Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

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Santa and his sleigh is officially ON - and coming to a street near you!

IT'S been an unusual year but not even a worldwide pandemic will stop Santa from riding his sleigh around Southport this Christmas. The Southport Hesketh Round Table Santa and his festive elves WILL be carrying out their sleigh ride tours across Southport after the lockdown ends on 2 December 220. And, while the float tours may look a little different from years gone by, they have never been more important because each of the charities and local community projects behind them have lost income as a result of the Coronavirus.

Marc Foreman, Vice Chairman estimates they have lost up to ₤15,000 after major fundraising events, including:- the bonfire display and Mad Dog 10k, had to be called off. And 100% of all these donations go towards local charities and community projects. He hopes families who watch Santa�s sleigh route will give generously; although rather than dropping their loose change in a bucket, they will go online using a Justgiving donations page. Marc Foreman said:- "We are ecstatic with the news that we're now in a Tier 2 region that we can now travel the streets of Southport."

Southport Hesketh Round Table stress that:- "collectors will not be knocking on doors and families should wave at Santa and his Elves from their windows or doorsteps rather than approach the sleigh, in order to keep to the social distancing guidelines."

Marc Foreman added:- "I think it's really important for local children that we do the float; otherwise the message is that Santa can�t come because of Covid19 and nothing can stop Santa from visiting."

The full itinerary will be published nearer the time on the Southport Hesketh Round Table Facebook account, where people can also make a donation using the just giving page.

Marc continued:- �At the moment we have lost all of our donation channels after we had to cancel the events, and the 2020 donations are down. This year we received a fantastic donation to purchase a new sound system for the float from Methven UK Ltd, supplier of premium showers and taps, so this will enhance the Christmas Spirit this year."

Southport Hesketh Round Table donates to a host of good causes annually and Marc suspects there will be more causes that need help next year, as a result of the Pandemic. As well as the sleigh ride, the charity is supporting Families in Need that are struggling for a Christmas Dinner this year. They have pledged to provide the ingredients for a Christmas dinner and a few Christmas presents or games for 60 local families in the local area. They are working with the Southport schools and Local Council to ensure that these families can enjoy a Christmas dinner and something that most of us take for granted on the special day.

National Online Safety Launch Free App with Myleene Klass to Protect Children from Online Risks during Lockdown

A free app has been launched by an award winning online safety provider, National Online Safety, for parents and educators featuring courses delivered by Myleene Klass to help trusted adults respond to children�s increased screen time during the Covid19 pandemic. Recent studies have shown that 69% of parents witnessed their children�s screen time skyrocket over the last 12 months, with young people spending as much as 9 hours a day in front of screens during lockdown. In response, National Online Safety; with funding from Innovate UK; has created a comprehensive mobile app that provides parents and schools with expert advice on keeping children safe online.

The app provides instant access to an online safety course for parents, designed by experts and delivered by Myleene Klass, as well as hundreds of guides and introductory videos on the latest apps, games and devices used by children. These resources have all been compiled by trusted subject matter experts to reflect the latest online trends and changes in Government policy for Schools.

The platform has already received enthusiastic feedback from Schools and parents across the UK. Kathy Thompson, Executive Headteacher at West Road Primary Academy in Doncaster, said:- "The National Online Safety app is a much needed resource, especially for those who don't feel confident in their knowledge of new apps and games. Checking it is now part of my daily routine, and I think that it will go a long way to help teachers who, like me, want to protect their students around the clock."

Hannah Kingsley is the Online Safety and Digital Curriculum Lead for EYFS and Key Stage One, at Grove Street Primary School, in Birkenhead, Merseyside. She also said:- "I really like the app, It is so useful to have all of this information on hand, it makes sharing content with colleagues and parents even easier."

Michelle Anderson, a parent at Wilmslow High School in Cheshire, also added that the app has:- "A great layout and is really easy to navigate. Lots of information and the course layout is good."

Free features of app include:-

► Hundreds of online safety guides on the topics trusted adults need to know about; from games and social media to cyber bullying and mental health.

► An online safety training course for parents; developed by experts and delivered by online safety ambassador Myleene Klass.

► A Netflix style user friendly interface with increased functionality; users can find exactly what they need, when they need it.

► The option to receive notifications as soon as new content becomes available; so users can stay up to date with the latest online crazes (and risks).

► An in-app voting system so users can help determine the subjects they would like National Online Safety to cover in future;

► The facility to personalise content by favouriting key resources.

► Synchronisation with the National Online Safety website, so users can pick straight up where they left off; even on a different device.

As well as these features, member schools of National Online Safety can also access a huge range of online courses and lesson plans that are aligned with the latest statutory requirements around online safety for:- leaders, educators, non-teaching staff and Governors. With hundreds of platforms, games and devices covered on the app, it is the most comprehensive online safety resource on the market. The app is now available for free across the Google Play and Apple App Stores.

James Southworth, co-founder of National Online Safety, believes that the app will help adults protect children from online safety risks around the clock, particularly during the upcoming Christmas holiday. He said:- "We feel that this app is one of the most important tools for parents and Teachers in the digital age. During Christmas, there�s always a huge surge of online activity. Children are no longer in School, and many of them have new devices and games to play with, so getting this app out to parents before the festive period was our ultimate goal. As a dad myself, I know how difficult it can be to stay savvy to developments in the online world; it can seem like a mammoth task, but by creating this app we hope we can make your job a bit easier."

₤2.9bn to Restart job hunt for over a million unemploye

A new milti billion Pound support package aimed at helping the long term unemployed fire up their job search and return to work has been announced. The nearly ₤3bn Restart scheme will give jobseekers out of work for 12 months or more intensive support to find jobs in their local area, and break down any employment barriers that could be holding them back from finding work. Using their in depth knowledge of the local jobs market, advisors will work with organisations across communities including Local Authorities, to deliver tailored support based on the jobseeker�s specific needs. For some this might include bespoke training to switch into growth sectors, help to excel at recruitment stage, or support to get the right certificates to take up a job in a different industry such as construction or transport or to update skills such as IT. Through fortnightly meetings, specialists will develop a strong understanding of their employment history and serve as a vital support network, helping them boost their chances of entering work.

Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey said:- "Jobseekers who have been out of work for some time may need intensive help to get back on their feet and into employment. Through our Plan for Jobs they will get this support; the Restart scheme will help offer specialist help to find vacancies in their local area and training if needed, giving them the best chance at finding work. This is all part of our plan to Build Back Better."

Elizabeth Taylor, CEO of Employment Related Services Association said:- "The Employment Support sector welcomes the announcement of Restart commissioning alongside the expansion Work Coaches at Jobcentre Plus, that will ensure the right people are referred to the right provisions at the right time. The Employment Support sector itself will expand to meet the challenges of future delivery. This work has already begun with partnerships and collaborations being developed to increase capacity, and to build diverse supply chains that will reach into local communities through knowledge of employers and with local partnerships including the 3rd sector, specialists and local authorities. For the Employment Support sector Restart is a start, we look forward to the details of allocation of ESF reserves and the future Shared Prosperity Fund to provide effective employment support for all."

The scheme is expected to help more than a million jobseekers over the course of 3 years, and will be available in England and Wales. Support for long term unemployment, in Scotland, will be considered separately by the Scottish Government. Support will last up to 12 months and is targeted at Universal Credit claimants out of work for more than a year and in need of extra help to find new employment.

Wider support of the Plan for Jobs includes:-

► Kickstart, backing hundreds of thousands of young people by creating new opportunities.

► JETS aimed at helping those made jobless by the pandemic.

► Doubling the number of frontline Work Coaches to ensure jobseekers have access to bespoke support.

► SWAPS supporting jobseekers to build new skills in sectors with vacancies.

► Youth Hubs providing vital access to young people across local communities.

► Job Finding Support working with local organisations to provide jobseekers with tailored support.

The announcement follows the Government�s new 10 Point Plan for a green economy creating 250,000 new jobs, as well as an additional ₤16.5bn injected into the armed forces generating 10,000 additional roles.

Finance Minister backs light rail could this be good news for Liverpool as well?

TRAMS are back in fashion as TramForward says that they are encouraged by the support given to light rail by Jesse Norman MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in a House of Commons debate, in Westminster Hall, on Wednesday, 25 November 2020. We are told that Jesse Norman MP was replying to a question put forward by James Grundy MP (Leigh Conservative), a member of the All Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group, about connecting Leigh to Greater Manchester's Metrolink system. In the question Mr Grundy said that he hoped that:- "in the fullness of time, the Leigh guided busway system could be upgraded to a Public Transport Pathway including a light rail link." He cited evidence of the greater ability of light rail to persuade motorists out of their cars as well as the environmental gains from new technology such as hydrogen powered light rail. to this, Jesse Norman MP replied that:- "it was absolutely right to pick up light rail, which was inexpensive compared with heavy rail and could lead to a beautiful new industry for the UK to develop." He he added that he looked forward to hearing more about the proposal. Jim Harkins, the Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA) Campaigns Group Chairman, said:- "The Minister was very positive about light rail when he was at the Department for Transport and it is encouraging to hear the same sentiments now he is at the Treasury."

Interestingly Liverpool has not had a Liverpool tram system since its final closure in September 1957, but hopes had been raised when the:- 'Merseytram' light rail system was proposed in 2001. The had hoped to have a tram network, but the 3 line project was postponed due to funding problems before eventually being formally closed down by Merseytravel in October 2013. This raises the question, could the:- 'Merseytram' project to connect the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley with central Liverpool be revived and again form part of the Merseyside Local Transport Plan? Already a plan to bring trackless electric trams, or the correct term trolleybus to Liverpool is already underway. A trolleybus is an electric bus that draws power from dual overhead wires, and this idea has been pushed since 2017, when Mayor Joe Anderson brought up the Paddington Line plan at the MIPIM property conference. In February 2020, this idea took a step closure. The would aim of the Paddington Line would be to connect Liverpool City Centre with its Universities and new Paddington Village development. What are your thoughts on this? Please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com and let us know if you think the "Merseytram" light rail system should ve revisited and a new proposal put in place? This might help with rebuilding the local economy after the Covid Pandemic and also help to keep travel time and emissions down in our area.... Do you Agree?

Did you know? London had the largest Trolleybuses system in the world, for much of its existence, serving the London Passenger Transport Area from 1931 until 1962. Now London is looking at bringing them back as well!

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:- 15,871 cases and the total number now stand at:- 1,605,172 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:- 479, 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:- 58,030, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 66,713.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 15,712. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 1,417 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,451.

Over the Pandemic, in England, there are a total of:- 1,380,869 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 303,529 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

LOCKDOWN

Liverpool City Region

► Liverpool, 23,918 confirmed cases.
79

► Halton, 4,635 confirmed cases.
19

► Knowsley, 7,773 confirmed cases. 18

► Sefton, 10,473 confirmed cases..
36

► St. Helens, 7,552 confirmed case.
25

► Wirral, 9,957 confirmed cases.

29

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to100 100 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, 9,513 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 5,165 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 14,965 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 9,632 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 8,842 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 8,874 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 46,927 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 30,797 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 14,683 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 7,102 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 12,497 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 13,266 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 10,433 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 10,331 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 8,634 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 8,128 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 16,377 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 27 November 202.