There was good news in last week’s budget for families, motorists and businesses.

The fuel duty cut will bring welcome relief to many and the raising of the personal allowance – a Liberal Democrat priority – will let low and modestly paid people keep more of what they earn, taking over a million such people out of paying income tax altogether.

There were pleasant surprises as well.

The Green Investment Bank will receive an extra £2 billion in capital funds and will begin operation a year earlier than expected.

Charities also received a boost in the shape of changes to simplify the Gift Aid scheme for small donations and a ten per cent cut in Inheritance Tax for those leaving ten per cent or more of their assets to charity in their wills.

In the House of Commons this week, I asked the Prime Minister to adopt measures to ensure NHS GP Consortiums are democratically accountable, as had been proposed at the recent Liberal Democrat conference.

At Treasury questions, I suggested means of targeting tax avoidance to reduce the deficit, and, later in the week, I questioned the Foreign Secretary about the future of assets frozen in response to events in North Africa.

Away from the Chamber, I met with the Wessex Reserve Forces and Cadet Association to discuss their work and the challenges they face.

I look forward to seeing more of this for myself when I visit the Air Training Corps and Melksham Cadets during the Easter recess.

Back in the constituency, I snapped up a bargain after opening the Year 2 exhibition of the Bradford on Avon Photography Group in the town’s West Barn.

I also spoke at a Wiltshire Parkinsons UK event about my campaigning in Parliament on disability benefits and pressing Ministers for changes to the Health Bill.

Over the weekend, I was out door-knocking in Melksham to listen to the views of residents. I was pleased to be able to act on some concerns when I met with representatives of Sainsbury’s to discuss the planting of hundreds of replacement trees required following the extension of their store and car park in Melksham. I pressed for more semi-mature trees to be included and other measures to achieve initial screening.

My next surgeries will be held tomorrow from 10.30am to noon at Avonbridge House in Chippenham, and Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Paxcroft Community Centre.