RMT condemns the Government�s plans to hand the West Coast Main Line to First Trenitalia for a decade of profiteering

RAIL Union RMT has responded to the DfT�s announcement that it intends to award a decade long contract to First Trenitalia to run the West Coast Main Line, by calling for an end to its obsession with privatisation, and for the service to instead be taken into public ownership.

A Prior Information Notice issued by the DfT on 31 March 2021, stated the Government�s intention to directly award a contract for the franchise, which is operated by First Group and the Italian state railways, for up to 10 years, 4 more years than it had initially planned, when the operator�s Covid Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement (ERMA) expires in March 2022.

RMT estimates that First Trenitalia could stand to make over ₤30m in management fees under its ERMA and initial Emergency Measures Agreement by March 2022, with this profiteering set to be cemented with a further decade long contract.

In contrast, the East Coast Main Line, LNER, has been successfully operating in public ownership for a number of years, with all surplus revenue reinvested in the rail network, rather than seeping out in profits to big business.

RMT is demanding that the DfT withdraw its ludicrous plans to hand the West Coast Main Line over to First Trenitalia for a decade of profiteering, and instead bring it back into public ownership as a matter of urgency.

General Secretary Mick Cash said:- "It is nonsensical that the Government is considering giving First Trenitalia the green light to operate and most likely profit from the West Coast Main Line for a whole decade, when the alternative, public ownership, has already proven to be effective and will provide far better value for money for passengers and taxpayers. Both the Welsh and Scottish have opted to bring rail passenger services into public ownership, yet the Westminster Government continues with its obsession with privatisation, serving only the interest of its big business cronies. If the Government is serious about meeting our climate change targets and building back better then it must put an end to this crony capitalism, and bring the West Coast Main Line, and the rest of the railway, into public ownership."

FREEMASONS TAKE LEAD ROLE IN NHS FRONTLINE WORKERS' DAY

THE inaugural celebration of NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers' Day is set to take place on 5 July 2021, with Freemasons leading the event.

The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), the governing body for Freemasons, is inviting its 200,000 members to fly specially designed flags, at 10am, on 5 July, to celebrate this unique day dedicated to the NHS, social care and all those that work on the front line, who have saved so many lives during the pandemic. The celebration will also remember those workers we sadly lost.

The UGLE is one of the core supporters of the event alongside the Cadet Forces, English Heritage and the Women's Institute. A ₤5 donation from every flag and length of bunting made will be equally divided between NHS Charities Together and the National Care Association.

Freemasonry for Women and the Order of Women Freemasons have also joined the UGLE in this initiative, as Freemasons aim to set a record for the number of flags raised simultaneously across the nation.

Subsequently, at 11am, Freemasons are planning a moment's silence to remember NHS workers and all those who died from Covid19. The day continues with a toast to the NHS, at 1pm, raising a cuppa to the NHS during afternoon tea, at 3pm, followed by an address to the nation, at 6pm.

At 8pm, the Freemasons will join the nation in an evening clap for NHS workers, while church bells are set to ring 73 times to celebrate 73 years of the NHS. Closing the celebrations at 9pm, there will be a #timetotoast for all NHS workers.

So far, nearly 37 Lodges and Provinces have made a commitment to the raising of the flag and other elements of the day. In addition, Northumberland Freemason, Nicholas Deakin, is hosting a special live streaming theatre show from the Tyne Theatre & Opera House with compere, comics, singers, reading, video footage and messages of support to raise money on the day.

Bruno Peek, pageant master to the Queen and creator of NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers Day, said:- "We are delighted that Freemasons, whose members come from all walks of life, are playing such a high profile and active role to start this special day of celebration and commemoration of those within the NHS, Social Care and on the Frontline who undertake so much for us all, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 52 weeks a year, without any thought of their own safety."

In addition, Dr David Staples, chief executive of the UGLE, and a Consultant in Acute Internal Medicine at Peterborough Hospital, said:- "We are facing the greatest global pandemic in living memory, and the NHS has never been so tested in its history. Its staff have been stretched beyond comprehension over the last year and they deserve our gratitude, our applause and all the support we can give. We are encouraging not only our 200,000 members, but the entire population to celebrate the day honouring and remembering the NHS workers with a complete programme of events on 5 July."

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Freemasons have been supporting the NHS in a great many different ways. They have donated more than ₤2.5m so far to the Covid effort and complete 18.5 million hours of volunteering to help those in need each year. The donation is being used to help with food, personal protective equipment (PPE), supplements for hospitals and hospices, funds for NHS workers and ambulances.

Freemasons have also offered their Lodges as bases to administer the vital vaccinations. In Hertfordshire, for example, Halsey Hall is being used as a vaccination centre, supporting three local GP surgeries. The centre has been operational since 15 January and once fully scaled up, there will be up to 1,000 vaccinations given there each day.

Meanwhile, Freemasons are rising to the challenge to provide essential PPE to protect the vulnerable and the NHS. Thousands of visors have already been produced, with several businesses adapting their production lines to meet demand. In Norwich, for example, Colin Breckons has been making face shields with his company's 3D printers, and giving them away free to the NHS and other key workers.

To find out more about NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers Day and to register your participation in the event, please visit:- NHSFrontLineDay.Org.

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 3,423 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,357,091 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:- 52 within 28 days of positive test, 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:- 126,816, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 149,168.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 3,536. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 517 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 273.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,810,234 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 600,403 confirmed cases.

The latest R number is estimated at:- 0.7 to 0.9, with a daily infection growth rate range of:- -5% to -2%, as of 26 March 2021.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-

Liverpool City Region

Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions.

► Liverpool, 48,405 confirmed cases.
10

► Halton, 11,911 confirmed cases. 13

► Knowsley, 17,329 confirmed cases. 13

► Sefton, 23,794 confirmed cases.
11

► St. Helens, 16,998 confirmed cases.
13

► Wirral, 24,257 confirmed cases.

7

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 100 100 to 199 200 & over

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test. Daily and cumulative numbers of Covid19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected Covid19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

31,425,682 5,205,505

Jab Stats correct as of:- 2 April 2021

The vaccination programme began on 8 December 2020 with people receiving the Vaccine developed by Pfizer / BioNTech, and people began receiving the Oxford University / AstraZeneca Vaccine from 4 January 2021. Both Vaccine s are given as 2 doses, at least 21 days apart, for a full vaccination course.