LAST week the Chancellor delivered his Autumn Statement to the Commons which sets out the next steps in the Government’s long-term economic plan.

I warmly welcome the measures in the Autumn Statement that will help hard working people in Dudley and the Black Country — the jobs tax on all young people under 21 abolished, real help for the high street, energy bills down, fuel duty frozen and rail fare increases frozen.

This is all welcome support, but as the Chancellor said the job is not done.

We are only able to help hard working people because we have taken difficult decisions to control spending.

We are building a responsible recovery and our plan is working, but we need to keep going.

For more information on how this Autumn Statement helps you and your family visit www.yourautumn statement.com.

I enjoyed visiting www.petfordtools.

co.uk on Peartree Lane, in Netherton, a business I mentioned at a recent Prime Minister’s Question time and which I last visited in 2010, www.tdrtransport.

com — also on Peartree Lane, and New Bradley Hall Care Home in Kingswinford.

I held a busy constituency advice surgery at Kingswinford Community Centre and also really enjoyed the Dudley South Conservatives Christmas party at Kingswinford Conservative Club.

For #SmallBizSatUK I visited several independent small shops in Dudley South including www.bridesrevisited.

co.uk in Wall Heath where I met with bridal boutique proprietor Natalie Neale to discuss measures in the Autumn Statement to help small businesses such as discounted business rates.

I also visited Aston’s family butchers, Davis’s Family Bakery, Tie the Knot, Mary Stevens Hospice Shop, Compton Hospice Shop and Helping Hands community shop.

I am now well stocked with books and CDs. I also called into Wordsley Community Centre’s Christmas fayre to draw the programme raffle and also hand delivered some more of my Christmas cards to local residents with members and supporters.

Chris Kelly can be contacted via 01384 211 041, office@chriskelly.mp or House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. You can also read the latest news and views at www.chriskelly.mp