Last Friday, I joined the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce to discuss the various opportunities and challenges we face here when it comes to ‘levelling up’.

As things stand, I feel rural businesses in west Dorset have not been championed as much as they should be by the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), and I intend to make sure we can better showcase all West Dorset has to offer.

I petitioned the Government to shake up the LEP because of this, and I’m pleased that we are getting closer to that reform.

On Wednesday last week, I spoke in the House of Commons on the need for a railway service fit for the south west and reconnected to London.

The Prime Minister confirmed that he expected the timetable to be reinstated in February. I will therefore be doing all I can to make sure South Western Railway is held to task on this commitment.

The Chancellor’s announcement of a £200 rebate for some households on energy bills will be of major assistance to people and I will be supporting the Government on any efforts to ease the burden energy prices have placed on the working people of West Dorset.

We have many examples of what we as a country should be looking at for long term solutions. We have 6% more smart meters installed here than the national average and near Poundbury, we have the UK’s first biomethane to grid anaerobic digestion plant. This provides sustainable, renewable gas to around 7,500 homes mid-winter and up to 100,000 homes in the summer.

Her Majesty The Queen celebrated 70 years on the throne last Sunday. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is a reminder of just how fortunate we are to have had Her Majesty the Queen in our lives for so long. The Queen has been and remains a stable constant in all our lives and is a reminder of all that is great about our country. Long may she reign.

CHRIS LODER WEST DORSET MP