IT has been a busy week, both in Central Devon and up in Westminster.

Locally, I visited Harcombe House in Chudleigh – a respite and rehabilitation centre of The Fire Fighters Charity – where I met Chief Executive Dr Jill Tolfrey and Estates and Facilities Lead Richard Jenkins.

As we toured their fantastic facilities we discussed the important work the charity does to help serving and former firefighters and their dependants.

This could be dealing with a life-changing injury, health diagnosis or mental health issues.

In Cheriton Bishop I met local Mid Devon District Councillor Derek Coren and Village Hall Committee members Bill Jeffery and Peter O’Neill.

Three weeks ago there was a major fire at the village hall, with eight engines dispatched by the Fire Service to tackle it.

Thankfully no-one was injured and the neighbouring Cheriton Bishop and Teign Valley GP Practice was untouched, but the damage to the village hall is extensive.

While it might be possible to avoid a complete demolition it will be some time before the facility is back in use – a big blow to the local community.

I visited Powderham Castle to support Heritage Open Days 2022 – an initiative that enables people to visit places of historical importance for free.

As an avid historian I very much enjoyed speaking to staff about the educational courses available to local schools, which give children a unique insight into Victorian life.

During my visit I also caught up with the Earl of Devon who sits in the House of Lords.

In Westminster my main focus has been Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget, which he delivered on Friday, September 23.

I was the second MP to speak in the House of Commons and my contribution can be viewed at: www.melstridemp.com/sept22budget .

It was absolutely right that the Chancellor is funding a massive support package for the energy bills of businesses and households but the wisdom of huge tax cuts in the face of significant inflation is less obvious.

Success here depends on the ability of these cuts (along with other measures) to grow the economy and pay for themselves.

It is not clear how quickly that can happen.

What might have given us at least some idea would have been if the Government had instructed the independent forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility to provide a forecast at the same time. But this was not to be and I think that was a mistake.

Financial and currency markets like transparency and need the reassurance of an independent forecast to show that tax cuts are being made in a way that is fiscally responsible.

We will learn more in due course on this and as Chair of the Treasury Select Committee I will ensure that we look into these issues fully including via the Chancellor appearing before us.

I also recently had the honour of attending the Commons to swear an oath of allegiance to our new king, Charles III.

More from Mel at: www.melstridemp.com or follow him on twitter @MelJStride.