We?ve just had the first weekend since 10pm curfews were imposed on pubs and bars, and it appears there was widespread compliance in Nottingham although some challenges with this new rule. I?d like to thank those who are heeding Government guidance and urge everyone to do the right thing ? it does change how we live our lives but it?s a small price to pay when tens of thousands of people have already died and many others continue to suffer from this dreadful disease. Large numbers of people have downloaded the NHS test and trace app and if you haven?t already, I would urge you to do so.

From today people across England will be legally required to self-isolate if they test positive for coronavirus or are contacted by test-and-trace services. Those who fail to do so will face fines of up to ?10,000. The Government is also introducing a new system of payments of ?500 for people on lower incomes who are unable to work because of the mandatory 14-day self-isolation period. The aim is that anyone self-isolating from today will receive back-dated payments.

Many children in Nottingham were looking forward to returning to school earlier this month, but for some children, returning to school is an anxious time, even without the extra concerns that coronavirus brings.

The City Council?s Targeted CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service), newly-created Mental Health Support Team (MHST) and the Educational Psychology Service teamed up to create the ?You?ve Been Missed? campaign to help alleviate anxieties children and parents have about going back to school. It has proved very successful and I am so pleased it has been extended until the end of October half-term. It?s vital to ensure young people are getting the help that they need to do the best they can and parents have a support system in place not just for their children but also for themselves during what is still an uncertain time.

?You?ve been Missed? includes weekly podcasts on YouTube, which explain reasons why children might be feeling the way they do and how to overcome it, as well as events around the city and a hotline for advice and support if you are worried about your child?s mental wellbeing, on 0115 876 4700. There is also more information here

This pandemic has brought many added stresses to people up and down country. For many people worrying about job security and finding employment have become new pressures to bear ? not to mention the many millions of people who were already out of work or in insecure employment.

To help local people find employment, Nottingham Jobs is launching a new campaign to help with job searches, applications and interviews. The Nottingham Jobs Two Week Challenge is a series of bite-size video and daily email updates which will provide job hunters with tips and advice to boost their confidence and give them the best possible start when searching and applying for jobs. If you or someone you know is looking for support to find employment, visit www.nottinghamjobs.com/twoweekchallenge to sign up to the two week challenge.

There is just a week for the annual canvass to be completed, to establish who is resident at the address to ensure that all eligible electors are registered to vote. You should have received an email or text or a paper form through the post. If it asks you to respond and you haven?t already, please do so urgently, preferably online here to meet the deadline of Monday 5 October.