Last week’s strong jobs figures show that more than 1.4 million new jobs have now been created since the General Election, bringing the unemployment rate below seven per cent for the first time since the recession.

We also saw another fall in the number of Jobseekers in the Chippenham constituency, meaning that the total has come down by a quarter in the last year.

This recovery would not be happening without the Liberal Democrats in Government. We have cut income tax by £700 for more than 25 million people on low and middle incomes, including 190,000 in Wiltshire, helping to ensure that work always pays.

We are also investing in apprenticeships, which are a great way for young people to learn the skills they need to get on in life, and I have been encouraging local employers to take on apprentices. Youth unemployment has now fallen to its lowest level in five years.

The number of people outside the labour market entirely – neither working nor looking for work – has fallen by half a million under the Coalition Government.

That represents great progress, but also a new challenge. Those returning to the labour market after a long period outside it need support to prevent them from becoming unemployed long-term – something I have highlighted to Ministers in the House of Commons.

We must now secure the recovery so that businesses can continue to expand and create new jobs. I am working closely with local employers to bring job-creating investment to our part of Wiltshire. We must also be careful not to put jobs at risk by talk of leaving the European Union, on trade with whom three million British jobs depend.

After a heated debate at County Hall last week, Conservative councillors have refused to grant planning permission for the proposed Sandridge solar farm near Melksham.

This means we could lose out on clean energy to power 11,000 homes as well as a £1 million contribution to the local community from the developer. Having rejected this proposal, I fear the council may end up permitting smaller installations in far less suitable locations.

I am currently recruiting a personal assistant to run my diary and constituency office in Chippenham. For the job description and details of how to apply, visit www.w4mp.org.uk.

My next constituency surgery will be at Bradford on Avon library on Friday, May 9 from 10am to 11.30am.