This week in Parliament has seen two important pieces of legislation continue their journey towards becoming law.

The NHS Funding Bill and the Direct Payments to Farmers Bill each received their second reading and both deliver on undertakings made during the election campaign.

The government is enshrining in law its commitment to a multi-year funding settlement that will see a £33.9 billion per annum increase in the NHS budget by 2023-4.

This represents a 30 per cent increase between 2018 and 2024 and the biggest cash boost in the history of our NHS.

In the next ten years we plan to build 40 new hospitals. Six new hospital schemes will start immediately, while another 21 schemes have so far been given the green light to develop their plans.

Parliament also made progress with the legislation that will replace Common Agricultural Policy arrangements and allow the government to make direct payments to farmers, giving much-needed certainty to our food producers.

In due course, we will not just replace CAP payments but provide a new system of farm support, moving towards an approach that enjoys broad cross-party support.

The new system will pay farmers public money for the ‘public goods’ they produce – such as enhancing air quality, improving access to the countryside, reducing flooding, tackling climate change or improving animal welfare.

Of course, this week also marks our departure from the EU. Many constituents have told me they will be celebrating while others see it as cause for deep regret. I will be attending a close friend’s long planned 50th birthday dinner and also reflecting on the 10 years since I was selected as candidate for Salisbury in 2010.

I am once again signed up to take part in Alabare’s Big Sleep, a popular local fundraiser for one of Salisbury’s most respected charities.

Alabare are branching out into a whole range of sleep-themed fundraisers from pyjama parties to dressing up days, so if you are not already joining in, have a look at their website and see what you can do!