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Liverpool City Region Covid19 Updates
... and Important Emergency Notices ...

YOU can get daily major and interesting news updates for the Liverpool City Region on our free email news service, via signing up on:- Formby Reporter.  If you have any updates to send in or any views on the posts on here, please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.


This page last updated on 15 December 2020


Dangerous Email Warning to all businesses

WE are getting reports of an email reporting to be from Companies House. If you get this email, do not use the link. The link goes to a php page that isn't hosted on a UK Government website. The email states:- "We've received an online company complaint ref-101220-OCC6XU73R290HT8." and has the subject header:- "Online company complaint ref-151220-BTC2XU590R2HT8." The email appears to be from Companies House and has a link to it and the UK's Insolvency Service. This is a very well worded email and with the links below the fake link, plus the email appearing to be from:- Online-Complaints@CompaniesHouse.Gov.UK if you look at it when it comes into your inbox unless you look close, you might miss the fake link. If you get this email, please forward it to to the UK Police's Action Fraud's Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) at:- Report@Phishing.Gov.UK.

  


Over 100 MPs tell Chancellor:- 'Now is not the time for the Government to turn its back on our small breweries'

A cross party group of MPs, including former Pubs Minister Andrew Percy, are today calling on the Chancellor to reconsider changes to a scheme which has transformed the small brewing sector in the UK. In a letter signed by 103 MPs, they argue that altering Small Breweries' Relief (SBR) will put a great British success story under threat at a time when many businesses are struggling to survive. SBR has provided the basis for growth and innovation in the brewing sector and means there is a small brewery in nearly every constituency, employing 6,000 full time jobs and contributing ₤270 million to GDP each year.

The letter has been signed by Members of Parliament from across the political divide; including a significant number of Conservative MPs who see local brewers as key parts of their local communities and crucial to the levelling up agenda. 15 MPs went to the House of Commons in November to speak in a debate on the subject, while more than 50,000 people from across the UK have signed a petition calling for the Government to reverse the decision.

Former Pubs Minister Andrew Percy MP, who organised the letter, said:- "Small breweries have been at the heart of the craft beer revolution and exist in every part of the UK. They're often led by entrepreneurial young people, whose innovations in brewing are helping expand choice for the increasingly discerning British drinker. Small Breweries' Relief is key to the success of our small breweries that are leading innovation, creating jobs in our communities and helping to bring people together. The brewing sector has been hurt badly by Covid and needs Treasury support to thrive. Now is not the time for the Government to turn its back on our small breweries by introducing potentially damaging changes to SBR."

Under the current system, small breweries pay a proportionate amount of tax on the small amount of beer they produce compared to the global companies that dominate the industry. Up to 5,000 hectolitres; which is about 900,000 pints; they pay 50% of beer duty to the Treasury. Plans announced by the Treasury in July will see the 50% threshold reduced from 5,000 hl to 2,100hl; meaning that over 150 small breweries will have to pay more tax. At the same time, those larger in size will pay the same amount of tax or less. The Treasury also proposes converting the relief to a 'cash basis' which could see support for all brewers receiving SBR being eroded away.

Chief Executive of the Society of Independent Brewers, James Calder said:- "SBR has been a great success, revolutionising brewing in the UK and allowing more brewers to start up and compete against the global companies that dominate beer in our country. The Chancellor is forcing destructive changes on small breweries, which we have not asked for and do not support. The Treasury needs to urgently reverse course, not reduce the 50% threshold below 5,000hl and give the industry something to cheer about."

This letter comes as the Treasury announces plans to plough ahead with the changes and has launched a technical consultation to consider how to implement them. Small breweries have been amongst the hardest hit during the Covid crisis, losing 80% of their sales during the lockdowns when the pubs have closed without the same Government support package as the hospitality sector.


Bill Esterson MP speaks out for the "excluded"

SEFTON Central MP Bill Esterson asked the Government to look at financial support for the:- "excluded" group of workers and businesses who have so far had no help during the pandemic.

Mr Esterson asked Business Secretary Alok Sharma:- "Many freelancers and self employed people have had little or no financial support. They don't qualify for furlough, for the self employed scheme or for business grants either. With billions of pounds being returned in tax relief for business rates by the major retailers, why aren't Minister using that money, as the retailers are suggesting, to support those hundreds of thousands of people who have had little or no financial support so far?"

Mr Esterson said:- "The response from the Minister was again inadequate. People don't want to know about the schemes they haven't been eligible for. As welcome as the furlough scheme has been, it doesn't help a freelancer to know that their neighbour's wages have been covered by the Government while their income has not. With billions of pounds unexpectedly being paid to the Government by retailers paying business rates they didn't have to, it's time for this excluded group to be helped."


Bill Esterson MP calls on Government to release PPE usage data after Merseyside firm "ignored"

IT is thought that ever since the Coronavirus evolved in animals to infecting humans, it has been changing at around 2 mutations a month, with the variant (G614) emerging to global dominance. That means since the start of the Pandemic, there have been around 25 mutations since the strain found in Wuhan in China. It is normal for a virus to alter itself as that is what the do, so scientists are watching the changes as at times, the small changes mean they can become better at infecting us or other times it doesn't make a difference, then again it can mean the virus just dies out by becoming less infectious. There is no clear cut evidence that the new variant of Coronavirus, which has been detected within South East of England, will render the new vaccines useless, or if it will be able to transmit more easily, or even cause more serious symptoms than with the current known variants. This one of the latest adaptations to be deletion, with the other in recent weeks, being H69/V70, that strain was found in infected mink. We are being told that it is far too early to make any inference on how important this new 'London Strain' is and scientists are keeping a close eye on it. It will take time for experiments in the laboratory to figure out if this variant really is a better spreader than all the others. But, the worry is that virus could have mutated to spread more easily and is already causing more infections, resulting in the current rise of infections in the UK. This rise in infections could fuel the Coronavirus' evolutionary path, making it change faster. If it does, it could drive the evolution of the virus up far quicker than expected and we may have to regularly update the vaccines, as we do for flu, to keep up. But for now, please sleep safe and just keep to the rules in your area. we should remember that Scientific theory suggests viruses may become weaker in order to survive, as killing or incapacitating too many human hosts will limit their capacity to spread.


Sefton Council to run restricted services over the festive period

SEFTON Council will have restricted services in place during Christmas and New Year as most Sefton Council staff are required to take unpaid leave as part of continuous cost saving measures. Like previous years, residents can still access a range of information and transactions via the Council website:- Sefton.Gov.UK. This includes:- checking bin collections, applying for:- licences, reporting environmental issues or paying Council Tax and business rates.

Because of the unpaid leave to be taken on 24 December, 29 December, 30 December and 31 December 2020, most Council buildings will be closed, contributing to significant savings as part of the budget setting process. Services that will continue to operate include:- critical social care services for adults and children, a limited street cleaning service, Registrars, domestic and commercial waste collections and urgent highways issues, including gritting.

Residents are also being encouraged to recycle as much waste as possible and use the Household Waste Recycling Centres across the borough. Similar to other years, the green wheelie bin collection for garden waste has now been suspended and will return in March 2021.

Some Sefton Council run leisure centres will be open at varying times during these dates and users are advised to check the Council's website:- Sefton.Gov.UK for opening times.

Cllr Ian Maher, Labour Leader of Sefton Council, said:- "The Christmas shutdown has been in operation for a number of years now and it contributes to the savings we have to make due significant reductions in Government funding. Over the course of the financial year, our hard working staff have their pay reduced in order to take four days unpaid leave. Other savings from the closure period come from the reduced need for:- heating, lighting and running buildings, equipment and vehicles, which all help contribute to the saving we need to make. While reduced services are being operated, we will still maintain key services for some of the most vulnerable residents in our communities. However, it is still clear to see that austerity is not over and the harsh Government cuts are still biting us with a noticeable impact on our residents."

To access a range of service and transactions online, visit:- Sefton.Gov.UK. An automated phone service will be in place which details helpful emergency points of contact on:- 03451400845 and most service requests will only be actioned beyond January.

If you require emergency Covid19 support, please call:- 03451400845 between 10am to 3pm, on 24 December, 29 December 30 December, 31 December 2020, 2 January 2021 and 3 January 2021.

Information regarding Covid test sites is available 24 hours a day at:- Sefton.Gov.UK.

If you are experiencing a crisis or severe financial hardship and need emergency support with food, gas or electricity you may be eligible for help. You must live in Sefton, be aged 16 or over and you will be required to provide a contact telephone number so that support can be arranged.

If you are eligible please call:- 0151 934 3663, between 10am until 12 noon, on 29 December and 30 December 2020. This is for emergencies only.

Normal service will resume, on Monday, 4 January 2021.


Do you know what restrictions are in each area in England...?

THIS week we have heard news that London is moving in to Tier 3, sending shockwaves out in the national media, but what are the differences between the tiers and what areas are currently in them? But please remember, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Irelands have different rules to England.

Tier 1 - MEDIUM RISK

Areas within Tier 1, where there is medium risk of the virus, will be subject to social distancing measures, the:- "rule of 6" and pubs can stay open until 11pm.
South East

 Isle of Wight
 
South West

 Cornwall
 Isles of Scilly

Tier 2 - HIGH RISK

Areas within Tier 2, where there is a high risk of Coronavirus are banned from mixing with other households indoors, including in pubs. When outside, the rule of 6 applies. Social distancing measures, and the "rule of 6" outdoors in public and private spaces will continue in this Tier. Pubs must serve a meal with drinks and last orders will be at 10pm with a closing time of 11pm.
North West

 Cumbria
 Liverpool City Region
 Warrington and Cheshire
Yorkshire

 York
 North Yorkshire
East Midlands

 Rutland
 Northamptonshire
West Midlands

 Worcestershire
 Herefordshire
 Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin
East of England

 Suffolk
 Cambridgeshire, including Peterborough
 Norfolk
 Parts of Hertfordshire
 Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes
 Parts of Essex
South West

 South Somerset, Somerset West and Taunton, Mendip and Sedgemoor
 Bath and North East Somerset
 Dorset
 Bournemouth
 Christchurch
 Poole
 Gloucestershire
 Wiltshire and Swindon
 Devon
South East

 East Sussex
 West Sussex
 Brighton and Hove
 Surrey
 Reading
 Wokingham
 Bracknell Forest
 Berkshire
 Windsor and Maidenhead
 West Berkshire
Hampshire - Portsmouth and Southampton
 Buckinghamshire
 Oxfordshire

Tier 3: Very High alert

Areas located within Tier 3 are where Coronavirus transmission rates are of the greatest concern. Within these areas households are not allowed to mix either indoors or outdoors in private gardens. Pubs and bars have closed in the very high alert level areas, except for takeaway. People have also been advised against travel in and out of the areas. But they will get access to new rapid result tests for everyone which gives tests in under an hour, a strategy which has seen when Liverpool's pushed it and it lead to the number of cases dropping quickly.
North East

 Tees Valley Combined
 Hartlepool
 Middlesbrough
 Stockton on Tees
 Redcar and Cleveland
 Darlington
 North East Combined
 Sunderland
 South Tyneside
 Gateshead
 Newcastle upon Tyne
 North Tyneside
 County Durham
 Northumberland
North West

 Greater Manchester
 Lancashire
 Blackpool
 Blackburn with Darwen
South West

 Bristol
 South Gloucestershire
 North Somerset
South East

 Slough
 Kent and Medway
 Parts of Hertfordshire and Essex:-

Basildon
Brentwood
Harlow
Epping Forest
Castle Point
Rochford
Maldon
Braintree
Chelsmford
Thurrock

 Southend on Sea borough Council
 Hertfordshire:-

Broxbourne
Hertsmere
Watford
The 3 Ricers

East Midlands

 Derby and Derbyshire
 Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
 Leicester and Leicestershire
 Lincolnshire
West Midlands

 Birmingham and Black Country
 Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent
 Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull
Yorkshire and The Humber

 The Humber
 West Yorkshire
 South Yorkshire
London

 All 32 boroughs, plus the City of London

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:- 18,450 cases and the total number now stand at:- 1,888,116 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:- 506, 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:- 64,908, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 76,287.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 17,329. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 1,288 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,637.

In England, there are a total of:- 1,618,678 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 328,074 confirmed cases.

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

 

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



National UK Lockdown

Tier 2

Liverpool City Region

Liverpool, 24,974 confirmed cases.

91

Halton, 5,025 confirmed cases.

27

Knowsley, 8,121 confirmed cases. 20
Sefton, 10,940 confirmed cases.

19

St. Helens, 8,101 confirmed case.

24

Wirral, 10,474 confirmed cases.

49

 
Colour Key:- 0  1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30  31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to100 101 over  



The number of laboratory confirmed cases within Local Authorities around the Liverpool City Region, since start of the Pandemic, are as follows:-

 

 Blackburn with Darwen, 10,451 confirmed cases.

 Blackpool, 5,670 confirmed cases.

 Bolton, 16,044 confirmed cases.

 Bury, 10,601 confirmed cases.

 Cheshire East, 9,898 confirmed cases.

 Cheshire West and Chester, 9,849 confirmed cases.

 Lancashire, 52,153 confirmed cases.

 Manchester, 33,119 confirmed cases.

 Oldham, 15,640 confirmed cases.

 Preston, 7,829 confirmed cases.

 Rochdale, 13,636 confirmed cases.

 Salford, 14,155 confirmed cases.

 Stockport, 11,204 confirmed cases.

 Tameside, 10,927 confirmed cases.

 Trafford, 9,202 confirmed cases.

 Warrington, 8,839 confirmed cases.

 Wigan, 17,794 confirmed cases.

 

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.

 

The latest R number is estimated at:- 0.9 to 1 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- -2% to 0% as of 11 December 2020. Cases are rising again, so please take care.
 


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