Liverpool - Capital of Fashion, Fashion Week Launch

THE official launch run up to Liverpool Fashion Week 2011 has started.  Liverpool Fashion Week, in association with Fake Bake, is the biggest fashion event for the North West of England, with 40 catwalk shows across 5 nights at the trendiest venues in the city, with live entertainment from the freshest talent.  Liverpool Fashion Week 2011 takes place between 18-22 October and promises to be a sensational event, with A-list celebrities, high profile retailers and the newest young local talented designers showcasing their collections on the catwalk. Models to be used in this year’s week of events range from 6 – 22 making it accessible to all ages and sizes.

Amanda Moss LFW Director, said:- "We’re delighted to be working with names ranging from Karen Millen, Next, Evans and local giant Matalan and Littlewoods, to new local designers such as Paris G and Sally Ellis (Sve)." Amanda pictured (see attached) has been really encouraged with the feedback from models, designers and dedicated followers of fashion. She comments "Brilliant young designers in Liverpool understandably focus their resources on creating outstanding collections. We will use our styling and image making expertise to help promote and build their businesses and get their great work out their so style hungry men and women of the region can wear and support new talent.  If you're a style snob London Fashion Week has it all. But can you actually afford a single item? If you've an eye for fashion and a budget for bargains (i.e. like 99% of normal women), Liverpool Fashion Week is leagues ahead."

For more information on Liverpool Fashion Week 2011 visit  the events website:- liverpoolfashionweek.co.uk.

PAC report into PFI UNISON response

AS the case against PFI grows, UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union, called again on the government to “ditch” it as a way of financing public building projects.  A report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), is branding PFI a better deal for the private sector than the public sector, highlighting the heavy ongoing financial burden it places on public organisations. The report also criticises the huge profits made by PFI investors, many of whom are located offshore for tax purposes.

Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:- "UNISON has always said PFI is a bad deal for the taxpayer, and in the current economic climate the case for it is weaker than ever. Many hospitals are now shedding staff and postponing operations because they are struggling to payoff their PFI debt. There are new ways of financing major public building projects, but the Tories are ploughing ahead regardless, expanding their use of PFI dramatically. They were the pioneers of PFI but in opposition they started singing from a different hymn sheet entirely - criticising PFI at every opportunity. It is a disgrace that many of the PFI investors are registered offshore for tax purposes. They are literally ripping the taxpayer off twice – and making huge profits in the process. It is time to ditch PFI once and for all. A recent report by UNISON revealed that Government borrowing from capital markets would be far more cost-effective, saving hundreds of millions on one hospital building project alone. As budgets get squeezed, every pound possible should be going towards keeping services running and maximising patient care – not to topping up investors’ lucrative offshore accounts."

Do you agree with UNISON?  Email us your views to our news room via:- news24@southportreporter.com.