CBI Growth indicator has shown:- "Privet sector activity continued to grow in the 3 months of April 2022"

GROWTH within private sector activity remained steady, +19% from +18% in the quarter to March, according to the CBI's latest Growth Indicator. Activity within consumer services stabilised, after falling in the quarter to March (+3% in the quarter to April from -23%). Business and professional services activity (+22% from +25%) and distribution sales (+25% from +27%) continued to grow solidly in the quarter to April. But growth in manufacturing output slowed somewhat (+19% from +27%). Looking ahead, private sector activity is expected to grow at a similar pace in the next three months (+22%). Within this, consumer services expect a return to growth (+9%) and business and professional services firms expect growth to pick up further (+33%). Manufacturers expect a similar pace of growth (+17%), while distribution firms anticipate growth to slow (+11).

Alpesh Paleja, CBI Lead Economist, said:- "While private sector growth seems resilient so far, near-term challenges are growing. Strong inflationary pressure is hurting businesses through higher costs, and is leading to an acute cost-of-living crunch for households. This will weigh on the economic outlook for this year. While the Chancellor announced support for low-income households in his Spring Statement, this should be kept under review in light of febrile pressures on living standards. To combat rising cost pressures, firms may also require further support prior to the Autumn Budget."

The CBI Growth Indicator is a composite measure of activity, based on responses to CBI surveys. In total, 513 firms responded between 24 March and 13 April 2022.

RMT response to TUC report on rail maintenance cuts

THE RMT's General Secretary, Mick Lynch, has told the press this week that:- "The cutting of 2,500 safety critical maintenance staff is an act of wilful destruction against our railways by the Government. We are not going to be able to run a safe, clean and efficient railway network if staff are being cut to the bone, pay packets are getting smaller and services permanently cancelled. RMT is running a ballot for strike action which could see over 40,000 workers join picket lines to oppose this slash and burn approach to our national infrastructure and cuts to staffing across the network. Our union will fight tooth and nail for our members' interests wherever they work. But we are also fighting for the public's right to a safe and affordable railway system that they can use for work and leisure every day of the week."

Letters to the Editor:- "Graffitti stickers on Bins inside Hesketh Park, Southport"

"I'M shocked by the fact this has gone on for so long. I keep seeing multiple anti-vax stickers on bins, stuff on well + blatant graffitti, it's gone a bit too far. It's ok to make your point, but not to the detriment of leisure users of the park. Please stop destroying our area!" Nicholas Anderson.

Support for healthcare innovators

A support progamme is to be launched to help innovative small companies forge links with the health and social care sector. The Excel in Health series of events will offer expert guidance to small and medium sized enterprises whose products and services could help the NHS and social care sector deliver better care. The series of nine events runs from 11 May to 29 June and is organised by the Innovation Agency, an NHS organisation that promotes the spread and adoption of healthcare innovations. Its enterprise and growth team, which is hosting the event, has exceptionally broad experience in linking creative small companies with health and social care organisations that could benefit from their innovations. The free sessions are for small and start up companies and entrepreneurs based in:- Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and South Cumbria.

The programme will help individuals navigate the complex health and social care system and help them get to grips with new priorities. The sessions will be a mix of online and in person at Sci-Tech Daresbury. Session themes will include: understanding the NHS landscape, developing a value proposition, driving sustainability and an introduction to data.

Indi Singh, the Innovation Agency's Commercial Programme Manager for Cheshire, said:- "Experience tells us there are a lot of innovative small companies in our Region with innovations that could help colleagues in the health and care system and deliver better outcomes for patients. The challenge for these companies is they don't know where to start in trying to contact the system. That's where we can help; we can help open doors and put people in touch with decision makers. The Excel in Health programme will make people better equipped for dealing with the NHS and the social care sector."

The sessions are delivered as part of the Health Matters programme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund, which offers support to small companies including:- 'real world' academic validation of products and services. For full details of the Excel in Health programme and to register visit online.