Darren Rodwell, Council Leader

I want to take this opportunity to say how proud I am of all the hard work put in everyone who got their exam results this summer, and a special thank you to teaching staff.

It is impossible to know the long-term impact of coronavirus on our high streets and on other parts of the economy.

I often say that in Barking and Dagenham we are one borough, one community – but that is only true when we stand together in solidarity with those facing discrimination.

Since being elected by less than 1pc of the population, the prime minister, Boris Johnson, has wasted little time in making announcement after announcement about new spending commitments, or so they seem.

With schools out for summer, there’s loads on offer for young people and families here in Barking and Dagenham. There are events and activities across the borough – there truly is something for everyone.

This week has been one of the toughest our community has faced.

The loss of young lives to knife crime and other violent crimes must stop.

As Britain baked in the summer heatwave, we’ve had a glimpse of some of the problems we’re going to have to address if weather like this becomes more common in the future.