Will we see more of this in 2016 in Southport?

THE UK Government will publish the next Budget, on Wednesday, 16 March 2016. This new Budget will be implemented from 5 April 2016, but already many businesses and households are worried... For Southport, one of the biggest concerns, due to our dependency on the OAP tourism and the nursing market. So what will George Osborne do to UK pensions?

Will he listen to the likes of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) who are calling on George Osborne to focus on support for enterprises and help for established small businesses...? Also, what will the new HMRC quarterly tax filing obligations mean for small businesses? Will it see small business owners paying out estimated Taxes quarterly, not yearly, adding even more strain to the finances? Add to that, how will he help them with the stress of the new Pension system on pay roles?

So many questions, but we don't have long to wait to find out!

So what are you most worried about in this budget and what are you most looking forward to hearing? Please email us your views to our newsroom via:- News24@SouthportReporter.com!

Report calls for more affordable housing as 1st time buyer figures remain static

THE number of 1st time buyers is static demonstrating the need for more holistic housing policy according to a new report.  As the housing crisis continues, 1st time buyer figures highlighted in the UK Housing Review, has now been published, on Monday, 14 March 2016, by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) reveal the significant need for government to focus housing policy and investment on a rented offer for households for whom home ownership is out of reach.

Figures highlight that government is investing a total of £42 billion in the private market, with only £18 billion spent on affordable rented housing; just 30% of the total investment in housing.

The effect of the government's switch in priorities since last autumn's Spending Review means that investment in affordable renting will fall to its lowest levels since the 2nd World War.

Of the government's target for new homes to be built by 2020, only 12% will be affordable rented homes.

CIH research shows a fall in the number of affordable homes for rent over time and, analysis suggests that by 2020 there will be a 9% loss in both council and housing association properties let at social rents, equating to the loss of over 350,000 social rented homes altogether if further investment is not made.

With house prices once again approaching there 2007 peak in many areas, and well above them in some others, 1st time buyer numbers have remained the same for the last 2 years.

Whereas 15 years ago, there were over 500,000 1st time buyers each year. However, in 2015 this had dropped to only around 300,000 new first time buyers, despite the significant amount of government support for home ownership, reflecting the disproportionate rise in house prices compared to growth in average incomes.

Terrie Alafat, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing, said:- "The cost of housing means that millions of people are struggling to access a decent home at a price they can afford despite new government schemes to support home ownership.  We need housing policy for the 25% to 30% of the population who will never be able to afford to buy a home of their own. We know the government is committed to increasing the supply of new homes, something CIH welcomes and supports, but it looks like support for any kind of affordable rent is going to fall to very low levels at a time when there is an increasing need for this kind of housing. It's essential that support for home ownership isn't expanded to the detriment of those who cannot buy, even with support."

World War 2 bombs found in Liverpool City Centre!

WE do not yet know what type of World War devices were discovered by construction workers, at a site on Pall Mall, on Monday, 14 March 2016, but it has taken many by surprise. Merseyside Police told us that Bomb disposal officers attended the location and assessed the area, who found 2 devices, using a robot. After making them safe, they then removed them from the area for further examination. Whilst this took place a 200m cordon was set up and neighbouring business premises were evacuated. The site on which they were found is currently a demolition site. The location was last used as a car park, after a Distribution Warehouse closed. At the time of the Blitz, Liverpool was strategically a very important location, so it was pounded over and over again. It was also suffered, as the Prime Minister Winston Churchill said, the "worst civilian bombing in Britain." As the road (Pall Mall) was home, in 1941, to many workshops and warehouses, and because of its city central position and the fact that it was it was located near to the, then active, Exchange Station and the docks, it got hit most nights during that period. We are told that the area was hit by a huge range of German bombs, types ranged from 50kg GP to the 1,800kg GP Satan, 8' 11" long, as well as others like the fragmentation 1,400kg, SAP Fritz, which was designed to send out lots of shrapnel. Countless incendiary devices were dropped over May 1941 on the road and docks; and that is just part of the list. Around 4,000 people were killed in the Merseyside area during the Blitz. This find then, is unsurprising, but it does make you consider how many other bombs might yet be undiscovered? On a happy note, as time goes on, it is less likely we will find many more!  Do you have any information about the Blitz and how it affected Liverpool? Please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.com.