer the burden away from the most vulnerable by reducing green levies while still providing worthwhile incentives for those who embrace green initiatives, funded through a further crackdown on tax avoidance.

Meanwhile, the focus of the week in Westminster has been today’s Autumn Statement by the Chancellor, which is expected to bring a confirmation of improved growth estimates for the UK economy.

While this is long-anticipated good news, I am concerned that the effects of this accelerating growth should be felt across all income groups and sections of society.

That is why I have joined the All Party Parliamentary Group for Food Poverty, which is chaired by Frank Field MP.

Awareness of food poverty in this country has, thankfully, been on the rise for some time, but it is crucial that we analyse the deeper causes of need and determine what can be done to avoid individuals falling into crisis situations – especially in Salisbury, the birthplace of the Trussell Trust.

I look forward to a catch-up with Trussell Trust leaders this Friday and will have a packed day of surgery appointments and visits.

It will be a pleasure to be back in Salisbury on a Friday after three Fridays in November confined in London in order to help ensure the progress of the European Referendum Bill.

Small Business Saturday is almost here and I will also be checking in with the Federation of Small Businesses on some of the initiatives being put into place and taking my first opportunity to have a proper look at this year’s Christmas market.

I hope that today will bring positive news on business rates. It is pleasing to see progress being made locally on parking, although I have always said that it is not the only thing that needs to happen to improve the outlook for high street independents in Salisbury.

Positivity is growing and I hope that all the efforts that have been made will come together to help our local retailers attract the support they need from you and I to enjoy a successful trading period in the run-up to Christmas.