As we approach Christmas, I would like to wish everyone a restful festive season and a wonderful New Year.

It has been almost one year since my election last December, and I would like to thank all Hounslow Chronicle readers who have written to me on so many issues from aviation to education, access to buses, crime and international development.

A big issue on the national agenda this week is the Autumn Statement. On Wednesday the Chancellor will make his Autumn statement, updating us on the Government’s plans for the economy and latest economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility. The debate is set to be of great interest to businesses and families alike, as the nation once again examines the books. This moment in the Parliamentary calendar has had different names including the Pre-Budget report, and is part of the Chancellor’s duty to twice yearly publish economic forecasts.

At this time of year, family costs and disposable income are important considerations in the home, and no less so in Parliament. Over the year we’ve seen big debates around the economy and along with parliamentary colleagues, I have been concerned about rising unemployment, the rise in Government borrowing, increased personal debt and slow growth. Prices are rising faster than wages, businesses are struggling, and women’s unemployment is at its highest for a generation, with more than one million women out of work. The cost of living is set to rise next year – but there are things we can do to make a difference for squeezed families.

Many constituents have written to me about their concerns in relation to the fuel duty rise. The increase of 3p per litre petrol tax rise proposed by the Government will hit local people hard when it comes into force on 1st January 2013. This was rightly delayed from August this year after pressure from the public and parliamentarians. Last month Labour held an Opposition Day Debate (a debate that the Opposition has put forward in Parliamentary time) calling on the Chancellor to cancel the Government’s new year 3p per litre petrol tax rise. We argued that at a time when the cost of living is rising, our recovery is fragile and the wealthiest in society are due to get an average tax cut of over £107,000 come April, it cannot be right to hit middle and low income families and small businesses with another tax increase.

The price of petrol is now more than £1.36 a litre, a rise of 15p since 2010. I know from all the letters and emails I have received over the last year that local families and businesses in Feltham and Heston would really benefit from a delay at least until April, which particularly in winter months would provide some much-needed financial relief.

Labour has argued that the Treasury could pay for this move by clamping down on identified tax avoidance loopholes. It is right that the Government is tackling tax avoidance by large corporates. In addition, we know there are other areas of  concern. There is a growing problem with some employment agencies forcing workers to become employees of an umbrella company. The agencies then falsely inflate the worker’s travel and food expense claims, reducing tax and national insurance, and pocket avoided tax as profits. HM Revenue and Customs has forecast that these schemes cost the exchequer £650m a year but more recent estimates have put it as high as £1 billion a year. Delaying the fuel duty rise until April 2013 would cost around £350m.

In March, in response to emails from local residents, I wrote to the Chancellor George Osborne and asked him to reduce the strain on motorists and households by reducing VAT temporarily by 2.5% in his upcoming Budget, which would reduce the cost of fuel by around 3p per litre. I will also continue to press for a temporary VAT cut, which will help families at this time and help provide a boost for local businesses. This would certainly also show a vision for the nation where we see everyone treated fairly, and everyone feeling they have a stake in our prosperity.

I would be very interested to hear your reactions to the Autumn Statement – as ever, please do feel free to email me at seema.malhotra.mp@parliament.uk.