While there’s been little in the way of positive developments at Westminster in recent times, the new Carer’s Leave Act is most definitely something to be welcomed.

Having progressed through Parliament as a Private Member's Bill last year, the Act came into force on April 6, giving employees who provide care to a family member, friend or relative the right to up to five days of unpaid leave from work to fulfil their caring responsibilities.

I was a keen supporter of the Bill, as I know it will help many carers cope with the challenges of balancing employment with their caring role and, hopefully, significantly reduce the estimated 600 carers per day who feel driven to give up work due to a lack of support and flexibility in their workplace.

Because of the way the UK Parliamentary system works, Private Members' Bills generally don’t get over the first hurdle but, occasionally, there’s a proposal which a majority, including even the government, can get behind and push through all the legislative stages. I commend all those who worked hard to make leave for carers a reality.

Unfortunately, as I write, it looks as if the controversial Rwanda Bill may also pass through Westminster, with Tory MPs having rejected all the amendments put forward by the Lords.

Shamefully, this even includes clauses to exempt victims of modern slavery from the scheme, along with those who served with British forces in Afghanistan or other conflicts.

Even if passed, the Bill is unlikely to reduce the number of small boats crossing the Channel, unless the UK Government finally responds to SNP calls and sets up safe and legal routes to seek asylum in the UK.

Considering the policy’s ineffectiveness and £500 million price tag, this Bill is all about Rishi Sunak saving face and shoring up his right-wing support for the General Election.

Locally, I was delighted to visit the Nationwide branch in the Bridgegate in Irvine, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in December.

With so many banks disappearing from our high streets, those which remain have become even more important, and I am pleased Nationwide have extended their commitment to close no branches where they are the ‘last bank in town’ until at least 2026.

It was lovely to chat with staff members, including one lady who has been with the Nationwide for more than 40 years, and hear about developments in their service provision and how they are supporting customers during the cost-of-living crisis.

I was also delighted to return to the National Air Traffic Services base at Prestwick to hear more about the role they are playing in the decarbonisation of aviation and how they are contributing to plans for airspace modernisation.

They are also looking ahead to the next era of airspace coordination, with future Scottish space launches to deploy satellites and new airspace users such as drones being increasingly utilised by services such as healthcare, defence, search and rescue as well as connecting remote communities.

In contrast, it was extremely disappointing to hear that US firm, Mangata, have cancelled their plans to build a satellite manufacturing and R&D facility at the Prestwick Aerospace Park, citing significant increases in material costs and supply chain issues.

The facility had been predicted to bring almost 600 new jobs to the area, so it is undoubtedly a significant blow. However, with Glasgow producing more satellites than anywhere else in Europe, Prestwick still has great potential to develop into a true aerospace cluster in the future.