As I write this month’s column, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is on TV in the background - I know Tamworth is united behind all our athletes in Team GB. It has been a great start to the week with the first medals coming through, including for Staffordshire’s own Adam Peaty with more to come!

Staffordshire County Council, Lichfield District Council and Tamworth Borough Council came together with other local authorities across Staffordshire to offer local grants and loans for businesses affected by the pandemic.

With a year to go until the Commonwealth Games comes to the Midlands, the Department for International Trade wants businesses to explore their options for trading with our Commonwealth partners.

Calling all small businesses, applications are now open to be featured in the forthcoming 'Small Business Saturday' campaign. In the run up to Small Business Saturday in December...100 British firms will be featured on the socials and in the national press.

Last Friday, Christopher Pincher MP secured a visit to Drayton Bassett from the HS2 Minister, Andrew Stephenson MP. Mr Pincher brought the Minister to a local farm to see the physical route of the line and how it affects the local farming community.

Budget delivers on commitment to provide security and stability to the British people through the pandemic – providing over £407 billion of support for families, jobs and businesses over this year and next.

Domestic abuse victims and their children living in Tamworth will be able to receive more support thanks to extra Government funding. 

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone has been declared across the whole of England to help mitigate the risk of the disease spreading. 

Staffordshire will soon be moving from 'Medium' to the 'High' in the Covid19 alert levels system. Dates will be confirmed shortly but it is expected that by next week, our status will have changed.