HAVING attended a number of successful events at this year’s Chalke Valley History Festival, it was good to see so many people there from all backgrounds.

The festival is making history accessible to all and, if this year’s range of offerings was anything to go by, it was a significant success, with displays such as the reconstructions of First World War trenches alongside an excellent roster of speakers.

It was back up to Westminster on Monday to work on the preparations for the final Communities and Local Government questions before the summer recess.

There was also a debate on welfare reform.

I reflected on the twin purposes of a strong and compassionate benefits system – to support the most vulnerable but also to help them, if they are able, to escape the trap of long-term dependency and to access the greater rewards that come from employment and training. I do not believe that it is right for society to effectively “write off” some people as having nothing to give.

I think it is both positive and human to allow for the possibility that the vast majority of people in receipt of support do have the potential to build themselves a brighter future, find employment, gain self-esteem and escape the benefits trap.

I am acutely aware of the difference in the experience in Salisbury, with one of the lowest levels of unemployment in the country, and the experience in South Shields, where I am going on Friday, for the last hearing in the ongoing food poverty enquiry.

Before then, I am expecting late nights in the chamber giving Parliamentary Private Secretary support until 10.30pm and an early morning start the next day, chairing a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Global Uncertainties, focusing on Ukraine.

Today, I plan to ask a business question on behalf of the cathedral before heading to South Shields and, mindful of the strong Salisbury connection to the food bank debate, I hope to make it back in time to support the Trussell Trust’s local collection on Saturday morning outside Tesco on Castle Street.