Throughout November I have been supporting the Movember charity – growing a moustache to raise awareness of men’s health issues, in particular prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health. This is a fun way of tackling a very serious issue. The Movember charity has done an incredible job and in just a few years has gone from nothing to raising millions the world over. That said, I’m glad it’s over and am very happy it’s gone!

As we approach Christmas, I am encouraging people across the constituency to shop locally and support small businesses. I have been lucky enough to have been invited to a number of Christmas lights switch-on events in the area and I commend the local councils and groups of retailers for working together to make add a festive atmosphere to our shopping centres.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy; they employ millions of people and make a fantastic contribution to our local communities. Let’s support them to ensure their survival and success.

In Parliament this week, I am steering a Bill through the House of Commons. In my role as a Minister in the Department for Work and Pensions, I will introduce the Mesothelioma Bill and lead it through the Committee stages.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium – a membrane that lines some of our body cavities – and is commonly, but not exclusively, linked to exposure to asbestos.

It is a dreadful disease and this Bill is long overdue. The Bill will set up a lump-sum payment scheme which will be funded by insurers and will provide much-needed financial assistance for sufferers and their dependents.

At the end of last week, I took 622 parcels to the sorting office in the House of Commons for our Treats for our Troops campaign. We have had an incredible response this year, the best ever. I am delighted (and a bit relieved) that a local company agreed to help me transport the parcels to London. I thank everyone who took the time and effort to make up a parcel and the Hemel Lions for their tremendous help in ensuring all the parcels are well wrapped and within the correct weight and size limits.

The campaign is now closed. Although we are due to pull out of Afghanistan this coming year, I hope to run a campaign next year to send parcels to troops who are still serving overseas and far away from home. That may be the Falkland Islands or other locations, I will let you know.

Finally, I thank everyone for their support over the past year and wish you all a happy Christmas and healthy and prosperous 2014.

This article was first published in the Hemel Hempstead Gazette.