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The North West
is suffering most from austerity
UNEMPLOYMENT in the North
West is now close to 10% of the working age population. The total
number unemployed is now 325,000, up 18,000 in the quarter to
February, according to the latest data from the Office of National
Statistics.
While there was a very modest fall in unemployment nationally, the
North West sadly bucked the trend and suffered the biggest increase
of any region in the UK. This raises concerns that the Government's
austerity policies are having a particularly negative impact on less
affluent regions.
UNISON, the UK's largest union is accusing the Government of being
frozen into inaction by their no-hope policy of public service cuts.
Kevan Nelson, UNISON North West Regional Secretary said:-"An
unemployment rate approaching 10% has very serious consequences in
terms of social problems and wasted talent. There is an urgent need
for the Government to re-think it's policy of austerity.
Thousands of public sector jobs have been lost in the North West,
with women being particularly affected. The private sector is not
creating sufficient new jobs and the record number of people forced
into part-time working is masking the sheer scale of unemployment.
Cuts are not the answer, we need investment in jobs and services to
stimulate the economy and breathe new life into failing local
economies."
New website
launched for city centre pedestrians
RESIDENTS, visitors and
students in and around Liverpool can now plan their routes and
discover more of the city using a new website, walkit.com, the urban
walking route planner which generates route maps between any two
points, giving journey time, calorie burn, step count and carbon
saving information. The site can also generate flat level routes
without any steps or obstacles for less able pedestrians - it's
quick, free, healthy and green.
Working with Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Vision,
Merseytravel's TravelWise campaign has supported the inclusion of
Liverpool onto the Walk It website to coincide with the temporary
closure of Liverpool Central Station and support those who would
normally use Central Station to finish their journey on foot.
Walking is the perfect way to clear your head at the start or end of
a busy day, even a 10 minute power walk can get your heart beating
and the feel good hormones kicking around your body. During the
station closure a shuttle bus service will operate from Moorfields
and Lime Street stations, but by simply visiting
walkit.com you can
plan an easy walking alternative, beat the crowds and step up your
fitness! |
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Last Chance To
Recognise Regional Stars Of Deaf Communication
PEOPLE wishing to honour
those leading the way in deaf communication have less than 3
weeks before the search for the country's most inspirational
teachers and learners draws to a close.
Organisers of the 2012 Signature Annual Awards are urging those who
have a friend, relative or colleague making a real difference to the
lives of the deaf community to complete their nomination before the
awards' regional categories close on Wednesday, 2 May 2012.
Submissions for the regional Learner of the Year and regional
Teacher of the Year awards must be made via:-
signature.org.uk/awards
before the May deadline.
Hosted by leading awarding body Signature, the annual awards aim to
recognise individuals and organisations that have made an
outstanding contribution to improving communications and access for
deaf and deaf blind people.
Jim Edwards, Chief Executive of Signature, said:- "Since the
launch of the 2012 Signature Annual Awards earlier this year we have
already received some outstanding examples of how individuals up and
down the country are making a significant contribution toward
achieving a society in which deaf and deafblind people have full
access.
However I'm certain there will be many more inspirational stories
still to come, but time is running out. I'd urge anyone who knows a
teacher or a learner who has made a real impact in their local
community to step up and shout about their life-changing efforts
before the deadline on 2 May."
The 2012 Signature Annual Awards will also mark Signature's 30th
anniversary. Originally formed in 1982 as an academic research
project at Durham University, Signature is now the UK's leading
provider of accredited qualifications in sign language and other
forms of deaf and deaf blind communication.
The awards' regional shortlists will be announced on 16 May 2012,
with the regional winners unveiled on 13 June. Each regional winner
will then progress to the national final later this year when the
UK's Teacher of the Year and Learner of the Year will be chosen.
Nominations for the awards' remaining categories, including
Community Spirit, Young Learner of the Year and Organisational
Achievement, must be submitted by Wednesday, 27 June 2012.
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