This week I have been in Manchester for the Conservative Party Conference, writes Craig Williams MP.

The message from the Prime Minister and others is clear – the Government will be committed to building back better from the pandemic and investing in the things that matter most to people, securing jobs, investing in health and education, and tackling climate change.

Above all, the focus remains on levelling-up all parts of the UK, both economically and socially, which the Prime Minister described in his speech as “the greatest project that any government can embark on.”

We must also begin taking steps to paying back our huge debts which have been accumulated during the pandemic. No peacetime government has ever spent as much on protecting its citizens, and it is clear that measures must be taken to bring state finances into order.

Many will have been following the recent reshuffle, in which the Prime Minister has built his core team to focus on the immense challenges ahead.

In the reshuffle I was made Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. A PPS acts as a link between backbench MPs and the Minister they work with, ensuring they are kept up to date about things that concern ordinary MPs and their constituents.

I am honoured to have been appointed to this position and look forward to working closely with the Chancellor as the country moves forward from the pandemic.

I would also like to pay tribute to Mr Jack Ellis of Berriew, who sadly passed away this week at the age of 99.

Mr Ellis was the last remaining World War 2 veteran from the Welshpool area, having served in the war initially as part of the Berriew Home Guard, before being called up to serve with the Royal Welch Fusilier battalion. Mr Ellis was also a stalwart of the Royal British Legion, becoming Wales’ Standard Bearer, a role in which he carried out many national duties. He was awarded an MBE for his services to the RBL and to the Crossfield House home for veterans.

Mr Ellis was a fixture at Welshpool’s Remembrance Services, and was one of Montgomeryshire’s true heroes who was extremely highly thought of within the local area. He will be sadly missed.

Finally, I would like to celebrate the wonderful achievements of all the runners from Montgomeryshire who took part in the London Marathon last weekend, raising thousands of pounds for charity. Special mention must go to Andy Davies of Newtown, who finished an incredible 10th overall!