I raised again the issue of mothers fleeing domestic abuse, being forced to return to the country, and even homes, where they suffered that abuse because of flaws in the Hague Convention. I am glad to see the Government listening, and starting the work needed to change this.

Stockport is worse off under the Labour Government's funding settlement, despite containing the most deprived part of GM. We appear to have missed out on the recovery grant by 0.01%. I want the Gov't to ensure the most vulnerable people won't be affected by their decision.

It was lovely to attend the carol service at Lisburne School earlier this week, with my councillor colleagues Dan and Wendy. It's cracking to be able to support so much that is going on locally at Christmas. #MerryChristmas #HoHoHo

One of the problems with the Government's approach to development is that constituents are asked to look at the Labour Government's Local Plan for Stockport and comment on all the housebuilding that it contains, and no infrastructure. I asked the Minister to reverse that.

Misinformation is circulating online and in the real world about planning applications. No such application has been made, and it is concerning that people are going to these lengths to create division. zurl.co/g5zpq

I had a lovely time with Smartie at the House of Commons this week. She was the therapy dog who came in with the brilliant Spread A Smile team for their drop in this week. Anyone who has ever seen me with my lovely rescue dog Bonnie knows this would be the highlight of my week.

I've been pursuing the Department for Health and Social Care to find out what they have been doing to address the substantial waiting times affecting neurology patients: questions-statements.parliam...

This week I: Took part in the Greater Manchester APPG, driving forward the agenda for Stockport in Parliament. Used a debate on water scarcity to raise Marple Locks and the state of the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals following recent navigation closure notices.

I went down to listen to the protesters from Save Bosden Farm and Offerton's greenbelt at the weekend. It's really important that we focus on brown field, and that developments have the infrastructure needed. If you agree, sign my petition: www.lisasmart.org.uk/campaig...

Thanks to everyone for making me so welcome at the Christmas Tree Festival in Romiley this weekend. #MerryChristmas #HoHoHo

Thank you to the APPG on HIV and AIDS for providing us a really useful drop-in on what is being done and what needs to be done to hit the target of zero new HIV cases by 2030.

Network Rail run a digital notification scheme to allow people to get advance warning when there are works going on in the area. You can sign up here: www.networkrail.co.uk/sign-up/

I regularly visit local students, who are inspired and inspiring in what they want to achieve for our country. But their faith in democracy is shaken when they see our elections being influenced by massive donations. The Government must act to restore trust in our system.

At its best, the NHS is a great British institution, and I am fighting hard to get Stepping Hill the funding it needs. Which is why it is desperately disappointing to see the Government syphoning off money from it to pay multinationals. This should not happen. #NHS

I'm incredibly proud of the work that Stockport Samaritans – and their equivalents across the country – do to support people who need their help. The Government needs to do more to tackle the alarming suicide rates across the country.

Stopping trade theft from vehicles is crucial for small businesses, and the Government needs to update their approach: that's why I'm supporting my colleague Victoria Collins motion pushing for action on this. edm.parliament.uk/early-day-...

I've been chasing the Department of Business and Trade about what they are doing to consult on changing fireworks legislation. Frustratingly, they refer to "further action" without letting me know what it is. I shall continue to push for action. questions-statements.parliam...

It's always great to be out and about in the best constituency in the land, talking to you. Thanks to my colleagues who were out and about with me in Hazel Grove. #HazelGrove

Many of you know my passion for improving our democracy, and in my new Cabinet Office role, I frequently get to challenge threats to it. I spoke earlier this week about putting China on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.

Great to see how much got raised for the Stepping Hill charity at the fab gala they held last week. Well done to everyone who made this happen. stockport.nub.news/news/loca...

I am well aware of the problems that roadworks frequently cause across our area. While some are inevitable, better coordination is required, and it is good to hear that the "Street Manager" system that the Government provides is being improved. questions-statements.parliam...

It was great to see so many friendly faces at the St Albans Christmas Fair at the weekend. #MerryChristmas #HoHoHo

Thanks to everyone at Greave Primary for welcoming me to the school on Friday. It's always great to see kids getting engaged with local politics.

I had a lovely time at the Offerton Christmas Market on Saturday, and well done to Santa for making it so quickly from one Christmas event to the next. He really is magical. #MerryChristmas #HoHoHo

Thank you to Romiley Primary School for inviting me to their Christmas Fair. I was absolutely hooked! #MerryChristmas #HoHoHo

Pushing for information on autism and ADHD support within the Right to Choose pathway. questions-statements.parliam...

The Government needs to address the cliff edge of the Special Guardianship Support Fund, with adoptive parents looking after some of the country's most vulnerable children needing certainty. That's why I challenged the Minister in Parliament this week.

Thanks to everyone – particularly Santa – for making it such a lovely start to the Christmas season at Marple Wharf this weekend with the New Horizons team #MerryChristmas #HoHoHo

Great to see the Government regulator has u-turned on the ridiculous plan to send an empty train from Manchester to London every day. zurl.co/jUrH0

This week I was in Parliament for the budget – some positives, including the removal of the two child benefit cap – but the failure to reset our trade relationship with Europe, worrying signs on the digital services tax and higher taxes mean that this was not a budget for growth.

I've been pushing the Government to do more to support autistic people into work – for others or for themselves – leading a debate in Parliament recently. parliamentnews.co.uk/the-gov...

It's always good to be able to bring up local matters in national debate, and so when I was speaking recently on UNESCO, I took the opportunity to talk about Marple Locks, and the campaign to make it a World Heritage site.

Thank you to the thousands of people who responded to our health survey earlier this year. We've been analysing the results and using it to put the right questions to ministers – including Wes Streeting, who I asked about GP access in more deprived, urban areas.

At 8am, I was interviewed by BBC Radio Manchester on what should be in the budget. I was waiting for the Chancellor to announce whether any of the measures were included, but it seems that maybe I didn't need to wait quite that long …

Being able to mark the excellent work that organisations like Stockport Hydro is one of my favourite things, although I prefer not to have challenge the Minister over it because the Environment Agency have been struggling to get their side of the work done.

Starting Point in Woodley do an excellent job of helping people get online, but all too often, lack of equipment is a real block. I think the Government should be doing more to recycle their old IT kit, and put it in the hands of people who need it #IT #LisaSmartMP

With Bonnie, our wonderful rescue dog, I always have a reminder at home of the impact that fireworks can have on pets, and how important it is that we get it right on fireworks legislation.

Thanks to Swim England for calling in to Parliament to highlight the life-saving importance of children learning to swim.

Thanks to Swim England for calling in to Parliament to highlight the life-saving importance of children learning to swim.

I was with my excellent colleague (and new Vice-President) Victoria Collins to hear from Compassion in World Farming ahead of the forthcoming animal welfare strategy.

I have been raising the implications of lack of funding for the Canal and River Trust since becoming an MP, and more recently the issues facing our local canals due to a lack of infrastructure investment. www.theguardian.com/environm...

This week I challenged the chancellor over the impact of potential changes to business rates on local businesses, who are already dealing with National Insurance hikes;

Thanks to CAMRA for coming down to Parliament. We have so many great pubs in our area, and I really support their drive to make sure they continue to thrive at the centre of our communities. #CAMRA #HazelGrove #LisaSmartMP

Thank you to Stockport Sign Post for Carers who invited me to meet them this week and get an overview of the current landscape regarding carers in Stockport and how they are supporting them. A great team doing really important work. #SocialCare #HazelGrove #LisaSmartMP

Financial education is a particular passion of mine, and I was delighted to hear that the national curriculum will be improving this. However, it is critical that schools and teachers get the support to do this, and I challenged the Secretary of State for more details on this.

Ahead of the Remembrance services across the UK and our area over the next few days, I laid a remembrance cross for Hazel Grove at Westminster this week. #WeWillRememberThem

Local businesses, particularly small businesses, are the beating heart of the British economy. I challenged the Chancellor to be honest with small business owners about the cost of potential changes to business rates in the budget. #HazelGrove #LisaSmartMP #BusinessRates

Thanks to everyone who came along to my MP advice surgery on Saturday, and it was good to meet up with the team at Bredbury Library where one of the ward surgeries was taking place, as well as bump into Niki Meerman, who does so much in our community.

Thank you to the Fire Brigades Union Greater Manchester, for their support. I wrote to the Government to challenge them on their funding, clear national standards, and facilities for in-depth investigations. Firefighters need and deserve our support.

“Lisa Smart, who remains very much a fan of PR …” I feel seen.