I recently took part in my first Budget debate as Chelmsford’s MP.

Budget day starts early and members of parliament were already queueing outside the chamber when I arrived at 7.35 am. Everyone wants a good seat and there aren’t enough to go around.

Over the past few months I’ve met many different organisations in Chelmsford and asked them what they would like to see in the Budget. Many local residents have also written to me and thank you all for your input. I took many of the suggestions direct to the Chancellor.

Local businesses asked for support with business rates and to sort out the so called “staircase tax”. These are in the Budget. It has also frozen beer duty which many local pubs had asked for.

Plans to remove Stamp Duty for first-time buyers will have a real impact locally. It is estimated that this saving is worth £3,706 for the average first-time buyer in Chelmsford.

The Budget also introduced a £600 premium to be paid to schools for each additional student studying maths A-level. We have excellent secondary schools on Chelmsford but funding for A-levels was a particular concern and I hope this will help.

I think this is particularly helpful for girls - evidence shows that where women have studied maths and one of the science to A-level they earn on average 30 percent more than their peers.

The Budget also announced additional funding for science and research. We are now investing more than any other government for the past 40 years. There is amazing work going on with medical research in the UK, especially finding new personalised treatments for rare diseases, cancer and genetic conditions.

There is to be additional funding for NHS including nurses pay and infrastructure improvements. Mid and South Essex hospitals will be one of the first places in the country to benefit from this.

I was very pleased to see the improvements announced to Universal Credit. Going forward the Government will be making it easier for claimants living in the private rented sector to make sure the housing element of their award can continue to be paid directly to their landlord.

This was raised with me by local housing officers and by local charities. Universal Credit is not due to be rolled out in Chelmsford until December 2018, so the Government has plenty of time to address any problems.