Every week, MPs receive a slew of letters from Ministers.

Known as “Dear Colleague” letters they cover a huge range of topics and highlight under-reported but nevertheless valuable changes, developments or shifts in policy. Several that caught my eye recently were: The saving of cheques. I could never understand why cheques were doomed as they are an important part of the payments system and the only way that many people feel comfortable paying bills and maintaining their financial records. Even those of us who sport laptops like an extra limb enjoy the ritual of paying the bills by cheque and it was welcome news that the target of closing cheque clearing by 2018 has been cancelled.

Apprenticeships. There have been almost 327,000 people starting apprenticeships since September 2010, up by one-third in a year. Unlike some previous schemes these are the real deal with trainees joining a company and learning on-the-job skills, which is great news for the skill base of the British economy.

Postal Services. Post offices are vital in our Wiltshire villages and market towns and the new Postal Services Act that received Royal Assent on June 13 includes a funding commitment of £1.34 billion pounds to the Post Office network, a commitment to maintain the branch network at its current size and a plan to make the PO the “front office of Government” with access to new government services such as document verification and support for job seekers in rural areas already being offered.

Quarantine. Zinzan the Perry wonder dog has never put his paws on foreign soil due to all the fuss and bother over British quarantine laws, which date from the 1800s and which are no longer proportionate to the rabies risk according to the Government’s Chief Medical Officer.

A new common sense approach is being taken that means pets will only have to wait 21 days after vaccination and blood tests (instead of the current 6 months) before travelling to the UK from the EU and developed countries. This should save pet owners around £7 million a year and countless hours of hassle.

I know from door knocking on the campaign trail for Albert Wooldridge, the Conservative candidate in today’s by-election in Devizes, that many people are away but nevertheless if I can help you with anything, if or you would like to come to one my advice sessions , call my office on (01380) 729358, write to me at the House of Commons or email me on Claire.perry.mp@parliament.uk