North Cotswolds MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown writes in his monthly column for the Wilts and Glos Standard.

It has already been a rather busy September back in the House.

I was delighted to have been elected the Chairman for the Public Accounts Committee.

This is an important Committee that will be scrutinising spending decisions of the Government, and ensuring taxpayers’ money is used as efficiently as possible.

It’s a massive task, but I am looking forward to getting started.

I have really enjoyed getting out and about in the North Cotswolds constituency over the summer, especially to all the new towns and villages that have been added to the new seat.

Monthly surgeries are planned in Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Camden and Brockworth.

We have discussed many local issues from the A417 Air Balloon work to housing developments, and I will be doing my all to ensure that all these issues will be raised with the appropriate Ministers in Parliament.

At the beginning of the month, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Moreton Show as President meeting people who had travelled the country over.

I walked around with Stuart Mace, Moreton in Marsh Agricultural and Horse Show Society chairman, meeting farmers and all types of livestock.

The Livestock Grand parade was spectacular, as well as the many rural trade stands who did brilliant business on the day.

I want to particularly thank our volunteers that made it possible, and I cannot wait to attend again next year.

The return to Westminster was a reminder of the harsh reality of what it is like to live under a Labour Government.

The Labour Party have had a rocky start, with their first notable policy being the removal of the winter fuel allowance from nearly 10 million pensioners.

I have received lots of correspondence from concerned constituents about this matter; worried about how they are going to pay their heating bills this winter.

There are also further concerns due to the upcoming increase to the Energy Price Cap, which is due to rise by 10% from October 1st.

During the election, Keir Starmer promised that there were no plans to change eligibility for the winter fuel payments and pensioners would be protected. We now know this is not correct.

Bringing forward this policy in such quick succession just as the weather is getting colder is very unwise, and one that the Prime Minister would have criticised if he was still in opposition.

Age UK have estimated that over 2 million pensioners will be adversely affected by this policy.

The failure to produce proper economic impact assessment on the policy is a bad precedent to set so early on in this Parliament.

It is only due to the successful lobbying of the Conservative Opposition that there was a chance to debate and vote on this policy on the floor of the House.

Unfortunately, the policy was voted through, but with over 50 Labour MPs abstaining.

Even though the vote was passed, I would like to assure all my constituents that the Conservative Opposition put up a spiritual fight in Parliament on this issue and will lobby for further support to be made available for those pensioners who might struggle through the winter.