THIS year I have been contacted by hundreds of constituents concerned about the future of local pubs and the pub industry across the UK and the impact which closures have on rural communities.

Representing many rural villages and smaller communities, I know only too well the value which pubs bring to an area, providing not only a focal point for village activity and socialising but also valuable local employment and any loss can be devastating to a local community.

One such pub in the constituency, the Hop Pole in Limpley Stoke has been closed or threatened with closure for some time and I am delighted to hear of its planned re-opening and refurbishment.

I am looking forward to meeting the new local tenants and working with them to provide any support I am able to in order to preserve the pub as the heart of the community for many years to come.

Similarly, Heineken has just announced significant investment and the creation of new jobs in the Great Western Pub in Corsham and Chippenham will soon see the opening of its first micro pub, creating more jobs for local residents.

The issue of loneliness and isolation is one which has rightly been given the attention it deserves in recent years and pubs play a vital role in bringing people together and add value to people far beyond just money and employment.

I will continue to highlight this to MPs and Ministers alike and support local pubs in any way I can.

I was delighted with the recent announcement by Environment Secretary Michael Gove of a new pilot scheme, backed with £15m in funding, to work with manufacturers to cut food waste.

I have supported the Chippenham based organisation ‘MAD About Food Waste’ who work to highlight ways in which we can all minimise our own food waste but also to encourage re-distribution of food waste from supermarkets and manufacturers to charities and organisations and this pilot and investment will make a real difference in tackling this issue.

Currently 43,000 tonnes of food is re-distributed from retailers to community groups to avoid it being wasted but around 100,000 tons is not.

This scheme will seek to eat into this amount further.

Food waste is bad for the environment, bad for businesses and is morally indefensible in a time when so many globally do not have the food they need to feed their families so this is a big step towards dealing with the problem and one which I will be supporting in full.

I have just confirmed the next 15 surgery dates across the constituency for autumn so if you would like the dates and times for these to come along and speak with me on any issue then please contact me on 01249 704465 or email michelle.donelan.mp@parliament.uk for more information.