I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas. I personally look forward to this special time of year and spending time with my family here in Lancashire.  There are many throughout the constituency and indeed the country who cannot be with their loved ones over the holiday period.  Having served myself in the Armed Forces, I know what it is like to be parted from your loved ones at Christmas and my thoughts are with all Forces personnel who are serving overseas or will not be able to go home over the holiday period.  I would also like to thank our amazing emergency services who keep us safe all year round.  At this special time our thoughts go to all from the NHS, Police, Fire Service and all agencies and volunteers who look after our safety and well-being.  My thoughts and best wishes are with all who are working over Christmas.  

I am extremely proud to be a Lancashire MP, especially looking back on how the County remembered the centenary of the end of the First World War. It was heart-warming to see how local communities came together from all age groups to remember the sacrifice made by so many.  I was particularly pleased to see schools throughout the constituency staging special assemblies and looking into the history of the local community in relation to the Great War.  I have said it many times but, we must never forget the sacrifice a whole generation made so that we may live in peace.

There seems to be worrying increase in scams and doorstep crime in the run-up to Christmas.  If you would like any advice on this issue please visit: www.lancashire.gov.uk/consumer-advice/scams-and-doorstepcrime/  Another issue which concerns me greatly, related to scams and doorstep crime, is the increasing risk of internet scams and phishing.  Government advice states:  do not give out private information (such as bank details or passwords), reply to text messages, download attachments or click on any links in emails if you’re not sure they are genuine.

As always my mailbag and inbox is filled with a great variety of issues both local and national. It is important I know the issues which concern you in order for me to represent you effectively in Westminster and locally.  With this in mind I welcome as many opinions from constituents as possible.  I believe communication is key and that is why I always encourage constituents to get in touch.

If I can be of any assistance to you please ring my Office at the House of Commons on 0207 219 5804 or my Constituency Office on 01995 672976, email me at wallaceb@parliament.uk or write to me at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.