Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

Bill Esterson MP slams government tax rise and demands fresh look at health and social care funding options

THE Sefton Central, MP Bill Esterson has said that Government's plans to levy an unfair tax on workers to pay for its health and social care plans, and demanded that new options are brought forward. Last week, the Government published its plans to increase National Insurance contributions by 1.25%; an effective 10% rise; named the Health and Social Care Levy, which is understood to disproportionately affect younger workers. Instead, Bill Esterson has demanded a fresh look at the options to pay for health and social care reforms.

The Labour Party has suggested:-

► Save money by supporting people to stay in their homes instead of going to Hospitals; which IPPR analysis has suggested could save ₤2.5bn alone.

► Invest in staff training and paying a real living wage to carers.

► Reduce bureaucracy by bringing health and care together in partnership.

► Taxing fairly, starting with those with the broadest shoulders; including:- funds from stocks, shares, property portfolios and tax avoidance.

Analysis has shown that the National Insurance Contributions (NICS) rise will impact younger people more than older people. Graduates with a Student Loan earning over the repayment threshold of ₤27,295 will face marginal tax rates of 42.25% for the next 30 years, compared to workers over the age of 65; who no longer pay NICS; will receive an effective pay rise of 12% over their younger colleagues.

Commenting on the plans, Bill Esterson MP said:- "The NHS is crying out for a long term investment plan, but raising National Insurance Contributions is deeply unfair. It will mean low earners, young people and businesses will be paying far more out of pocket while older and wealthier people will be paying less. Instead of this unfair tax rise, the government should be asking those with the broadest shoulders to pay their fair share by targeting stocks, share, property portfolios and tax avoidance. My mother was granted her wish to spend her final few months alive in her own home. I want everyone to have that option; and Labour�s plan does that. Labour has a plan to fix health and social care. The Conservatives have no plan except from to steal from the young to pay the wealthy. Their proposals say nothing about the shortage of carers, the need for training and better pay, or helping people stay in their own home when they grow old and unwell."

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Councils to receive generous integration funding to support the resettlement of people from Afghanistan who are at risk

LOCAL Authorities will receive a generous funding package to support the resettlement of families who have come to the UK having been at risk in Afghanistan, and are being urged to make offers of accommodation for those starting a new life in the UK. Councils who support people through the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) or Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme will receive ₤20,520 per person, over 3 years, for resettlement and integration costs. This is based on the previous Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, but over 3 rather than 5 years, with more money provided in the crucial early period to help people settle and become part of their new communities.

Local Councils and health partners who resettle families will also receive up to ₤4,500 per child for education, ₤850 to cover English language provision for adults requiring this support and ₤2,600 to cover healthcare.

A further ₤20m of flexible funding will be made available to support Local Authorities with higher cost bases with any additional costs in the provision of services. In addition, the previously announced Afghan Housing Costs Fund will increase from ₤5m to ₤17m and run for 2 extra years to help Local Authorities provide housing and give certainty that funding will be available in the future.

In a letter to all Local Authorities in England, Wales and Scotland and to Northern Ireland Executive representatives, the Home Secretary and Communities Secretary have asked more Local Authorities to now step up and offer places for people coming from Afghanistan. The funding offer is for councils across the UK.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:- "The UK is a proud democratic country, so it is unimaginable for many of us to live in fear of being ourselves or not having access to even the most basic rights. That is why we are providing a safe haven in the UK for people at risk, including:- women and girls and minority groups, so they can rebuild their lives safely in the UK. The funding we've announced will help new arrivals to integrate into British society, while giving councils offering support the certainty they need."

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said:- "I'm incredibly impressed by the positive response we�ve received from councils so far, with a large number already pledging their support. However, we urgently need more offers of accommodation to welcome Afghan families who have remained firm allies of the UK, working with our troops and our country so bravely in recent years. With this extra funding in place, I�m asking all councils who have not yet come forward to contact us with a firm offer of support to help these families secure the best possible start to their new lives."

Under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, the Government has committed to resettling up to 20,000 Afghans, of which 5,000 will be resettled in the scheme's 1st year. This is in addition to the ARAP scheme, which has already resettled thousands of Afghans who have worked with the UK Government, and their families.

Today�s policy statement sets out that the ACRS will prioritise those who have assisted the UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for the values we share, such as:- democracy, women's rights, freedom of speech and the rule of law, as well as other vulnerable people, including:- women, girls and members of minority groups at risk (including ethnic and religious minorities and LGBT).

Some of those who arrived in the UK under the Op PITTING evacuation programme, which included individuals who were considered to be at particular risk, will be resettled under the ACRS. People who were notified by the Government that they had been called forward or specifically authorised for evacuation, but were not able to board flights, will also be offered a place if they subsequently come to the UK.

Further to this, to help identify those most at risk and vulnerable, the government is working closely with the UN's Refugee Agency, UNHCR, to identify and resettle refugees who have fled Afghanistan based on their protection and humanitarian need.

The Government is also working with international partners and NGOs in the Region to implement a referral process for people inside Afghanistan, where safe passage can be arranged, and for those that have recently fled to other countries in the Region.

Other details released today include:

► While it is expected the vast majority of people resettled under the Scheme will be Afghan, nationals of other countries, for example in mixed nationality families, will be eligible.

► Spouses, partners and dependent children under 18 years of eligible individuals will be eligible for the route. Other family members may be resettled in exceptional circumstances.

► Unaccompanied children will be accepted where resettlement in the UK is in their best interest, for example if they cannot be reunited with family in the Region.

Afghan Resettlement Minister Victoria Atkins said:- "I'm proud of the mammoth effort taking place across the whole of the UK to welcome people from Afghanistan. Our resettlement scheme will help to build a bright future for thousands of people who have helped us."

As part of ongoing, Government wide efforts to help Afghan arrivals to rebuild their lives, the Department for Work and Pensions is launching surgeries across the country, run by experienced work coaches with translators, to help those arriving with any questions they may have about employment or benefits. These surgeries, combined with access to benefits, will allow new arrivals to receive individual tailored support to help them become self sufficient more quickly and find work as they get settled in the UK.

The Government is also legislating this week to take forward our:- 'Operation Warm Welcome' commitments. This includes:- ensuring that all those arriving in both schemes are eligible for social housing and homelessness support after arriving and will be able to claim benefits such as Universal Credit from day 1. This is matched by the immediate right to work upon entry.

Care Workforce Crisis

CARE England, the largest representative body for independent providers of adult social care, continues to challenge the Government for more support for the workforce crisis in the adult social care sector. Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:- "Quite simply care providers are at breaking point. The writing is on the wall and without immediate help, as given to the NHS, the social care sector will crumple and not be there to support the NHS over the winter let alone in years to come.�

Care England wrote to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care last month outlining the very real workforce issues that persist in the sector and what practical steps could be taken to remedy them. Members of Care England have been encouraged to share their practical solutions to aid recruitment and retention in an attempt to share best practice and a last-ditch attempt to save the sector. We encourage the Government to take these suggestions on board and implement them as soon as possible including:- Expanding the workforce by recruiting from abroad. The sector will need an additional 35,000 to 70,000 workers following the Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment. Reducing the qualifying level for overseas recruitment for social care staff (₤25,600). Also, adding all care workers to the Shortage Occupation List and reducing the salary threshold for immigration:-

� Waiving the Immigration Skills Charge for care workers.

� Fast track system to grant visas under sponsorship licenses for people working in social care.

� Bonuses/increase pay.

� Direct support to help fund those suffering from PTSD.

� The need for the continuation of COVID funds.

Martin Green continues:- "We have done an enormous amount of work on what could and should be done to help the adult social care workforce and hope that we can look to the Government for support."

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:- 29,173 cases and the total number now stand at:- 7,226,276 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:- 56 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:- 134,200, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 156,888.

In England, there are a total of:- 6,197,654 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 987,118 confirmed cases.

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