LAST week was dominated by the Budget and I welcomed the whole package of announcements which together make up a radical plan to keep the whole country moving to a more productive, higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare society and a plan that puts the economic, financial and national security of our great country first. So far, local reaction to the various measures has been positive, especially among the small businesses in the Constituency who are the lifeblood of our economy, but if you would like more detail then please do get in touch via my details shown below.

On Friday I headed off to various local meetings including a visit to see the work starting on the new footbridge at Pewsey Station. Despite the sterling efforts of Trevor Bevan MBE, who has been our wonderful station master at Pewsey for more than 40 years, the existing footbridge is long past its sell-by date (and was second-hand when erected in 1969) and I am really pleased that our calls to improve the bridge have paid off with this £465,000 new investment which will open in October.

From there I headed to Burbage Primary School for a celebration party, held to mark the huge achievement of returning the school to a 'good' Ofsted rating, from a 'needs improvement' rating only three years ago. This is a remarkable turnaround with only two per cent of schools across the country improving this rapidly and it is testament to the commitment of the new head teacher, the staff and governors who have worked so hard, the local parents and community who have been so supportive, and of course the pupils who have risen to the challenge.

As part of the turnaround, Burbage joined the Excalibur Academies Trust and used this to forge close links and share resources with partner schools within the trust, as well as working with schools that are further afield and it is great news that the new Academy model is working so well. As a former governor of St John's/Excalibur it is good to see the ambition to really push up achievements in partner schools coming to fruition.

I then held one of my advice surgeries in the school – at child-sized desks in the new library, and to the accompaniment of the school choir. I finally headed home with plates of cakes for my family. To book for my next (sadly cake-free) advice surgery, or for any budget information, please do email me at claire.perry.mp@parliament.uk or telephone my Devizes office on (01380) 729358.