VACCINATION continues apace, with about a third of the population completed, and I’m soon to join them. It’s sometimes been problematic, especially when an appointment required rearranging, but let’s still celebrate progress made.

Similarly, the return to school is to be welcomed for both youngsters and their parents. It’ll be complicated for teaching staff, especially with the hybrid virtual and physical lessons for older pupils. It’s also a long haul back from where they should have been but every teacher will be doing their best to resolve it. It’s time for us all to support them.

In Parliament I took part in the budget debate, which was an opportunity to raise the challenges facing the licensed trade. They’re furloughed but some won’t reopen and for others it’ll be hard going. The budget was a missed opportunity to help them.

Even before coronavirus, times were hard. Consumption of alcohol had moved from pubs and hotels to almost 75 per cent being bought largely from big supermarkets. That’s worsened with lockdown. Now, I accept a pub or hotel isn’t a school or doctors’ surgery, but it’s still part of a community where folk can gather and use the space.

There’s already an issue on our high streets with empty shops. What happens if they’re joined by empty pubs?

There’s also good reason to encourage alcohol consumption in supervised premises where behaviour and amount taken can be monitored and, if needs be, get checked.

Italy has reduced VAT on alcohol in pubs and restaurants – why not here?

It could sustain premises that might otherwise close and still maintain needed coffers for the Chancellor.

Similarly, there’s a proposal to increase alcohol duty on the off-trade like supermarkets and reduce it on sales in pubs and restaurants. It would make a modest difference to the price of a can or bottle of wine. But supermarkets have made a fortune from lockdown alcohol sales. Maybe it’s time to support the local pub and hotel.