Last week’s Autumn Statement was no giveaway from the Chancellor, but it did include welcome measures to make taxes fairer.

Stamp duty has been reformed, cutting it for 98 per cent of those who pay it.

The Liberal Democrats have long called for these changes, and we’ve also been arguing that those who are fortunate enough to be able to afford to buy houses worth more than £1m should make a greater contribution, which they now will.

I was particularly pleased to see more support for apprentices. Lib Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable has invested heavily in apprenticeships, enabling two million people to start one since 2010, including 20,000 in Wiltshire. From 2016 employers will pay no National Insurance contributions on apprentices under 25.

Local small businesses got a boost with Small Business Rate Relief doubled for an extra year, and an extra £500 discount for small shops, pubs and cafés.

Much of this will be paid for from tougher taxes on those who have previously found ways to avoid them.

My Lib Dem colleague in the Treasury Danny Alexander has been focused on collecting £9 billion of tax revenues which until now have been avoided, and new measures target ‘non-doms’ who’ve been living here a long time and large multinational companies who artificially shift their profits abroad.

My last two train journeys from Chippenham to London began with me seated on the floor of the carriage – on one of them, alongside a young woman and her crutches.

I told the Transport Secretary in the House of Commons last Thursday and called for additional services to relieve overcrowding. The new Oxford to Bristol rail service I am campaigning for with other MPs along the route could help and also facilitate the re-opening of Corsham station.

On Friday, I was the only one of Wiltshire’s MPs to vote to enshrine in law our country’s commitment to provide 0.7 per cent of national income in overseas aid, helping to fulfil a 40-year-old pledge our country made to help the world’s poorest.

My Liberal Democrat colleague Michael Moore MP’s International Development Bill has now successfully completed its passage through the House of Commons, despite opposition from some Conservative MPs.

My next constituency surgery will be at Melksham Town Hall on Saturday from 10am–11.30am.