A UNITED Nations study into happiness has measured a decline in global happiness, but UK has become happier and moved up from 19th to 15th place in 2018.

We are ranked Number 1 in the world for ‘Soft Power’ – that’s our culture, language, international engagement – remember the Oscars?

So while the media focuses on Brexit, there are plenty of things to be proud of that aren’t getting the coverage they deserve.

We’ve seen a really positive set of economic forecasts from the Chancellor in his Spring Statement.

When I was first elected in West Worcestershire, the budget deficit was over 10 per cent – it is now in primary surplus – down to 1.1 per cent this year.

Borrowing is at its lowest for 17 years. We’ve cut taxes by letting people have the first £12,500 tax free and higher rate doesn’t start until £50,000.

Since 2010, 3.6 million more people are working, taking the total to 32.71 million or a record high of 76.1 per cent employed.

And the number of people in zero hours work contracts is falling only 1.4 are working less than six hours, and 54 per cent are working 31-45 hours a week. Youth unemployment has fallen 439,000. It pays to work, with the National Living Wage at £8.21 and more tax free.

The National Living Wage has risen by eight per cent more than inflation and there are 854,000 job vacancies.

NHS is getting record funding – £394 million a week more. There are 17,300 more doctors and 15,400 more nurses. Breast cancer deaths have fallen 18 per cent, faster than anywhere in Europe.

And across the country we are seeing school adding more places and getting better results – in Worcestershire nine out of ten schools are rated good or outstanding and fairer funding for county schools is seeing budgets rise by 3.5per cent to 5.5 per cent this year.

There is so much more to be proud of – record investment in roads and rail, important work to protect our environment – but I’m afraid while Brexit continues to dominate the headlines, the good news is struggling to be heard.