I warmly welcome the Budget delivered today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Having previously been Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Chancellor, I know that he is committed to responsible management of our economy while responding appropriately to the challenges we face.

I welcome the publication of today’s report into Operation Conifer by Wiltshire Police.

Media outlets over the past weeks and months have speculated repeatedly and sometimes wildly on the substance and veracity of the allegations made against Sir Edward Heath.

The announcement today of the preferred route for the A303 upgrade near Stonehenge shows that the project remains on track. This critical new infrastructure will slash journey times to the West Country and alleviate traffic problems and rat-running in nearby villages.

The Prime Minister has this week triggered Article 50, beginning the process of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union.

I was pleased to secure a debate in the House of Commons to discuss hare coursing and rural policing.

On Friday, I brought the Merchant Shipping (Homosexual Conduct) Bill to the House of Commons for its Second Reading.

The launch of today’s consultation on upgrades to the A303 at Stonehenge, including a bypass for Winterbourne Stoke, is very welcome news. 

Last month I was delighted to welcome Salisbury sixth form student Nancy Hawthorn to Parliament for work experience. At the end of her week Nancy wrote about her experience and what it was like to work in my Westminster office.

I was shocked to learn when speaking with the charity Guide Dogs how often blind people miss their stop because they do not know where they are. In fact 7 in 10 passengers with sight loss have been forgotten on a bus as they missed their stop and were unable to know where on the route they were.

Like all Conservatives I share a deep conviction in the transformational role a high quality education can play in changing an individual’s life chances.