IT can sometimes feel as though Brexit is the only issue under discussion. But, in fact, February is a busy time in Parliament and there have been a host of announcements going on, unnoticed by many, drowned out by the continuing Brexit uncertainty.

In the past week alone, the latest labour market statistics show employment is at a record high, the unemployment rate is at a joint 43-year low and wages have outstripped inflation for the eleventh month in a row.

Michael Gove reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to high farming standards and food quality - something that I know is of great concern to a lot of constituents.

The government announced its intention to overhaul this country’s recycling and waste system, part of the overarching commitment to leave the environment in a better state than we found it.

Plans were set out to provide better mental health and wellbeing support to NHS staff, free educational apps are being made available to children at risk of starting school behind their peers and a new fund was launched to combat gang culture and knife crime.

In addition, I have certainly had another busy week shepherding though Statutory Instruments to ensure continuity in financial services and advancing a bill through committee.

Nevertheless, it is always good to get back to the sanity of Salisbury! As well as attending Sunday’s annual charter service, on Saturday night I very much look forward to the concert in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Foundation for Social Change and Inclusion at St Paul’s Church.

FSCI is a Salisbury charity which grew out of The Trussell Trust but operates independently, changing the lives of vulnerable people in Bulgaria and the Balkans.

Many readers will have lovingly packed a Christmas shoebox for them or contributed little toys and toiletries to your children’s schools to be turned into Christmas treats for people who would otherwise receive nothing. But the work of the charity is far broader – including family support, giving accommodation and skills to vulnerable young adults and providing employment through social enterprise.

By offering a pathway to self-sufficiency and self-esteem, the work of FSCI aims to prevent modern slavery, sexual exploitation and human trafficking by increasing the resilience of individuals and communities at risk – surely an achievement worthy of celebration.