This week Conservative MP for Beaconsfield, Dominic Grieve, writes to Bucks Free Press readers:

A recent back-bench debate in the House of Commons demonstrated the extent to which the faith communities make a contribution to the voluntary sectors across the length and breadth of Britain.

It is not surprising that members of many faiths are involved in helping others because it is part of so many religious teachings. But in numerical terms there were some surprising statistics which accompanied the debate.

The organisation New Philanthropy Capital estimates that 27 per cent of charities in Great Britain are faith-based.

Of the various different donor types, faith-based donors make the highest average donations and they provide the largest proportion of donations.

There are estimated to be 49,881 charities which are faith-based. Of these 64.5 per cent are Christian, 23.2 generally faith-based, 4.8 per cent Muslim and 4.6 per cent Jewish. Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist charities are also represented, of course.

Another report, from the Centre for Social Justice in 2013, said that volunteers from churches have spent 98 million hours working on local social action initiatives.

Often faith communities can provide a structure for other people to get involved and support projects in their local area, so that these efforts are inclusive of the neighbourhood as a whole.

They give a focal point for initiatives which otherwise might not get off the ground, or they can provide a central place where charitable donations can be collected.

For instance, many faith groups will pack shoe-boxes of essential items to go to communities overseas, or organise regular collection points for people to donate foodstuffs to be distributed at foodbanks in this country.

I am very much aware from contact with faith groups in the constituency that our area reflects this level of activity. It is one of the great privileges for me of being the local MP.