THE Army Rebasing programme will

see over £1bn of investment locally,

and new schools or extensions are being built across the South Wiltshire area.

But head teachers including Susan Raeburn at Bulford Kiwi made me aware several years ago that the traditional process of “per pupil funding following an annual census” made it difficult for local schools with large increases in pupils due to re-basing moves – the money required to plan and recruit teachers was coming too late.

I was delighted therefore, that after several years of campaigning by myself and Baroness Scott, the Minister for Schools, Nick Gibb, and the Department for Education have agreed that our schools need more help to deal with this specific local challenge and I am absolutely delighted that we have secured an additional £2.8m to support the brilliant work of our local schools and teachers.

London was even more bustling with activity than usual last week – not just because of the fantastic weather, but because we were hosting the Commonwealth heads of government meeting – an amazing get together attended by 53 nations.

The flags were flying, the streets were thronged with people from all around the world in a celebration of our diversity that also reminded us that we are all joined together by our shared history and vision for the future.

As Minister for Energy and Clean Growth, I was able to attend a number of events to build on the work we have been doing in co-operation with Commonwealth leaders to address climate change.

I was proud to be able to announce to world leaders that we would be looking to raise our ambition by asking the committee on climate change for advice on how we could reach zero emissions by 2050 but still maintain affordable energy and heat, and that

we also want to help other countries cut their emissions and grow sustainably.