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.

The government let them down with their exams fiasco. Their incompetence caused anxiety and stress, and the eventual U-turn has demonstrated this could have been avoided.

As a parent and grandparent I understand there might still be concerns about our kids going back, but school staff have worked hard on Covid measures.

It is vital plans are also put in place to make up for any schooling students missed, and I would encourage all our young people to stay focused on their aspirations.

And, staying focused on the things that matter is what our latest campaign targeted at parents, and young people, is about.

Sadly, serious youth violence has been growing in London. Our borough has been no exception. Young lives have been lost, families turned upside down, and young people are getting caught up in gangs.

Our Lost Hours campaign is hard-hitting. There’s no other way to do this.

Violence on our streets has to stop. I know it isn’t easy. We can’t be there 24/7 – but the numbers tell the story. More violent crime involving young people happens after school and before parents get home from work – these Lost Hours are where all parents and guardians must do whatever we can to be sure we know what our kids are up to. Just one phone call, to check-in on our kids after school could make all the difference.