Carers deserve
a pay rise too, says MP
MP Bill Esterson has
called on the Chancellor to support carers and put right a long
term injustice as he considers public sector pay rises. The MP
welcomed the recently announced decision that some public sector
workers, such as:- Doctors, Teachers and Police Officers, would
see above inflation pay rises this year, but said carers had
been unfairly left out. He also said that the pay rises
announced must only be a start for those who are benefitting as
10 years of cuts would need more than a 1 off increase to put
right.
The MP said Government funding for Local Authorities should be
increased to cover a pay rise for the staff who he said had:-
"been at the forefront of the Covid crisis." He said it
was wrong to ask for the pay increases that had been granted to
be paid for out of current budgets.
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced pay rises for the armed
forces, as well as:- Teachers, Police Officers, the National
Crime Agency, Prison Officers, Doctors and Dentists, the
Judiciary, Senior Civil Servants and Senior Military personnel.
Teachers and Doctors will see the largest rise at 3.1% and 2.8%
respectively. Responding, Mr Esterson said:- "It is right
to recognise the work of these public sector employees, as many
of them have been working flat out during the coronavirus
pandemic and have often found themselves in high-risk
situations. But where is the pay rise for carers, who have
looked after the thousands of elderly who have been hit by this
deadly virus, and have worked tirelessly to keep others safe.
They have been at the forefront of the Covid crisis. It is
scandalous that carers have been missed yet again. These are
some of the lowest paid workers doing one of the most difficult
jobs. They deserve a rise too. But local authority budgets have
been slashed over the last 10 years which has suppressed wages
in this important sector. The Conservatives need to make good on
their promises to boost local authority funding so that carers
can get the rise they deserve too. Ignoring carers is no way to
reward those who’ve been at the forefront of fighting this
pandemic."
The MP said the increases in pay would not make up for the lost
years of public sector pay restraint. He said:- "Even the rises
that have been announced do not make up for the 10 years of
austerity that have gone before. The Conservatives froze public
sector pay for seven long years, and the rises that have been
introduced since then have failed to make up what was lost. For
many frontline workers these rises won’t make up for a decade of
real terms pay cuts. And to ask these departments to pay for pay
rises out of current budgets is like robbing Peter to pay Paul.
How does the Chancellor think the pay increases can be funded
without cutting elsewhere?"
The MP recently visited Formby Manor Care Centre in Formby,
where he praised the:- "compassion and dedication"
shown by care home staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that:- "some care homes
didn’t really follow the procedures in the way that they could
have."
Sefton Central Labour MP, Bill
Esterson said:- "This is a disgraceful thing to say.
Carers in my constituency have gone above and beyond what might
reasonably have been expected of them."
The MP spoke to staff at Formby Manor Care Centre, thanking them
for their hard work during the coronavirus crisis.
Mr Esterson told staff:- "Thank you to you all for your
hard work, compassion and dedication. This has been an
incredibly difficult time for everyone, but carers especially.
Contrary to what the Prime Minister had to say with his shameful
comments about care homes, I know how hard you and staff in care
homes across the constituency have worked to protect not only
your residents here but each other and the wider community too.
You have gone above and beyond. The care sector has for too long
been viewed as secondary to our wonderful NHS, but through this
crisis it has shown what carers and those they care for have
always known. Carers are just as important. Our NHS would not be
able to function without our residential and home care workers."
Formby Manor, on Liverpool Road, Formby, has 76 beds and offers
residential, nursing and specialist dementia care.
The MP met with manager Debra Roose and assistant manager Diane
De Isaula. The MP said:- "It is clear that the staff care
passionately about providing the very best care to some of the
most vulnerable people in our society."
Manager Debra Roose commented:
"The comfort, safety and happiness of our residents is of
utmost importance here at Formby Manor and it is wonderful to
have the team’s compassion and dedication recognised by Mr
Esterson during his visit."
9477 Children Step Their Cycling Up A
Gear, Thanks To Bikeability
NEW figures released by
the Bikeability Trust show a positive picture of children being
offered cycling training in Merseyside. 9477 children in
Merseyside took part in Bikeability cycle training from April
2019 to April 2020. The Department for Transport funded
programme has been delivered to over 3.5million children in
England since 2007 and proven to improve both cycle skills and
confidence on the road. Earlier this week, the Prime Minister
launched his vision for cycling and walking, including:-
“free cycling training for everyone who wants it.” The
Bikeability Trust will be working with the Department of
Transport to support this government vision, both regionally and
nationally. In response to a surge of interest in cycling during
Covid-19, the Bikeability Trust has launched their
#CycleMore2020 competition asking families to share what they
love about cycling. 1 lucky family will win £250
LoveToShop vouchers.
For more information about safe cycling tips and Bikeability’s
summer competition, please visit the group's
website. Emily
Cherry, Executive Director of the Bikeability Trust said:-
"This summer I am excited to encourage more families to get
out on their bikes and take part in our #CycleMore2020
challenge. We are delighted that so many children have found
confidence through the Bikeability programme and we are excited
to continue to support children to enjoy the many benefits of
cycling."
Total UK cases COVID-19 cases - update for Liverpool City Region
and surroundings
THE total number of UK
Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections that have been laboratory
confirmed, within the UK, has risen by 771 cases and the total
number now stand at 303,952, that includes tests carried out by
commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National
totals.
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK fatalities added to the
total, was sadly reported to be 74 according to the Department
of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a
positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS
laboratory is 46,193.
In England, there are a total of 262,070 confirmed cases. North
West - total of 46,277 confirmed cases. The number of laboratory
confirmed cases within the following Local Authorities, in and
around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-
► Liverpool, 2,560 confirmed cases.
► Sefton, 1,570 confirmed cases.
► Wirral, 2,067 confirmed cases.
► St. Helens, 1,206 confirmed cases
► Halton, 701 confirmed cases.
►
Blackpool, 1,049 confirmed cases.
Urgent warning issued to
residents.
►
Blackburn with Darwen,
1,397 confirmed cases.
.
Under local lockdown
warning
►
Bolton, 1,993
confirmed cases.
Under local lockdown
warning.
►
Bury, 1,342 confirmed
cases.
Under local lockdown
warning.
► Cheshire West and Chester, 2,043 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire East, 2,245 confirmed cases.
►
Lancashire, 3,306 confirmed cases.
Urgent warning issued to
residents.
►
Manchester, 3,269 confirmed cases.
Under local lockdown
warning.
►
Oldham, 2,134 confirmed
cases.
Under new local lockdown
measures!
Numbers up by 29 cases.
►
Rochdale, 1,870 confirmed cases.
Under local lockdown
warning
►
Stockport, 1,748 confirmed cases.
Under local lockdown
warning.
►
Tameside, 1,625 confirmed cases.
Under local lockdown
warning.
►
Trafford, 1,438 confirmed cases.
Under local lockdown
warning.
►
Wigan, 2,182 confirmed cases.
Under local lockdown
warning.