It has been a busy week in the Royal Town with the Vesey by-election as well as the West Midlands Mayoral campaign and Police and Crime Commissioner election.

Earlier today I met Tina Swani, Chief Executive of the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust to discuss the ways in which the Trust has been helping our local community and their plans for the coming months.

I know that many of us have missed the Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer over the past year and so I am delighted to confirm that the Royal Sutton Coldfield Chronicle is due to launch next week and it will be delivered to 24,000 homes.

It is great to see shops and businesses open again in our town centre following the easing of the restrictions on Monday. I am supporting the campaign to shop locally wherever possible to help our local shops and high streets.

Across our Royal Town there will be sadness and reflection at the news today of the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

I would like to wish all my constituents a Happy Easter and a restful Bank Holiday weekend.

On Monday I spoke to the Sutton Sisters group about international development and aid to Yemen in particular. On Tuesday I joined a University of Birmingham debate looking at the recent merger of FCO and DFID and the challenges for an integrated foreign and development policy.

Yesterday I visited Arthur Terry school to discuss Covid 19 testing in educational settings and the measures that have been put in place to protect pupils and staff. I have uploaded a short video on my YouTube channel. Thank you to Mr Gannon and the team for having me along.

I have received an update from Dr Rahul Dubb in relation to the Town Hall vaccine programme. Well over 90% of groups 1-5 on their lists have been vaccinated with 75% in group 5 and 81% in group 7. The team aims to complete care home second doses next week and vaccinate any additional residents or staff who have not yet had their first dose.