Since the election, the Liberal Democrats in Government have helped businesses create one million new jobs, building a stronger economy in a fairer society.

However, the number of people in work has risen faster than unemployment statistics have fallen.

This is because hidden unemployment, the number of people classified as ‘economically inactive’ (not in work, but not available to work either), has fallen by more than 400,000.

This is welcome news as long as they are finding work, but it means that many people are returning to the jobs market after years outside it.

In Parliament, I highlighted this to Ministers, emphasising the particular support they require to get jobs so that they are not left seeking work for long.

Members of our local Bangladeshi community follow with concern political developments there. The Prime Minister’s statement on return from the Commonwealth summit gave me the opportunity to put these concerns to him on the floor of the House of Commons, in particular whether their ‘International Crimes Tribunal’ is upholding fair trial standards, and the use of the death penalty for those convicted by it.

I am pleased to report that the Foreign Secretary has raised these issues with the Government of Bangladesh, as part of our work to promote democracy and human rights in the Commonwealth.

It was a constituent with family missing in the Philippines whose distress moved me to support the Disasters Emergency Committee’s appeal. You will have seen the horrific images of the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan. More than 5,000 people have tragically lost their lives, and over 13 million more have had their communities ripped apart.

I would urge you to visit www.dec.org.uk to help them if you can. The British public has already shown its generosity by donating more than £60 million.

The Government is also providing over £50 million in humanitarian assistance, including temporary shelters, blankets and water purification tablets, demonstrating the vital difference overseas aid makes.

Two Royal Navy ships have been sent to help deliver food and supplies, so the crew of HMS Illustrious, like so many of our armed forces, will spend Christmas serving away from their families.

My next constituency surgeries are at Melksham Town Hall on Friday from 3pm to 4.30pm and at my office in Avonbridge House, Chippenham on Monday, December 9 (10am-11.30am).