As the Easter recess continues, I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet and spend some time with The Trussell Trust’s recently appointed Chief Executive, Emma Revie.

It was great to discuss her initial impressions of the charity's national network of food banks and the wide range of life challenges their clients face.

I look forward to working with Emma as she settles into her role and develops a constructive dialogue with government.

I also caught up with Carole Slater from The Parkinson’s Society, a marvellous charity which celebrated 40 years in Salisbury this week.

During recess, there may be no debates in the Chamber but the business of government continues unabated. I headed back to up London for a day to take a raft of meetings and to catch up on my ministerial work.

The past week has been a typically busy one for my colleagues in the Treasury, with a series of important announcements coming out, including official confirmation of the wide range of steps the government is taking to support families and businesses, as we move into the new tax year.

Just a few of the many steps being taken are:

A further increase in the tax-free Personal Allowance from £11,500 to £11,850, meaning that a typical basic rate taxpayer will pay £1,075 less in income tax in 2018-19 than in 2009-10.

Giving over 2 million workers a pay rise by increasing the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage, meaning that full-time workers will earn £2,000 more per year than they did when we introduced the NLW in 2016.

Increasing the full basic State Pension by 3 per cent to £125.95 per week.

Freezing fuel duty for the eighth successive year, taking the annual saving for a typical car driver to £850, compared to Labour’s plans.

Cutting stamp duty for 95 per cent of first time buyers, to help people realise the dream of home ownership.

On the important subject of housing, I am delighted that Salisbury Civic Society is tackling this challenge in its meeting tonight and I look forward to hearing their perspectives on some of the bold and creative solutions that have been deployed elsewhere.