LAST month started with paying respects to those who had died in past wars. I was pleased to join people in Callington this year for their remembrance service. We must never forget the sacrifice they made so we can grow old in a free country.

One of the main announcements was the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement and I believe it was good news for South East Cornwall. Some residents had approached me with concerns over tax credits and I gave their representations to the Chancellor.

I am very pleased that, because of the improvement in the public finances, the Chancellor was able avoid the proposed changes. It is good to have a government that listens to concerns.

I was also pleased that the Chancellor was able to set some money aside to help with our water bills. In the statement he announced that he will continue to provide £50 off the water bills of South West Water customers, for the rest of this Parliament.

This was a good budget for younger people. A new apprenticeship levy to deliver three million apprenticeships will ensure large businesses share the cost of training people but no business with a pay bill below £3-million will have to pay.

We will also increase the funding for each apprenticeship to make sure these are high quality apprenticeships.

The real terms protection of schools budget will maintain funding for free infant school meals, protect rates for the pupil premium and increase the cash in the dedicated schools grant.

The Government is also going to open 500 new free schools and University Technical Colleges and invest £23-billion in school buildings and 600,000 new school places.

The Government is committed to the largest ever investment in free childcare so working families get the help they need. From 2017, it will fund 30 hours of free childcare for working families with three and four year olds.

The Government will support £10,000 of childcare costs tax free and to support nurseries delivering more free places for parents the government will increase the funding for the sector by £300-million.

Much of the talk as we enter December at is about the terrible situation in Syria. Many people have criticised politicians in the past for living in their ivory towers and sending others off to war. I can assure everyone that this is the most difficult decision I have to take as the mother of a serving Royal Naval officer.

I am also reminded of my predecessor John Rathbone who was a flight lieutenant and fighter pilot with the Royal Air Force who lost his life during the second world war at the age of 30. He served as the MP for my seat from the 1935 general election until his death and we commemorate him with a plaque just along from the speakers chair.

I have consulted both local members and constituents to get their views. Yes I have had a few emails against action but the vast majority of those I asked gave their support for the Prime Minister’s position.

That is why I gave my full backing to the Prime Minister, as a mother, as someone who does not stand idly by when our neighbour is attacked and as someone who does not cower in a corner when under threat.

Lastly I would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and festive period. Please remember to thank all those people who have to work over Christmas to keep us safe and look out for those who are alone and vulnerable at this time of year. In particular I spare a thought for all those who are on the front line in the war against terrorism.