Called the Burnley Steering Group, its an informal but senior group from the relevant local authorities and others that exists to drive forward progress on some of our important regeneration projects. It had been instrumental in getting the right people in the room to ensure our plans for a new Burnley College and University on the Princess Way site turned into reality; now it is turning its attention to other issues crucial for our future prosperity such as a fast rail link to Manchester and the development of the Weavers' Triangle. Neither projects are guaranteed, but I am clear they won't have a hope at all unless the various local authorities and partners act together and this group provides a useful forum for ensuring the necessary leadership takes place.

Our breakfast meeting was held in the new Holiday Inn Express hotel that has recently opened in Pendle Way, off the Gannow top roundabout. This is a good facility, aimed at the business market, and proof, if any were needed, that Burnley is a place where commercial companies seek to invest. I can also recommend the food – there was a huge surfeit of bacon butties for the meeting and I happily munched my way through the morning!

Suitably fortified, I headed off to Burnley town centre for what is fast becoming a regular slot for my surgery in the charity arch next to Woolworths. I like that location as it gives an opportunity in between appointments to chat to shoppers and other passers-by who wouldn't necessarily make an appointment to see their MP. This week we had a good turnout, despite the cold weather, and we've been spending the week working on all the cases we took up, as well as for those people who have contacted us by post, e-mail or turned up at the office.

In the afternoon I wandered over to the town hall for a catch-up meeting with the council chief executive, and held a number of meetings with my team and others in my office. The weekend was delightfully quiet; a chance to spend that all-too precious time with my young family before the demands of Westminster life took over again on Monday.

Back down in London, I've been spending my time working on our policy for reforming the way housing benefit works. It seems odd to me that the system we currently have appears to pay out huge sums of taxpayers' money in some high-rent areas for houses that normal working people who do not quality for housing benefit couldn't possibly afford. This is something that urgently needs looking into, and we are investigating ways to make it fairer in a way that doesn't jeopardise people's ultimate right to have a roof over their heads. I'd be interested in views my constituents may have on this matter.

At Prime Minister's questions on Wednesday, the sharpest exchanges were on the economy. Gordon Brown made it absolutely clear he had taken drastic measures to inject more cash into the banking system and now it was the turn of the banks themselves to start lending to small businesses again. He said he would do whatever it takes to make that happen and is meeting the banks again to discuss it. I know this is an issue of deep concern to many of my constituents – particularly those employed by small businesses and those trying to get a decent mortgage – so I'll use this column to let people know what is happening nationally to get credit moving through the system again.

Finally a reminder to budding artists out there – don't forget to enter our Christmas card competition for a chance to have your design printed up and sent around the town and to the Prime Minister!