With MP Lindsey Hoyle

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, delivered his pre-Budget report to the House of Commons last Wednesday announcing a package of measures for pensioners, schools, families and fuel duty.

The chancellor had tried to satisfy a number of competing demands and managed to provide something for everyone. The basic state pension is set to rise from April by £5 for a single person and £8 for a couple, with a further rise of £3 and £4.80 the year after.

The winter fuel payment will also rise this year from £150 to £200 in order to help pensioners meet their fuel bills. After campaigning for increases in the basic state pension I was pleased with the Chancellor's announcement.

There was also good news for schools with more cash being given directly to schools to spend how they think fit, totalling an extra £200 million being invested in education.

With the Working Families Tax Credit and record increases in Child Benefit, this Government is looking to help hard working families. Indeed it now appears that full employment is once again an achievable goal.

On the issue of fuel duty, the chancellor has announced a freeze in fuel duty for the next two years and reductions on duty on low sulphur unleaded petrol which is set to become widely available across the UK.

Road tax will be cut next year by £55 for all new vehicles with a 1500cc engine or smaller. Altogether the package has set out the Government's priorities and managed to help those most in need.

St Michael's School Presentation Evening:

The annual awards evening at St Michael's Secondary was held recently and I was fortunate enough to attend. It is always good to see the number of achievements and awards won by pupils as standards in our schools continue to rise. On his recent visit to Chorley, the secretary of state for education and employment, David Blunkett, stated that we should be proud of our schools. He is quite right and congratulations must go to all pupils who help make St Michael's such a good school.

Japanese Prisoners of War:

I was delighted with the Government's announcement to pay compensation to prisoners of war from the Far East. I have lobbied government ministers on this matter since being elected and was pleased to see the decision to pay compensation being taken.

Every Japanese prisoner of war will receive £10,000 and payments will also be made to the widows of the prisoners of war. Since the war successive governments have declined to make payments due to the sensitive nature of the issue and I am thankful that at last the prisoners of war veterans have been given what they deserve.

Friends of Chorley Hospital:

The 50th Anniversary of the Friends of Chorley Hospital was commemorated with the unveiling of a plaque at the hospital last week. The Friends have worked tirelessly campaigning for extra funds and better services.

Chorley Hospital has developed from a district hospital into a large centre, able to accommodate more and more people, and provide the majority of medical services in demand.

Coppull Gymnasts:

The opening of the new bar at Coppull Leisure Centre took place with a display from local gymnasts. It was impressive to see the wealth of young local talent on display. With more and more facilities for young people, sport and recreation can be open to more people and encourage individuals from an early age to apply their talents. Gymnastics is an important Olympic event and one area in which Britain can do better. I am sure that by having the opportunity to participate in all forms of sport we will continue to provide future Olympic champions.