As Universities go back is the UK Government "encouraging a public health crisis?"

MANY headlines and news reports, both online and on TV, are asking questions as students prepare to return back to Universities and Colleges. Advice has been given to Higher and Further education establishments by the UK Government and by organisations like the registered charity Universities UK. But many point out that the lack of Government preparedness means that nation is now:- "sleepwalking into a Coronavirus disaster." Others are highlighting that no matter what advice is given, it is down to the young people in the areas affected to act responsibly, to avert a looming disaster.

This issue has been prominent again within national media this weekend. Public Health England's list of areas of concern has shown up new areas like Leeds, which was added to it, and these areas are now on the brink of putting in place new local lockdowns / enhanced restrictions to be used within them. But the warnings we are told have reportedly been ignored by:- "crowds of alcohol fuelled revellers flouting Coronavirus restrictions" despite the warnings. The national press has also been inflamed with pictures showing revellers in areas like Leeds, allegedly breaking social distancing rules and gathering in large groups without face masks to hit the bars and pubs.

These reports have heightened the worries for local communities in and around Universities and Colleges, as they fear that students will add to the already large numbers of young people, who are congregating within those areas, and could spark a 2nd wave of the Coronavirus. Especially as enforcing restrictions is already proving very hard for Police and Councils, as seen in the incident on a Merseyrail Train, on 2 September 2020.

As millions of young people being encouraged to travel all around the UK, and are moving into halls of residence, along with other accommodation in the areas around the Universities, it is feared that this could lead to a dramatic increase in outbreaks of Covid19. The University and College Union (UCU), which represents over 120,000 academics, Lecturers, and University workers, accused the Government of:- "encouraging a public health crisis." Adding that British Universities could easily become the care homes of the Pandemic, a view backed by other Unions and many leading Public Health experts.

But these warnings come on the back of findings from a survey conducted by Quacquarelli Symonds, who found British Universities face potential losses running into billions of pounds if international students stay away. On top of that, they are also looking at a potential ₤760m loss of income as 1 in 5 of all students have said they would not enrol in the 2020/2021 academic year if classes were delivered online and other activities curtailed.

What are your thoughts on this? Are you a student going to University or do you work in a University? Are you in the Police or a pub worker? Please let us know your thoughts via emailing us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

THE countdown has officially started for Creamfields 2021 and to mark the occasion the electronic festival giants have announced more acts to the ever growing line up including:- Nina Kraviz, Afrojack, Jamie Jones, Alan Fitzpatrick, Solardo, Paul van Dyk, Josh Wink, Richy Ahmed, Aly and Fila, Matrix and Futurebound feat. Rhymester, TNT aka Technoboy n Tuneboy, Sub Zero Project, Headhunterz, Sound Rush, DJ Isaac, Adaro, Sefa and Andy Whitby.

This latest onslaught join the likes of:- Above and Beyond, Adam Beyer, Andy C, ANNA, Bassjackers, Ben Nicky, Boris Brejcha, Brennan Heart, Carl Cox, Chase and Status (DJ Set), Chris Lorenzo, Claptone, Cosmic Gate, Cristoph, Darren Styles, deadmau5, Dimension, Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike, Disciples, Eli Brown, Enrico Sangiuliano, Eric Prydz HOLOSPHERE, Example, Fisher, Franky Wah, Friction, Gareth Emery, Gorgon City, Hannah Wants, Holy Goof, Hot Since 82, Hybrid Minds, James Organ, Jax Jones, Jonas Blue, KC Lights, Kölsch, Kutski, La Fleur, Laidback Luke, Leftwing:Kody, Low Steppa, Martin Garrix, Mason Collective, Michael Bibi, MK, My Nu Leng, Nightlapse, Notion, Offaiah, Oliver Heldens, Paul Woolford, Peggy Gou, Pendulum; TRINITY, Pete Tong, SASASAS, Scooter, Sigma, SOSA, Sub Focus (DJ Set), Sven Väth, Tchami, Tiësto, Timmy Trumpet, Vini Vici, W&W and Yousef.

As 1 of the biggest festivals of the summer season, this year's edition was sorely missed, however, celebrated virtually for the #CreamfieldsHouseParty which featured some of the best performances from the festival over the last few years, attracting millions of viewers from around the world.

With many more acts still to be announced over the coming months, Creamfields will be one festival not to be missed next year! #BringItOn21

Creamfields returns to Daresbury, Cheshire, UK 26 august to 29 August 2021, Bank Holiday weekend. Tickets on general sale now, fans can secure their tickets at 2020 prices on the all new 10 part deposit scheme for ₤20.

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner is inviting community groups to submit 'imaginative' bids for projects which will divert young people away from crime and anti social behaviour during the autumn ½ Term, essential work in spite of the challenges posed by Covid19. Jane Kennedy has announced that she is releasing a new round of funding from the Police Property Act Fund (PPA), which allows money raised from the sale of unclaimed stolen goods or property recovered by the Police to be used for good causes. It is the 11 time the Commissioner has invited community organisations, charities and groups to apply for grants of up to ₤5,000 for grassroots initiatives which are working to help young people to make the right choices.

In 2020 the Commissioner is encouraging community groups to be even more creative in their bids into the ₤45,000 fund given the challenges posed by the Coronavirus outbreak and the current restrictions on large gatherings. Jane said:- "I am delighted to once again open up the Police Property Act Fund for bids of up to ₤5,000 to organisations which are engaging with local young people during the busy autumn ½ Term, with the aim of making their communities safer. Local people know their communities best. They know what works when engaging with young people. Running diversionary projects and activities is going be harder than normal this year given the current challenges imposed by the Covid19 crisis, but I know how creative community groups across Merseyside can be and they will not be deterred. I would encourage everyone applying to be as imaginative and ingenious as possible about how we can involve young people in safe, well run, organised activities during Halloween and Bonfire Night despite the current restrictions."

Jane has awarded more than ₤420,000 through the PPA to organisations that are making a difference in their communities over the last 8 years. Since July 2015, she has used the fund to specifically focus on youth engagement initiatives.  Back in 2019, this small pot of funding was shared between 24 community groups and used to deliver safe, organised activities for approximately 11,000 young people over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period. Jane said:- "Halloween and Bonfire Night are a time of great fun and excitement for many people across Merseyside, but sometimes it can go too far and sadly some communities still experience a rise in criminal and anti social behaviour. This usually makes it a particularly busy time for the Police and the fire service. Through these grants, I want to help alleviate these issues and prevent local young people from making mistakes they may later regret. Once a young person gets a criminal record it can blight their future prospects. By using these grants to fund a wide range of well-organised community activities, I hope we can help to prevent young people from getting drawn into any activities which could become intimidating, anti-social or even dangerous to other members of the community. These projects will support the excellent diversionary work carried out by Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, ensuring that young people can enjoy the autumn festivities in a safe and enjoyable way which is properly supervised."

The PPA fund is administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, (CFM) on behalf of the Commissioner. CFM holds funds from individuals and organisations as donors who wish to support deserving causes in Merseyside. All applications must be submitted online via the Community Foundation for Merseyside, by 5pm, on Monday, 28 September 2020. Please visit the Community Foundation for Merseyside website to apply.