I have been taking the temperature of local business recently as the economy appears to have turned a corner and it is important to see if this is translating into confidence at the coal face. Of course, the picture is not a uniform one but I get the sense that things are picking up after the longest and deepest recession that any of us can remember. However, there are still some dark clouds, particularly since much of the European Union remains in the red and it is our biggest trading bloc. Nevertheless as we contemplate the New Year I think that we are in a much happier place than we were a year ago. In Tisbury last week I toured the high street and talked with shopkeepers, small businesses and customers. The small towns in Wiltshire have particular issues that can easily be forgotten by policy makers in Westminster.

In particular, it is often not appreciated that a car is no luxury in an area like ours and that policies that make sense if you live in the centre in London can cause difficulty if you live in relative isolation. I think the coalition government understands this better than its predecessor but nevertheless it is incumbent on those of us that represent constituencies with large swathes to keep up the pressure.

Wiltshire has always enjoyed relative diversity in its labour market so has been able to sustain downturns reasonably well. However, there are now a million more people in work than in 2010 and in our area, as elsewhere, this is beginning to show.

I am particularly pleased that we have been able to create 1.5 million apprenticeships helping the next generation to succeed in the global race and to get on in life. In the spirit of austerity I have severely pruned my Christmas Card list this year but would like to take this opportunity to wish all my constituents a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.