This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, and I want to begin this week's column by reflecting on this. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to place a cross of remembrance in the Remembrance Garden in Parliament on behalf of the citizens of Warwick, Leamington, Whitnash and the villages.

Every constituency across the UK is represented in the garden. It is an important and poignant reminder of the thousands who made the ultimate sacrifice in our service to our country and didn't return home to cities, towns and villages like our own. Men and women who left their homes from across our nation came together in successive conflicts to fight for the freedoms we know today and who never returned home.

This weekend is a chance to remember them and honour their sacrifice. I will be joining many across our towns and villages to pay tribute to those who have given their lives in service to our country, those who served and those serving today. We will remember them.

Earlier this week marked 19 years since the terrible fire in Atherstone, which saw four Warwickshire firefighters lose their lives. Many others were involved and saw unimaginable scenes that awful day. The bravery shown by our firefighters that day, and in many instances since, is incredible and a reminder of the brave individuals who walk towards danger every day to keep us safe.

Looking to Parliament, last week was understandably dominated by the Budget, and I welcome the important cost-of-living measures in it. I want to highlight a smaller debate which took place earlier last week.

I had the opportunity to speak briefly in the debate on prostate cancer screening, which was attended by many fellow MPs who wanted to speak on this important topic.

In my speech, I made the call for wider and more expansive targeted screening. In particular the concern that those living in more deprived areas are once again disadvantaged with limited access to testing. Likewise, that Black men are twice as likely to contract the cancer and that those with the BRCA gene in their family are especially susceptible.

I paid tribute to Graham Fulford and the crucial work he and his trust do to promote awareness and improve testing across the UK. Since 2004, they have delivered over 470,000 tests and found 4,000 cancers and estimate they have added over 32,000 years of life collectively. I also want to thank the South Warwickshire Prostate Cancer Support Group who I met with recently for a really useful discussion about their work, and the important campaigning they are doing to support those living with prostate cancer locally.

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I also spoke of Nigel Higgins. Nigel was someone many of us locally knew and had much respect for. He lost his battle with prostate cancer last year and when we spoke after he was diagnosed, I promised I would campaign in his memory. Too many like him have lost their lives to this cancer. If you would like to read my short speech, please do drop me an email.

Finally, I hope all celebrating Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas this weekend have a joyous day.

As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any issues or concerns you would like to raise with me. I can be reached at [email protected] or on 01926 882006.