THE early part of the week was dominated by the announcement of an additional £1.3 billion of funding for schools over the next two years, which will mean that schools funding will be £2.6 billion higher in 2019-20 than it is now and that there will be an increase in the basic amount that every pupil will get, plus protected funding for those with high needs.

This is in addition to the planned fairer funding formula, which is already set to equalise funding across the country – redressing an inherited imbalance that has disadvantaged Wiltshire over many years.

I have been involved in extensive lobbying – first for more money for Wiltshire – and then for more even distribution locally, to ensure that all Salisbury schools would share in the benefits.

This additional money will ensure once and for all that pupils with similar needs will attract the same level of funding, regardless of what part of the country they live in or which school they go to.

I was delighted last week to hear of the success of Wiltshire police’s operation to disrupt drug supply chains in our community.

It was a superb example of proactive policing, using intelligence to prevent future crimes and deter criminals by showing them that there is no such thing as a safe haven for them to ply their trade in and around Salisbury.

The way in which specifically rural crimes are policed and punished has been a recurring theme in my postbag and I was delighted on Monday to be able to support the National Farmers Union at the launch of its Combatting Rural Crime report.

Last weekend, I was pleased to be able to drop in to the Salisbury Area Young Musicians Jazz concert, raising money for the James Vaughan Foundation.

It was heart-warming to not only hear some superb performances but to see the community come together to support a wonderful cause and bring some good out of a family’s tragic loss.

This Friday, a typically busy schedule takes in visits to the hospital, Porton Down and the museum, alongside a full advice surgery.