The highest rates of Covid-19 in England are now among those aged 20-24, while those from younger age groups have the lowest vaccination rates putting them at greater risk of serious illness. It?s a stark fact that 50% of 18-29s in Nottingham are unvaccinated.

The NHS has put out a powerful video to remind young people that they can still get seriously ill with Covid and risk potentially lifelong health problems. The video encourages them to get both jabs of the vaccine to reduce the risk of contracting or becoming seriously from Covid.

Please watch this whenever you get a moment, and share it with friends, family and anyone who it might benefit:? https://vimeo.com/588381188/cbccb9392e

Anyone aged 16 and 17 in the city can now come forward and get their vaccination. Two sites in the city, The Forest Recreation Ground and QMC, are welcoming walk-ins without an appointment, with both sites offering the Pfizer vaccine. Anyone over 18 can walk into any vaccination centre. The full list of centres and opening times can be found here: https://nottsccg.nhs.uk/covid-19/covid-19-vaccinations/where-to-go-for-your-covid-19-vaccination-appointment/

From October, the Government intends to scrap the ?20 weekly uplift in Universal Credit that has been a lifeline for many Nottingham families during the pandemic, enabling them to keep their heads above water for heating, water, rent and food. There?s no question that by removing it, the Government will be placing people into serious hardship, particularly as we enter the winter months when energy bills increase. In January this year Nottingham councillors supported a motion calling on the Government to keep the uplift and I wrote a letter to the Chancellor warning what impact taking this ?20 a week uplift with have on people in Nottingham.

We have already seen an upsurge in the use of food banks during the pandemic so it is clear that people are seriously struggling, including those on low incomes and people claiming benefit for the first time due to the impact of Covid ? with 7,500 extra claimants in the city over the past year and over 28,000 Nottingham households now on Universal Credit.

This is an issue which affects many thousands of the poorest children across Nottingham and affects many low paid working people who are struggling to make ends meet already. Taking away this extra payment will undoubtedly mean more families will make the choice between heating and eating ? a choice nobody should have to make in 21^st century Britain. It will also push more people into a spiral of serious poverty and debt, which is not only personally tragic, but is bad for the economic recovery we need. Government seriously needs to rethink its position and lock in the uplift permanently.

Our Welfare Rights team are on hand to help with money problems. They have helped thousands of people with their debts, bills, housing issues, and to get the benefits they are entitled to. Give them a call weekdays 8.30am?4.50pm?on 0115 915 1355 or contact them at [email protected]

There is a currently a national shortage of large goods vehicle (LGV) drivers and this is affecting organisations, including Nottingham City Council, that rely on specialist drivers with the relevant licences.?This along with staff shortages related to Covid-19 is having a particular effect on bin collections. While we are working hard to minimise disruption, we know some services will be disrupted. Our priority is collecting general household waste and recycling and while our crews will do their best to collect garden waste, if it is missed please be understanding and they will try to collect it on the next scheduled collection.

It should be sunny and dry over the bank holiday weekend, making it the perfect time to get out and about. Why not try the Look Up Adventure trail around the city centre? It's free and a lot of fun - and you just might learn something new about our beautiful city - more here.

Or there are still tickets available for Luna Cinema at Wollaton Hall this weekend. Tonight it?s Dirty Dancing, Saturday sees The Greatest Showman sing-along, while Sunday will take you to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars - A New Hope. More here.

Alternatively, you can simply head to one of our many beautiful parks to enjoy the open air and open space they provide. Unfortunately, with better weather we can tend to see an increase in mess left behind, so we?d ask everyone to take rubbish away with them if bins are full. Let us know on our easy online form if you see a bin that needs emptying or something else that needs dealing with ? www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/reportit

You can find further ideas and inspiration for what to do this bank holiday here.

I am sad to say that after much consideration, my colleagues Chantal Lee and Lauren O?Grady have taken the decision to stand down as councillors for their respective wards. I would like to thank them for their hard work over the last two years and everything they have done for the people of Nottingham.

Chantal has led the work to make Nottingham a ?Child Friendly City?, writing?Nottingham?s first Breastfeeding Charter and promoting the needs of children across all of our services as well as being available residents of St Ann?s at surgeries, through email and by phone, helping hundreds of individual problems raised with her. Lauren likewise has been involved in the finalising of the new Sherwood library on Mansfield Road and has also been involved in other ward activity such as regularly taking part at litter picks, joining in with community events at Woodthorpe Park, and was leading recently on improvements to the Carrington underpass.

There will now be by-elections in the autumn in St Ann?s and Sherwood wards. This is a good reminder that elections can happen at any time, so it is important you make sure you are on the electoral register. If you are not on the register then you can do so easily and quickly by clicking here. If you are registered to vote then you can make voting easier for yourself by applying for a postal vote.